Lots of good feedback. Thanks guys.

I'm not gonna' go the 8 KW, let alone 10 or 12 KW route, because this is only for emergency use application, and I have no need or interest in fully powering my house for up to a week if the power is out that long (only once in recent years). I also don't want to have to find storage space for a huge generator. Something that tucks away in the corner of the garage would be nice.

I installed a Fireplace extraordinaire that has a blower fan, and it heats the living area really well. So I don't need to power the heat pump that is the main heating system of my house. I think my emergency electric load is pretty small, with the main driver being the momentary surge from the refrigerator and freezer. And my freezer is just a dinky under counter thing, and I'm considering replacing it with a new energy efficient one, but still quite small. During an emergency we can cook with the Coleman stove out on the deck and not use the electric kitchen stove.

It sure is an interesting contrast between the Honda type generators that are expensive per KW and other brands that are all under $1,000 for up to 5.5 KW. Some of those have Briggs & Stratton while others have Chinese gas motors. Generac gets good reviews for performance, but is really noisy, along with Powermate and others. My wife and I really appreciate quiet, so we might spend the extra bucks on a Honda, but haven't decided yet.

Thanks again folks!

Sg