I did generators 2 years ago and have actually had to use them since then. There was a 3 day power outage back in late winter or early spring of 2012 and I had to empty my referigerator out. Phuk that. Storms come through here and knock overgrown tree limbs into power lines becaues the idiots in my neighborhood don't keep their trees properly trimmed.I will be buying one this summer, probably around the same time as a generator.
Just watch. Next year it'll be 35 and sunny every day all winter.
Have used the generators once in the winter, that's real nice - now able to run heat in the house and not freeze. Being able to run the house AC in the warmer months is nice, but no comparison to not having to freeze in the winter months. A generator is a real good thing to have around.