What You Need to Know Before You Purchase a Backup Generator
A backup generator is a good way to avoid inconvenient power outages.
High winds, snow and ice, severe thunderstorms, traffic accidents, and equipment failures are all contributing reasons why we lose power. In this day and age we depend so much on our electricity, anytime we are without it, even if it for a short period of time, it is a major inconvenience.
I have outlined below some of our most common generator sizes, applications, and pricing to help you decide which option is right for you.
Option # 1: Manual Start Generator
PROS
- Lower initial investment
CONS
- This option is very ‘Hands on’. The generator will not start by itself. You must be there to start the generator, plug it in, and flip the switch
- Limited capacity to what it can power
- Very loud
- Need to have gasoline on hand and refill the gas tank on the generator as needed
Total Investment for this Option: $1,650 to have the proper electrical connections and equipment installed into your home. You will also need to purchase a generator from a local home center for approximately $1,000.
Option # 2: Automatic Standby Generator
PROS
- This generator WILL start by itself when needed. This is a ‘Hands off’ option for the homeowner that does not want to be personally involved in operating the generator
- This generator can be sized to handle a few essentials, the entire home, or anywhere in between.
- Powered by natural gas or propane
- This generator will ‘self-exercise’ each week. This means that the generator will run weekly to make sure everything stays in peak working condition, and the generator will start when you need it
CONS
- Higher initial investment
Total Investment for this Option- Depending on size, here are a few of our most popular sizes:
10 KW GENERATOR – This would be enough to power a sump pump, refrigerator, and some lights.
- Supply and install a new Generac automatic transfer switch with 12 circuit panel
- Supply and install a Generac 10 KW air cooled generator
- Wire the generator into the Generac automatic transfer switch
- Level ground with crushed stone and set generator in place on a composite mounting pad
- Start up, test, and review of operation with customer
- Inspection
- Items Not Included – Gas piping and permits
- Total Price: $ 6,450.00
14 KW GENERATOR - This would be enough to power a sump pump, a large refrigerator, septic pump, some lights and receptacles.
- Supply and install a new Generac automatic transfer switch with 14 circuit panel
- Supply and install a Generac 14 KW air cooled generator
- Wire the generator into the Generac transfer switch
- Level ground with crushed stone and set generator on place on a composite mounting pad
- Start up, test, and review of operation with customer
- Inspection
- Items Not Included – Gas piping and permits
- Total Price: $ 6,950.00
17 KW GENERATOR -Options #1: This would be enough to power a sump pump, a large refrigerator, well pump, septic pump, gas furnace, some lights and receptacles.
- Supply and install a new Generac automatic transfer switch with 16 circuit panel
- Supply and install a Generac 17 KW air cooled generator
- Wire the generator into the Generac automatic transfer switch
- Level ground with crushed stone and set generator in place on a composite mounting pad
- Start up, test, and review of operation with customer
- Inspection
- Items Not Included – Gas Piping and permits
- Total Price: $ 7,489.00
17 KW GENERATOR – Option #2: This would be enough to power a sump pump, large refrigerator, well pump, septic pump, gas furnace, lights, and receptacles. In some situations, it may be enough to power a smaller house.
- Supply and install a new Generac 200 Amp service entrance rated automatic transfer switch
- Supply and install a Generac 17 KW air cooled generator
- Wire the generator into the Generac automatic transfer switch
- Level ground with crushed stone and set generator in place on a composite mounting pas
- Start up, test, and review of operation with customer
- Inspection
- Items Not Included – Gas piping and permits
- Total Price: $8,599.00
20 KW GENERATOR – In most situations, this would power a normal sized house.
- Supply and install a new Generac 200 Amp service entrance rated automatic transfer switch
- Supply and install a Generac 20 KW air cooled generator
- Wire the generator into the Generac automatic transfer switch
- Level ground with crushed stone and set generator in place on a composite mounting pad
- Start up, test, and review of operation with customer
- Inspection
- Items Not Included – Gas piping and permits
- Total Price: $ 9,249.00
CONCRETE PAD OPTION
- Supply and install a new concrete pad suitable for the generator
- Total Price: $ 765.00
Interested in Exploring a Generator for Your Home?
Here is our process:
1. We will schedule an in-home consultation to determine your needs and help you decide which option is right for you. During this visit we will discuss:
- How often do you lose power and for how long?
- Are there critical items in your home that need to be powered? Basement sump pump, refrigerator, freezer, furnace, etc.
- We will make helpful recommendations and provide our many years of expertise
2. We will follow up the in home consultation with a detailed proposal listing 1 or 2 options on different size generators.
3. Upon approval and initial deposit, schedule the installation of the generator. Usually the time from your initial call till we actually install the generator is about 3-6 weeks.
