Backup generators (portable and permanently installed standby units) are most commonly used during power outages caused by severe weather, grid failures, and emergency shutoffs.
Below are recent, data-backed statistics that highlight how widespread generator ownership is, what drives usage, and the safety outcomes most closely associated with generator operation.
Key generator usage takeaways
- 29 million Americans are estimated to own a portable generator (survey-based estimate).
- U.S. regulators estimated 21.46 million portable generators were in use in the U.S. (installed stock) in 2021.
- Estimated U.S. portable generator sales in 2021: 2.1 million units.
- A major driver of generator use is outage activity: after major outage events, demand can accelerate for 6–12 months (company-reported market behavior in SEC filings).
- Safety and usage are tightly linked: portable generators are a leading cause of unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) deaths, and many owners underestimate the risk.
Portable generator ownership and market scale (U.S., selected estimates)
| Label | Bar | Value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Americans who own a portable generator (estimate) |
| 29.00 million people | ||
| Portable generators in use (U.S., 2021 estimate) |
| 21.46 million generators | ||
| Portable generator sales (U.S., 2021 estimate) |
| 2.10 million units sold |
Max = 29.00 million. Widths: Americans who own a portable generator 100.00%, Portable generators in use (2021 estimate) 74.00%, Portable generator sales (2021 estimate) 7.24%.
What drives generator use
Outage activity is the biggest driver. When blackout frequency or duration rises, generator use increases immediately (for households that already own units) and demand increases for new purchases. One major manufacturer notes that a rise in major outage events can accelerate purchases during the immediate period after an event and persist for six to twelve months.
Large storm seasons can also create measurable “surge” effects in the generator market. For example, reporting around major U.S. hurricanes in 2024 described widespread power disruption and noted that major storms can materially boost generator sales. In early 2026, reporting on quarterly results for a major generator company tied softer demand to lower outage activity, reinforcing the outage-driven nature of generator usage.
Awareness gaps among portable generator owners (CO risk)
| Label | Bar | Value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don’t feel they/household are at risk of CO exposure from their generator |
| 62% | ||
| Didn’t realize portable generators are a potential source of CO |
| 23% |
Max = 62%. Widths: Don’t feel at risk 100.00%, Didn’t realize CO source 37.10%.
Generator safety outcomes: carbon monoxide (CO) incidents
Carbon monoxide is one of the most important safety dimensions of generator usage because it is odorless and can accumulate quickly if a generator is operated too close to doors, windows, garages, or other openings. A UL Standards & Engagement report notes that CO poisonings send more than 100,000 people to U.S. emergency departments each year and that portable generators are a leading cause of unintentional CO poisoning.
U.S. consumer safety authorities also report that more than 400 people die annually from CO poisoning in the United States and that about 92 of those deaths are linked to portable generators.
Annual U.S. CO deaths: total vs. portable-generator-linked
| Label | Bar | Value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual CO poisoning deaths in the U.S. (all sources) |
| 400+ deaths/year | ||
| Annual CO deaths linked to portable generators |
| ~92 deaths/year |
Max = 400 (minimum). Widths: All CO deaths 100.00%, Portable-generator-linked deaths 23.00%.
Market indicators tied to generator usage
- Regulatory analysis estimated 2021 portable generator industry revenue of $2.1 billion in the U.S. (based on estimated unit sales).
- One global market estimate projects portable generators rising from $5.37B (2025) to $5.57B (2026).
- A global standby generator market estimate places the category at $12.08B (2024) and $12.85B (2025), reflecting continued demand for backup power where outages and reliability concerns persist.
Sources
- UL Standards & Engagement (May 29, 2024) — “New Report: 86 Million Americans Are Unprotected Against Carbon Monoxide Poisoning” — https://ulse.org/news/news-new-report-86-million-americans-are-unprotected-against-carbon-monoxide-poisoning/
- Federal Register (U.S. CPSC) (Apr 20, 2023) — “Safety Standard for Portable Generators” (includes estimates for 2021 sales, revenue, and generators in use) — https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/04/20/2023-07870/safety-standard-for-portable-generators
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (2024) — “CPSC Urges Consumers to Keep Their Guard Up…” (includes “more than 400” annual CO deaths and ~92 linked to portable generators) — https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2024/CPSC-Urges-Consumers-to-Keep-Their-Guard-Up-as-Tropical-Storm-Helene-Continues-its-Path-of-Destruction
- SEC (Generac Holdings Inc. Form 10-Q, quarter ended Mar 31, 2025) — standby penetration discussion (6.5% of addressable market; based on 2023 American Housing Survey framing) — https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1474735/000143774925014767/gnrc20250331_10q.htm
- Reuters (Oct 16, 2024) — “US maker of generators sees demand surge in wake of hurricanes” — https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-maker-generators-sees-demand-surge-wake-hurricanes-2024-10-16/
- Reuters (Feb 11, 2026) — “Generac misses quarterly estimates as weaker outage activity hits generator demand” — https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/generac-misses-quarterly-estimates-weaker-outage-activity-hits-generator-demand-2026-02-11/
- The Business Research Company (Portable Generators Global Market Report) (2026) — market size projection ($5.37B in 2025 to $5.57B in 2026) — https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/portable-generators-global-market-report
- Fortune Business Insights — “Standby Generator Market” (global market sizing for 2024–2025) — https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/standby-generator-market-113533