Standby generator installation
A permanently installed generator that starts by itself when the power goes out. Here's how a Wilmington-area installation comes together.
A home standby generator is a fixed engine-driven generator set on a pad outside, fueled by natural gas or propane and tied into your electrical service through a transfer switch. Unlike a portable unit, it doesn't need refueling from gas cans, it doesn't sit in a garage, and it starts on its own.
How is a generator sized?
The installer lists what you want to run during an outage and adds up both the running load and the extra current motors draw when they start. Central air conditioners and well pumps are usually the deciding factors. Many Wilmington homes have heat pumps, which also matter in a winter outage. The result determines the generator size and whether a load-management module makes sense.
Where can the generator go?
- Outside, on a level pad, with the manufacturer's clearances from windows, doors, vents and other openings
- Close enough to the electric meter and gas meter or propane tank to keep wiring and piping runs reasonable
- Out of low spots where water collects after heavy rain
- In a flood zone, raised on a platform; FEMA guidance is to elevate fuel system equipment above the flood elevation used for your building
- Within any HOA rules about screening and placement
What should a quote include?
- The generator's rated output and the fuel it will use
- The transfer switch type and amperage, and whether it covers the whole house or a subpanel
- Who handles the electrical and gas permits and inspections
- Pad, gas piping, any propane tank work, and start-up testing
- Warranty terms and what first-year service is included, if any
Coastal wear
Salt air is hard on metal enclosures and connections, especially on the barrier islands and along the Intracoastal Waterway. Ask about enclosure materials and how often the unit should be inspected for corrosion where you live.
The installer prices the job after learning about your house, your electrical panel and your fuel supply, and usually after a site visit. We don't quote prices, and any figure given over the phone is only a rough starting point until someone has seen the property.
Where we connect you with help
- Wilmington
- Carolina Beach and Kure Beach
- Leland and northern Brunswick County
- Hampstead and Pender County
Common questions
How long does a standby generator installation take?
The on-site work is often a day or two, but permits, inspections and gas utility scheduling can stretch the whole project over several weeks. Start well before hurricane season.
Can a standby generator run central air?
Yes, if it's sized for it. Air conditioners draw a surge when they start, so the installer has to account for that in the load calculation.
Related services
More background: Wilmington standby generator guide.
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.