What it is

Unlike a portable generator you wheel out and start by hand, a standby unit sits outside on a dedicated pad, connects to a fuel line (natural gas or propane), and is wired through an automatic transfer switch directly into your home's electrical panel.

When it's needed

• You lose power more than a few times a year, or outages regularly run long.
• You work from home, or someone in the household depends on powered medical equipment.
• You have a sump pump, well pump, or freezer that can't go without power for long.
• You'd rather not deal with fuel storage, extension cords, or manual startup during a storm.

Process

• A site visit to assess your electrical panel, available outdoor space, and fuel access.
• A load calculation to size the generator to what you actually want to keep running.
• Scheduling permits with your local building and electrical authority.
• Pad placement, fuel line connection, and transfer switch wiring.
• Startup testing and a final inspection before handoff.

Cost factors

• Generator size (kW capacity)
• Distance from the generator to the electrical panel and fuel source
• Whether your panel needs upgrading first
• Local permit and inspection fees

Limitations

Standby installation isn't a same-day project — between permitting and equipment lead times, plan for several weeks from signed contract to a working system.

FAQ