My situation won’t help you, but maybe others just looking for temporary, partial power.
I have a Generac Guardian series 8KW back up generator that runs on propane. We can’t get natural gas. We already had a large propane tank.
We have a small ranch home. I decided to go with this generator for its fuel consumption. Being a single cylinder engine, it burns HALF the fuel of a twin cylinder. A MAJOR consideration for us.
We made some sacrifices to do this, but for relatively short periods of time, we lack for nothing.
Being a HVAC contractor, I was able to install it myself. In fact I was able to modify the panel cover to accept 2 more circuits since the 8 & 10 circuit units used the same exact panel box. I just had to buy 2 additional breakers.
I have two battery backup units, (APC), on computers/electronics so during the few seconds delay while switching power sources, my computers/electronics don’t turn off.
We do without: electric clothes dryer, automatic dishwasher, air conditioning, one non-essential bathroom circuit, many non-essential wall receptacles, non-essential basement/workshop circuits
We DO power our LP heat, water/well pump, LP water heater, LP stove/oven, refrigerator, freezer, kitchen receptacles, ALL TVs and electronics, all overhead lighting, outside lights.
Bear in mind that these items don’t all run at the same time. Upon initial startup the draw did almost stall the engine, but everything had been off for a long time, so many things did start up at the same time. It DID handle it though.
The generator cycles itself every Wednesday, so we feel comforted when we hear it, knowing it is standing by, ready to leap into action when needed.
It is fairly quiet. It sounds like a small lawnmower.
We bought it at Home Depot during their annual no interest promotion. We bought it on time and made payments, and never paid a Dime in interest.
It took me some time to install it, but I actually enjoyed doing it.
No more refueling the gasoline generator (while hot and running), running a myriad of extension cords and power strips, (which also have to be put away), and we had NO WATER as the water pump was 230 volts.
Now when the power goes out, we go hmmmm, the power is off, WHO CARES!
I always think about resale value of the house too, not that I plan to move anytime soon... but I have moved 6 times in the last 20 years, so it's always on my mind. I want anything that's done to be to code and legit so I don't have any issues if I sell the place down the road.