Home generators can keep your refrigerator, sump pumps, furnace, and lights operational when power outages occur. Having these units professionally installed ensures the generator, natural gas line, and transfer switch are properly configured for safe operation.
Your professional will build a pad for the generator to sit on, and if necessary, get a permit from your local building department. They will also talk to your plumber and electrician about their experience working with outdoor gas lines and generators.
A whole-house generator ensures you have a reliable backup power source in the event of a blackout. It will automatically switch on when the grid goes down and off when it returns. This can ease your stress during power outages and make it possible for you to prepare food, charge devices or use home medical equipment like CPAP machines.
You can get a portable generator that runs on gasoline or one that uses propane or natural gas to provide backup power. A professional can help you determine what size generator is right for your home based on the wattage requirements of the appliances and tools you want to keep running during an outage. Some generators also have surge watts that are required to start appliances like air conditioners, sump pumps or refrigerator motors. These watts are usually 3 or 4 times the running watts, and you will need to calculate them into your total wattage requirement.
The type of generator will also affect how easy it is to install, and the contractor can advise you on this. Portable units need to be located at least a safe distance from the house and other structures, while standby and inverter generators can be installed inside the home or near the electrical panel, where they can connect directly to your existing breaker box through a transfer switch. A contractor will work with your homeowners association or community to find a suitable location for the generator and ensure that it meets any restrictions. They will also work with your local building department to obtain a permit if necessary.
A good contractor will have a track record of customer satisfaction and will be willing to share customer referrals. They will also be licensed and insured, as this is required by the state for projects of this type. You can check online to see how long they have been in business and read reviews, which will give you a sense of their customer service. If you have any concerns, contact the Better Business Bureau to see how they handle complaints.
Preparing Your Home for Installation
A home generator is a wonderful investment that provides peace of mind during power outages. But before you can enjoy the benefits of this backup power, it must be installed and properly maintained. The installation process can seem overwhelming, but a professional licensed electrician can make it a stress-free experience.
The first step in the process is preparing your home for installation. A whole house generator will need a dry, covered area to sit, as well as a way to connect it to your fuel source—either natural gas line or liquid propane/gasoline tank. The best option is to pour a concrete pad where the generator will sit. This will ensure that the generator stays dry, is easy to hook up to your fuel source, and that it can be easily moved when necessary. A licensed electrician will also install a transfer switch, which electrically isolates the circuits in your home that you want to run on the generator from those that are connected to the electric grid.
Choose a location for the generator that is close to your home’s electrical panel to minimize the length of electrical wires that will need to be run. Also consider how much load you intend to place on your generator—the more appliances you plan to run, the bigger the generator you will need. Also be sure to calculate the starting wattages of motor-driven appliances (like furnaces and refrigerators).
Most municipalities require a building permit for the installation of home generators, so be sure that your chosen installer will be able to obtain one within the required time frame. Additionally, you may need to check with your homeowners’ association to see if they have any concerns.
Once your generator is delivered via curbside lift-gate service, you will need to clear the area where it will be installed of any debris, gardening equipment, vehicles, or other items that could obstruct the installation process. Your licensed electrician will then prepare the generator to be integrated into your home’s electrical system, and test the generator for proper function before connecting it to your fuel source.
Installing the Generator
A generator will be installed outside your home and needs to be at least five feet away from any windows, doors, or soffit vents (check local building codes for exact requirements). The generator must also sit on a solid surface that can support the weight and vibrations it produces during operation. Brothers uses a concrete pad specifically for this purpose, and we can help you select the right spot for your generator.
The generator will need to be connected to your home’s electrical system through a transfer switch, which must be installed by a licensed electrician. It’s also important to connect the generator to your fuel source, which is typically a propane tank.
Once the gas and electrical connections are made, the transfer switch will be activated to shift your home’s power from the utility company to your generator during a power outage. The generator will then start running and provide electricity to your critical circuits. Then, it will shut itself off once the power returns to your home.
Your installer will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to ask the electrician or plumber for clarification. They will likely appreciate your level of engagement throughout the installation.
A home backup generator will ensure that your appliances and safety systems continue to work, keeping you and your family comfortable during a power outage. A professional installer will guide you through the process of selecting a generator that meets your power needs and installing it properly. They will also provide a thorough initial testing of the generator, making sure it works as intended and provides adequate power during an outage. And, they will take care of any necessary permits. Depending on the jurisdiction, this may require a bit of patience but will be worth it in the end! The best part? A generator will save you money on energy bills in the long run. The more you use the generator, the greater the savings will be. Get started on your home generator installation today!
Testing the Generator
Home generators provide a valuable service in that they can help keep your family safe and comfortable during power outages. However, these devices can be dangerous when improperly installed or used. That’s why it’s important to work with a local electrical company that knows how to safely install and use home standby generators.
This is a process that involves running a series of tests on your generator to ensure it can handle the load and deliver reliable, consistent electricity during an emergency. The first step is to turn on the generator and allow it to warm up to its normal operating temperature. It’s also necessary to check the oil level, fuel tank, and coolant tank for any signs of abnormality before continuing.
After the generator is warmed up, our electricians will connect a heavy-duty, waterproof electrical cable to it. This will run from the generator to where your main electrical panel is located. They will then install something called a transfer switch, which sends power from the generator to your home when the switch is activated during a power outage.
The next step is to perform a load test. This is done by connecting the generator to a variable load bank, which simulates various power demands on the generator. The test begins at 25% load and then increases incrementally to 50%, 75%, and 100% load over a set period of time. The result is a record of how the generator performed under these different conditions and provides confidence that it will be able to reliably operate in a real power outage.
How often you need to do a load test will vary depending on the guidelines of your generator’s manufacturer and the regulations of the area where your home is located. In general, though, it’s a good idea to do one every year or so, and more frequently if your generator is used for critical applications like powering healthcare facilities and hospitals. Once the test is complete, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for cooling down the generator and load bank.