That's funny.
I had one of those $500 backup generators for years. Used it once for a week or so, but the damned thing was so noisy I didn't have the guts to put it outside. I finally put it in the downstairs fireplace with the exhaust vented up the chimney, put a large fan on it, and then stacked bundles of insulation up to the ceiling.
What a nuisance. Finally bought a smaller, much quieter one and dragged that big monster to the farm.
Let us know how well it worked for them. I hope to god they don't live in an apartment.
Arf