My power is always off for a short time too it seems. Until now. I've had 1 and now 2 generators since 2007 and have never got to really work them out, until now. Day 3 is in the books and heading to day 4 without power.I have thought about buying a generator, and my wife keeps wanting a whole house, automagic generator... but the truth is our power seems to usually be back on quickly. Even the big ice storm several years ago when people were without power for a week or more, I think ours was off for about an hour. In fact I can't remember it ever being off more than about 3 hours. So I've never bought one, unfortunately that time you DO need it, you can't just run out and buy one then.
My mother has a whole house Generac backup. Hers has never run for more than a couple of hours and then only a couple of times I think. Until today. I went over and checked on things as she's in the hospital and it had been running for 6 hours. Sure is nice that the garage door and every light in the house still works. My next house will have one for sure.