Installing a backup generator is an excellent safeguard against power outages from storms or accidents that affect your power lines. If you want to power your whole home or even just essential appliances, many experts recommend a standby generator that can kick on in seconds after a power outage.
But with so many generator options to choose from and the importance of safety when working with electrical wiring and a fuel source, installing a backup generator is not simple. It’s essential to find a trusted contractor who can do the job right, keeping your family safe and giving you the peace of mind that you purchased the generator for in the first place. Learn the four key components to generator installation below.
As with any home improvement project, it’s important to choose a reliable and trustworthy contractor to install your generator. Check online reviews, make sure they are licensed in Maryland, and, as most generators require a permit before installation, ask them if they will take care of the permits for you. Choosing a full-service remodeler is an excellent way to ensure that your contractor will take your whole home into account. Full-service remodelers can do jobs all around your house and thus work on a repeat business model prioritizing customer service, rather than one-off projects where customer satisfaction is low on the list of priorities.
Generators are powerful machines. That’s why you can rely on them to power your home! It also means that if you have the wrong size generator, or if it is not installed correctly, you risk shorting out your electrical system and potentially causing expensive permanent damage to wiring and even appliances. On the other hand, if your generator is too small, you won’t have the power that you need for your home. That’s why it’s not a good idea to simply go online or to a big box home improvement store and guesstimate which generator type and size you need. A professional electrician can perform an audit to see exactly what kind of generator will be best for your home.
While it may seem like you can simply purchase a generator and put it in your backyard, in reality, the installation is much more complex. Think about your generator like your car’s engine; you wouldn’t let someone DIY that install. It takes skill and experience to safely and effectively connect a generator to your home’s electrical system. Depending on the type of fuel your generator will use, a certified gas professional may also be needed for the install. Additionally, your generator must sit on a solid and level surface. That usually means that a concrete or compressed gravel pad will need to be installed. An experienced crew will create this platform, potentially digging a trench for wiring or gas lines and carefully transporting and placing the generator on the new pad.
Skilled labor is an essential aspect of standby generator installation, but you also need to account for the materials and machinery involved. In addition to the generator itself, a transfer switch is required. This device recognizes the status of your utility power, switches from utility to backup power, and in most cases, starts the generator automatically. Your installer will also need wire, conduit, piping, concrete or stone, and more to safely put the generator into the ground and attach it to the fuel source and home electrical system. Additionally, an electrician will need to do work inside your home, likely installing a circuit breaker to safeguard your home’s electrical circuits and a subpanel that distributes power from the generator.
Our teams of master tradespeople have been improving Maryland homes for over 35 years, and our electrical team brings the same dedication to quality and responsive service that we have come to be known for. When we install a generator, we follow a simple three-step process:
If you are considering installing a generator at your home, our master electricians can help. Schedule a consultation, and we will guide you through the process of safeguarding your home against an electrical outage.