Good question. I have to run my generator all the time. And then a/c cycles on and off as needed according to the thermostat on the wall. I don't think you'd be able to have the thermostat turn the generator on. Maybe somebody makes something fancy to do that? The deisel generator you have to hold on the start button for a few moments to get the glow plugs heated up before it cranks over. I don't think it's a huge thing tho, running the generator all the time. Mine is a Onan 8k quiet diesel. I think it uses .5 gallons an hour under half load and 1.02 gallons/hr under full load. Full load on mine is 65 amps. I doubt I'll ever be able to draw that. I think it might be better for the generator to keep it running all the time too, no heat up and cool down cycles on it. A good one is made to run long hours.