Standby generators in Hampstead and Pender County
Generator help north of Wilmington along US 17 and inland toward Rocky Point and Burgaw.
Hampstead is an unincorporated community in Pender County about 17 miles northeast of Wilmington on US 17, with 7,016 residents at the 2020 census. Homes range from waterfront lots on Topsail Sound to golf-course neighborhoods and rural properties, and much of inland Pender County is farmland and forest.
How hard did Florence hit Pender County?
According to the National Hurricane Center's report on Florence, about 97 percent of customers in Pender County lost power. Inland flooding also closed roads for days, which slowed both repair crews and fuel deliveries.
Permits in Pender County
Pender County's Inspections and Permitting Department enforces the state building code, including electrical, plumbing and mechanical installations. You can apply at its Burgaw office, at the Hampstead Annex or online through the county's PORT system.
What's different out here
- Propane is common. Many homes have no gas main, so tank size and placement are part of the plan.
- Private wells and septic pumps. Both stop without power, so they usually belong on the generator.
- Longer drives. Ask how quickly an installer can reach you for service after a storm.
- Waterfront lots. Homes near the sound may face the same flood elevation questions as beach houses.
Common questions
Where do I get a generator permit in Hampstead?
From Pender County Inspections and Permitting, either at the Hampstead Annex, the Burgaw office or online through PORT. Your installer usually applies.
Should my well pump be on the generator?
Usually, yes. Without power a private well can't deliver water, so the pump is one of the first loads most rural owners want covered.
Services in Hampstead
- Standby generator installationNew whole-house or essential-circuit generators, sized to your home and set to start on their own.
- Transfer switchesAutomatic and manual transfer switches that safely connect a generator to your house wiring.
- Natural gas and propane hookupsGas piping, meter upgrades and propane tank connections to fuel a standby generator.
- Generator maintenanceScheduled service: oil, filters, battery, plugs and a test under load before storm season.
- Generator repairDiagnosis and repair when a standby generator won't start, won't transfer or shuts down.
Nearby areas
Tired of losing power every time a storm rolls up the Cape Fear?
Call and a local installer will talk through what a standby generator would take at your house.