So you’ve decided a home standby generator is the right move. Smart call — especially if you’ve spent any time in Baldwin County after a major storm.

Now comes the question that trips up a lot of homeowners: What size do I actually need?

It’s one of the most important decisions in the whole process, and it’s one that’s worth getting right. A generator that’s too small will struggle to power your home and wear out faster. A generator that’s oversized will cost more than necessary upfront and run inefficiently.

Here’s how to think through it — the way a professional would.

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Every year, as hurricane season approaches, the same debate plays out in driveways and hardware store aisles from Foley to Fairhope.

Someone picks up a portable generator, loads it in their truck, and figures that’s enough. Maybe it is. Maybe it isn’t. The answer depends on your home, your family, your budget, and honestly — what kind of storm experience you’re willing to accept.

Here’s an honest, side-by-side look at both options so you can make the right call before the next storm has a name.

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The lights flicker. The AC goes quiet. The hum of the refrigerator stops.

If you live on the Gulf Coast, you know that feeling. And in the seconds after it happens, most people do one of two things: grab their phone to check the Alabama Power outage map, or walk outside to see if the neighbors are dark too.

Both are reasonable. But there’s a lot more you should be doing — especially if the outage is storm-related and could last days instead of hours.

Here’s a practical, step-by-step guide for what to do the moment — and the days after — the power goes out in Baldwin County.

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