Guides

How Long Does Generator Installation Take? A Realistic TimelineHow long generator installation actually takes, from load calculation and permitting through inspection, and what speeds it up or slows it down.Process Generator Transfer Switches: Types, Costs, and What to Ask Your InstallerThe three types of residential transfer switches, typical costs per type, and the questions to ask your installer before choosing one.Cost Does a Standby Generator Add Value to Your Home?A standby generator can add 3 to 5 percent to your home's resale value, but only in the right market with a permitted installation. Here is what appraisers actually consider.Cost Natural Gas vs. Propane Generator: Which Fuel Should You Choose?Natural gas runs as long as your utility service is up, propane works anywhere but needs an on-site tank. Which fits your situation.Fuel Type How to Size a Whole-Home Generator (Sizing Calculator + Guide)How generator sizing actually works, the three common capacity tiers, and how to get a real load calculation instead of a square-footage guess.Sizing Generator Fuel Consumption: What Actually Determines ItWhat actually determines a generator's fuel consumption: load, fuel type, and tank size, and what to ask your installer about your specific model.Fuel Type Standby vs. Portable Generators: Which One Fits Your HomeStandby generators start automatically and cost more upfront, portables cost less but need manual setup every outage. Side-by-side comparison.Comparison Generator Permit Requirements: What Texas and Florida Homeowners Need to KnowGenerator permit requirements in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Miami, and Orlando, and why skipping a permit can cause real problems later.Permits Air-Cooled vs. Liquid-Cooled Generators: What's the DifferenceAir-cooled and liquid-cooled generators differ in cost, noise, and capacity. See which one fits a typical home versus larger or light-commercial systems.Sizing Backup Power for Medical Equipment: What to KnowWhat to know about generator transfer gaps, utility medical baseline programs, and what to tell your installer if you rely on electrically powered medical equipment.Safety Generators for Well Pumps and Sump PumpsWhy well pumps and sump pumps need special attention in a generator load calculation, and what to tell your installer if you have either.Sizing Generator Maintenance: What a Standby System Actually NeedsAnnual maintenance schedule for standby generators, break-in service after installation, what a professional visit includes, and typical service costs.Maintenance Generator Installation Cost by City: 2026 Local Price GuideTypical whole-home generator installation costs in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Miami, and Orlando, and why Florida runs higher than Texas.Cost Generator Warranties: What's Actually CoveredGenerator warranties explained: what the manufacturer warranty covers by component, what it excludes, how major brands compare, and how extended service contracts and home warranty add-ons differ.Warranties Power Outage Preparedness: A Practical ChecklistA practical checklist for before, during, and after a power outage, including generator, food-safety, and carbon-monoxide safety basics.Preparedness Generator Installation Checklist: What to Ask Before You Sign a QuoteThe questions to ask before signing a generator installation quote, and the red flags that mean it's time to walk away.Process Whole House Generator Cost: What You'll Actually Pay in 2026See typical whole-house generator costs in 2026, including equipment, installation, transfer switches, permits, and the factors that affect pricing.Cost Is a Standby Generator Worth the Cost? A Practical ROI GuideCompare the annualized cost of owning a standby generator against what outages actually cost your household. A practical break-even framework for homeowners.Cost Where Can You Place a Standby Generator? Site Requirements ExplainedWhere a standby generator can and cannot be placed: required clearances, concrete pad basics, HOA rules, fuel line routing, and what a site survey covers.Process Standby Generator Insurance: What Homeowners Need to KnowHow homeowners insurance classifies a standby generator, what standard policies cover and exclude, and the one endorsement that fills the mechanical breakdown gap.Ownership Standby Generator Troubleshooting: What to Check Before Calling a ProWhat homeowners can safely check in under 5 minutes before calling a pro: control panel mode, battery, fuel supply, ATS status, and how to read fault alarm codes on Generac and Kohler generators.Maintenance How to Finance a Standby Generator InstallationCompare dealer financing, HELOCs, personal loans, and cash for paying for a standby generator, and what to check before comparing offers.Cost Generac vs. Kohler vs. Cummins: How to Choose a Standby Generator BrandSide-by-side comparison of Generac, Kohler, Cummins, Champion, and Briggs and Stratton home standby generators: power range, remote monitoring app, warranty, dealer network, and typical unit cost.Comparison Generator Remote Monitoring: What the Apps Actually DoWhat Generac Mobile Link, Kohler OnCue, and other remote monitoring systems actually do, what they cost, and what to ask your installer before buying.Maintenance How Loud Is a Standby Generator? Noise Levels, Reduction Strategies, and Neighbor ConsiderationsHow loud standby generators actually are (66-72 dB at 23 ft), five strategies to reduce noise, how to set the weekly exercise cycle, and what to know about HOA rules and neighbor relations.Ownership What's Included in a Standby Generator Installation: A Scope BreakdownWhat a turnkey installation covers A whole-home standby generator installation is a turnkey project: a licensed...Process What Size Generator Do You Need for Your HomeWhy square footage alone doesn't determine generator size, and the three common sizing tiers based on which circuits you want backed up.Sizing How to Find a Licensed Generator Installer Near YouWhy license verification is the first step Not every business advertising generator installation holds an active...Process Generator Installer Red Flags: 7 Warning Signs to Walk Away FromWhy this matters more than most home projects A standby generator is a permanent electrical installation connected to...Process How Many Generator Quotes Do You Need? (And How to Compare Them)The short answer: 2–3 quotes minimum For a standby generator installation that typically costs $8,000–$15,000 all-in,...Process

Generator cost guides by state

Real installer- and city-reported pricing for 50 states.