I don't disagree with what you wrote.

AFAIK, only the EU line of Honda generators (3kw max) are DC-invertor type gensets. All the rest (the majority of models) are conventional gensets. I have not used any of the EU line myself, but the specs are impressive. However, they are 120v only, so if you need one to power a 220v well pump, this is not a viable option. The majority of domestic well pumps these days are 220v. Likewise, many A/C units (Groo's post comes to mind!) are 220v.

As for frozen food - well, that depends on the household. We will have more than $1,000 worth of frozen food on hand at various times of the year, and usually no less than $300+ worth of frozen food - plus a few hundred in the refers. The genset paid for itself the first time we used it... I have not used it for environmental purposes (forced air furnaces) so far, as we were able to manage with burning wood, pickling portions of the house, etc. My family can manage a few days of expedient camping at -25F (real) that I know of (and wife and I have camped much colder), but it's not a good idea to let a house & contents freeze up, so it's also peace of mind for that potential use. Despite the mild winters we've had lately, it does get nippy from time to time in Northern Illinois.

But everyone's circumstances are different, eh? I don't recomend rushing out and buying a genset, in any event.

Regards,

Tom