Generator Installation

Depends on what you want to run during an outage. A 10-14 kW generator runs critical circuits (heat, refrigerator, sump pump, some lighting, one or two bedrooms). A 20-26 kW unit runs the whole house including air conditioning. We do a load calculation during the assessment to size correctly.

Yes. Annual service including oil change, filter, spark plug, and battery check. We offer maintenance plans that include annual service. Without maintenance, most generators fail within 5-7 years.

Usually yes, if you have enough capacity. Some older gas services need upgrading to handle generator load. Your gas technician can confirm capacity. If not, propane is an alternative with its own tank.

Modern residential units run 65-75 dB at 7 feet, roughly the volume of a running dishwasher. Placement matters for neighbor considerations. We help with placement planning during the assessment.

No. Most standby generators have a 10-15 second delay to confirm the outage is real. A 2-second flicker doesn't trigger it.

Generac is the most common for residential. Kohler is also excellent. Both have good parts availability in the Capital Region. Briggs & Stratton is a solid budget option. We don't push a brand, we recommend based on your needs and budget.

Yes. Propane requires a dedicated tank (we typically recommend 500-1000 gallon for standby use). The propane tank and gas line are installed by your propane company. We handle the electrical side.

Yes, required by code. The transfer switch is what safely isolates your house from the utility grid when the generator is running. Without one, you risk back-feeding power into the grid, which is dangerous for utility workers and illegal.