If I lived here, I would fit an Arduino and a bunch of SSR's to my electrical breaker box.<p>The Arduino would detect use of the generator, and detect load on the generator (with a current clamp), and if the load was too high, start shedding power-hungry devices like electric heaters, driers, ovens, etc.<p>The order of switch off would be programmable, and some devices like fridges or heaters could be programmed to only run on utility power to save money.<p>Total hardware cost of $30 would pay for itself quickly in both saved generation bills as well as a better quality of life, and the design/build cost of a few days would easily be recouped by selling devices to all my neighbours.