We've discussed getting backup power periodically since moving (most of our neighbors have something). After the big bomb cyclone that hit the NPW this became a priority and I did a very similar tradeoff matrix.
Here were some of my consideration points against a generator (I had a list for batteries too):
1. the previous owners electrified the house so having a tank just for a generator didn't make sense
2. per 1, a small tank wouldn't last very long and if we're out of power for multiple days gas delivery is unlikely to be happening anyway.
3. tank + generator didn't have a practical placement location for us
4. smaller portable generators didn't make sense from a maintenance perspective since they didn't auto test.
5. what happens if it fails a self test right before a storm?
6. we get intermittent power cuts / fluctuations / outages throughout the year and the generator + ATS wouldn't protect sensitive electronics well
Edit: ATS + batteries can play nice together then I might look at doing a small portable as aux backup
Here were some of my consideration points against a generator (I had a list for batteries too):
1. the previous owners electrified the house so having a tank just for a generator didn't make sense
2. per 1, a small tank wouldn't last very long and if we're out of power for multiple days gas delivery is unlikely to be happening anyway.
3. tank + generator didn't have a practical placement location for us
4. smaller portable generators didn't make sense from a maintenance perspective since they didn't auto test.
5. what happens if it fails a self test right before a storm?
6. we get intermittent power cuts / fluctuations / outages throughout the year and the generator + ATS wouldn't protect sensitive electronics well
Edit: ATS + batteries can play nice together then I might look at doing a small portable as aux backup