Don’t Let Winter Storms Leave You Powerless: Your Complete Guide to Generator Installation for 2024

As extreme weather events become increasingly common, U.S. consumers experienced approximately 5½ hours of electricity interruptions in 2022, up from 3 hours in 2013. Hurricanes, ice storms, and other weather events are largely to blame, as are smaller, more localized storms that bring down trees and power lines. With winter approaching, now is the perfect time to prepare your home with a reliable backup power solution.

Why Winter Generator Installation Matters

Having a home generator to provide backup power can be helpful, no matter where you live, but it’s downright essential if you live in an area prone to extreme weather and frequent power outages. Winter storms present unique challenges that make backup power especially critical. If you live in a climate that’s consistently very cold and plagued with ice storms, this generator may prove worthwhile to power your furnace and hot water heater, to keep your home warm and your pipes from freezing in the event of a prolonged power outage.

During a power outage, a generator can keep all your necessities running—from the lights, appliances, and heating systems to your air conditioning, sump pumps, and WiFi. It can also help you save money by keeping your food from spoiling and your basement from flooding.

Understanding Your Generator Options

When preparing for winter outages, you have several generator types to consider:

• Standby Generators: Standby generators are permanently installed generators designed to automatically take over for your house power in the event of an outage. You can set them to power your whole house, or only specific circuits, giving you precise control. Standby generators typically provide more than enough power for a single home, but they are the most expensive option and require a professional installation.
• Portable Generators: Portable generators are a more affordable option when only a few vital electrical items are needed during a power outage. These generators are smaller and can be wheeled out of the garage.
• Solar Power Stations: Unlike most portable power stations, the DELTA Pro 3 can connect directly to your home’s electrical panel and kick on automatically within milliseconds of a power outage, allowing it to function as a true whole home back-up.

Professional Installation: Why It Matters

While often a headache, generator permits are a necessity to ensure that all installations are performed properly and safely. Safety and compliance: Generators involve electrical wiring, fuel systems, and combustion engines — all of which pose major risks if not correctly installed. Code enforcement: A generator installation must comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC) as well as local building and zoning codes.

You do need a permit, but you can’t apply for it. Only licensed electrical contractors can apply for a permit to install a generator. Before you begin, ask your contractor to obtain the permit. PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A GENERATOR TO THE PERMANENT WIRING OF THE BUILDING.

Key Installation Considerations for Winter Readiness

Several critical factors must be addressed during installation:

• Fuel Systems: Depending on what kind of generator you buy, you may rely on one, two, or even three types of fuel to keep the power flowing. The default fuel for most generators capable of a full home backup is gasoline, which you will need to periodically refuel by hand. Dual- and tri-fuel generators give you the option to hook your generator up to either a propane or natural gas line, which you won’t need to refuel as often.
• Transfer Switches: You must have a qualified electrician install a manual or automatic transfer switch. A transfer switch permits transfer of the load from the household power source that is normally supplied by the electric utility over to the portable generator. The transfer switch should be certified by UL, CSA, or other independent test lab for this application, and be mounted within an electrical box.
• Placement and Setbacks: Generators must often be installed a certain minimum distance from property lines, windows, and doors to prevent noise and exhaust issues. Many municipalities have regulations that limit the amount of noise a generator can produce, impacting where and what type of generator can be installed.

Choosing the Right Professional for Your Installation

When selecting an electrical contractor for your generator installation brentwood area residents need, experience and reliability are paramount. Marra Electric is a valued Suffolk electrician that has proudly served the local Suffolk community for many years. Their customers range from all over Suffolk County. They know that you need an electrician in Suffolk that not only provides expert electrical experience, but the best customer service.

Marra Electric is owner operated and provides customers with free estimates and upfront pricing. Customer service is their number one priority! Their friendly staff members always show up on time. They are consistently upfront with their prices and no job is too small. They’ve been awarded the Super Service Award from Angie’s List over the past 4 years consecutively.

Planning Your Installation Timeline

Before you can install your generator, you’ll need time to call the utility company, apply for a permit and install tanks or fuel lines. It could take a while to complete those preliminary steps. The best approach is to be patient and ensure you’re doing everything according to code.

The installation process typically includes:

• Site assessment and permit application
• Fuel line installation (if needed)
• Electrical connections and transfer switch installation
• Final inspections and testing

Maintenance and Safety

To keep yourself safe, always use your generator outside, at least 20 feet from your home, with the exhaust directed away from the house. Before you fire up a generator, make sure your residence has working carbon monoxide detectors. Dozens of people die every year from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning related to generators.

An automated self-testing mode checks its readiness on a weekly basis, and the companion app makes remote monitoring and adjustment easy for modern standby systems.

Conclusion

Winter power outages don’t have to leave your family in the cold and dark. Investing in emergency power is never a small investment, but it’s also an important one. With proper planning, professional installation, and the right equipment, you can ensure your home stays warm, safe, and powered throughout the winter months.

Marra Electric can help you select and install the right generator for your home or business to ensure reliable backup power during outages. They guarantee their work and always provide free estimates for all of the jobs that they perform. Don’t wait until the next storm hits—start planning your generator installation today.