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Natural gas generators for home backup

By the Plain Prepper editors. Updated 2026-10-14.

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Quick answer

A natural gas generator runs from your home's gas line, so you do not have to store or haul fuel. There are two kinds. Home standby units are permanently installed and start on their own. Tri fuel portables run on gasoline, propane or natural gas through a quick-connect hose. Expect less power on natural gas: Champion's 13,500 watt tri fuel model is rated 11,000 running watts on natural gas. Have a licensed gas plumber make the connection, and run portables outdoors at least 20 feet from the house.

Two ways to run a generator on natural gas

	Home standby	Tri fuel portable
Fuel	Natural gas or propane, piped in	Gasoline, propane or natural gas
Starts	Automatically, through a transfer switch	By you, when the power goes out
Gas hookup	Permanent line to the unit	Quick-connect hose to an outlet on your gas line
House connection	Automatic transfer switch	Cords, or a transfer switch installed by an electrician

Standby units suit homes that want hands-off backup. See our whole house generator guide for sizing and install. Tri fuel portables suit homes that want a natural gas option without a permanent install, and a generator they can still run on gasoline or propane.

Why output drops on natural gas

The same engine makes less power on natural gas than on gasoline or propane, so makers list a separate rating for each fuel. Champion's 13,500 watt tri fuel model (201241) lists:

Fuel	Starting watts	Running watts
Gasoline	16,875	13,500
Propane	15,000	12,000
Natural gas	13,750	11,000

On natural gas that is 2,500 fewer running watts than on gasoline, about 19% less. Standby units show the same pattern. Generac's 26 kW standby unit is rated 26 kW on propane and 24 kW on natural gas. Its 14 kW Guardian model is rated 14 kW on both. Always size from the natural gas rating if natural gas is your plan.

What a portable hookup involves

Natural gas ready portables connect through a hose kit. Champion's 25 foot natural gas hose (201630) has a tool-free quick-connect coupling and a 3/4 inch NPT adapter for the gas line. The hose and fittings are certified to ANSI Z21.54 and CSA 8.4-1Q/18. Champion includes a 25 foot NG hose kit with its 201241 tri fuel generator.

The hose is the easy part. The gas line outlet it plugs into has to be added to your home's piping, and that is a job for a licensed gas plumber. Westinghouse's tri fuel manual says to consult a licensed professional natural gas plumber for proper installation. It also says:

• Do not route the natural gas hose under a deck, floating patio or other structure. The hose must stay visible.
• Turn off the gas at the supply line when the generator is not in use.
• Check connections for leaks with soapy water, never with a flame.
• Never use a damaged supply line or hose.

Size it to your load

Generac's sizing advice applies here too: match the generator to your peak electrical load, not your square footage. List what must run in an outage and add the running watts. Then add the largest starting load, and compare the total to the natural gas rating, not the gasoline one.

For example, if your list needs about 10,000 running watts, the Champion tri fuel above covers it on natural gas with 1,000 watts to spare. A unit rated 10,000 watts on gasoline would fall short on natural gas. Our generator sizing guide walks through the math.

Safety: same rules, any fuel

Natural gas does not make a portable generator safe indoors. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says to run portable generators outside only, at least 20 feet from the house. Never run one in a garage, basement or shed, even with doors open. It also says to look for a carbon monoxide shut-off. Champion's 201241 has one, which it calls CO Shield. Any connection to house wiring needs a transfer switch, and natural gas leaks are a fire and explosion hazard, so leave both connections to licensed pros.

What to look for when you buy

Questions people ask

Do generators lose power on natural gas?

Yes. Champion's tri fuel 201241 is rated 13,500 running watts on gasoline and 11,000 on natural gas. Generac's 26 kW standby is 24 kW on natural gas.

Can I connect a portable generator to my home's gas line myself?

Westinghouse's manual says to consult a licensed professional natural gas plumber. The plumber adds the gas outlet, and you connect the hose.

Is a natural gas generator safe to run in the garage?

No. CPSC says portable generators must run outside only, at least 20 feet from the house, whatever the fuel.

How long can a natural gas generator run?

As long as the gas supply holds and the engine gets its oil checks and service on the schedule in the owner's manual.

Sources

• 13,500W Electric Start Tri Fuel Generator with CO Shield (201241), Champion Power Equipment
• 25 ft. Natural Gas Hose with Quick Connect (201630), Champion Power Equipment
• iGen8200TFc Owner's Manual, Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment
• Home Standby Generator, 26kW, Transfer Switch Bundle (7328), Generac
• 14kW Guardian Series Home Generator with Transfer Switch (7224), Generac
• What Size Generator Do I Need? Sizing Guide, Generac
• As Winter Storms Threaten Millions in the U.S., CPSC Issues Safety Tips, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Sources checked 2026-10-14.