A home standby generator can keep important electrical systems running when utility power goes out, but choosing and owning one comes with plenty of questions.
What size generator does your home need? Can it power the whole house? Where can it be installed? How often does it need maintenance? And what actually happens when an outage occurs?
If you’re considering standby generator installation for your Louisville or Kentuckiana home, this FAQ covers some of the questions homeowners commonly ask before and after installation.
What Is a Home Standby Generator?
A home standby generator is a permanently installed backup power system designed to provide electricity when utility power is unavailable.
Unlike a portable generator that has to be moved into position and manually connected, a standby system remains installed outside the home and works with an automatic transfer switch.
When utility power fails, the system can detect the outage, disconnect the home’s selected electrical loads from the utility source and begin supplying generator power. When utility service returns, the system transfers the home back to utility power and shuts down.
What Size Standby Generator Do I Need?
There isn’t one generator size that’s right for every home.
Proper sizing depends on what you want to keep powered during an outage and the electrical demand of those loads. A homeowner who wants to operate a refrigerator, lights and a few essential circuits has different needs from someone who wants backup power for HVAC equipment, multiple appliances and most of the home.
Generator sizing may consider equipment such as HVAC systems, refrigerators and freezers, well or sump pumps, lighting, kitchen appliances, home offices, medical equipment and other circuits that are important during an outage.
This is why generator sizing should be based on an evaluation and load calculation rather than choosing a unit solely based on the square footage of the home.
Can a Standby Generator Power My Entire House?
It can, depending on the generator, electrical system and the amount of power your home requires.
Some installations are designed primarily for selected essential circuits. Others can support much more of the home.
A whole-home approach doesn’t necessarily mean every electrical device should operate simultaneously during an outage. The generator and electrical system still have limits, and certain installations may use load-management strategies to prioritize equipment.
During the planning process, it helps to decide which systems are essential to you so the generator can be sized around the way you actually want to use it.
How Much Does Home Generator Installation Cost?
There is no meaningful one-size-fits-all installation price because every property is different.
Cost can be affected by the generator selected, electrical capacity, generator location, transfer equipment, fuel source, site preparation, permitting requirements, distance between the generator and utilities, and other property-specific factors.
A site evaluation provides a much more accurate picture than estimating generator installation from equipment price alone.
Where Is a Standby Generator Installed?
Standby generators are installed outdoors in a location that meets manufacturer instructions and applicable codes and regulations.
Placement matters because a generator produces engine exhaust and heat during operation. Required clearances can depend on the specific generator, nearby doors and windows, building construction and local requirements.
The site also needs to accommodate electrical connections, fuel supply, service access and the physical footprint of the equipment.
This is one reason generator placement should be planned as part of the installation rather than simply choosing an unused spot beside the house.
Our guide to standby generator safety tips goes deeper into safe placement and operation.
What Fuel Does a Home Standby Generator Use?
Many residential standby systems operate on natural gas or propane.
Which option makes the most sense depends on the property, available utilities, generator model and the amount of fuel the system requires.
The fuel system needs to be properly sized for the generator. In some situations, existing gas service or equipment may need to be evaluated before installation.
That should be determined during the planning process rather than assuming an existing fuel supply can support the added demand.
Will I Need to Upgrade My Gas Meter or Fuel Supply?
Possibly.
Adding a standby generator can significantly increase fuel demand when the generator is operating. Whether modifications are needed depends on the generator, the home’s existing appliances, available fuel supply and existing service capacity.
The appropriate fuel-supply professionals or utility may need to evaluate the property as part of the installation process.
I would remove the current article’s statement that a gas-meter upgrade is usually “simple and inexpensive.” The actual work and cost can vary too much from one home to another.
Do I Need a Permit for a Standby Generator?
Permanent standby generator installations can be subject to electrical, mechanical, zoning, fuel and other local requirements depending on the jurisdiction and scope of work.
That makes permitting part of the planning process rather than something homeowners should try to determine from a general online checklist.
Professional installation helps ensure the generator, transfer equipment and associated electrical work are completed according to the applicable requirements for the property.
What Is an Automatic Transfer Switch?
The automatic transfer switch is a critical part of a standby generator system.
Its job is to safely transfer the home’s electrical supply between utility power and generator power.
When utility service fails, the transfer switch allows the generator to supply the circuits the system was designed to back up. When utility power returns, it switches the home back to the utility.
That separation is also important because generator power should never be allowed to feed back onto utility lines.
Does a Standby Generator Start Automatically?
Yes, properly configured automatic standby systems are designed to respond when utility power is lost.
You generally do not have to be home to start the generator manually.
That can be especially valuable when an outage occurs while you’re traveling, at work or otherwise away from the house.
Automatic operation can help maintain power to important equipment without requiring someone to retrieve, fuel and connect a portable generator during severe weather.
How Loud Is a Home Standby Generator?
Noise levels vary by manufacturer, model, generator size, operating load and installation location.
Rather than using one general decibel range for every standby generator, check the published specifications for the particular system being considered.
Placement can also affect how noticeable the generator sounds from inside the home or from neighboring properties.
This is something worth considering during site planning, particularly in neighborhoods where homes are close together.
How Often Does a Standby Generator Need Maintenance?
Follow the maintenance schedule specified for your generator.
Service intervals may be based on time, operating hours or both. Maintenance can involve items such as engine oil, filters, spark plugs, batteries and an overall inspection of the equipment.
A generator can still require maintenance even if your home has experienced very few outages. Standby systems typically perform scheduled exercise cycles, and components can age even when the generator hasn’t accumulated many emergency operating hours.
Our home generator maintenance tips explain routine generator care in more detail.
How Long Does a Standby Generator Last?
There is no single lifespan that applies to every generator.
Service life can depend on generator quality, installation conditions, maintenance history, operating hours, climate, component condition and how the system has been used over time.
Routine maintenance can help protect reliability, but age alone doesn’t determine whether a generator should be replaced.
A professional evaluation is useful when an older generator becomes less reliable, develops recurring problems or no longer meets the home’s backup-power needs.
What Maintenance Does a Generator Need If It Rarely Runs?
A generator that rarely experiences a long outage still needs attention.
Standby generators contain an engine, battery, electrical components and other parts that can deteriorate with time. Scheduled exercise cycles help keep the system ready, but they do not eliminate the need for maintenance.
Homeowners should also pay attention to alerts, unusual sounds, fluid leaks, visible damage or problems during an exercise cycle.
What Should I Do If My Generator Doesn’t Start During an Outage?
First, avoid attempting internal electrical or mechanical repairs unless you are qualified to do so.
A failure to start can have several causes, including battery problems, fuel-supply issues, maintenance conditions, control-system faults or other mechanical or electrical problems.
If the generator displays an error or warning, record the information for the technician. Don’t repeatedly reset a fault without understanding what caused it.
If your generator starts but runs rough, sputters or produces inconsistent power, our guide to generator misfiring and warning signs covers several problems that may require professional service.
How Long Can a Standby Generator Run During an Outage?
The answer depends on the specific generator, available fuel, operating load and manufacturer requirements.
During an extended outage, homeowners should follow the manufacturer’s operating and maintenance instructions. Long periods of operation may require inspections or maintenance based on accumulated run time.
Don’t assume that every standby generator can simply run indefinitely without attention.
Can I Install a Standby Generator Myself?
A permanent standby generator is considerably more involved than placing a portable generator outside.
Installation can involve high-voltage electrical connections, transfer equipment, fuel supply, permitting, equipment clearances, grounding and other code and safety requirements.
The system also needs to be configured so generator power and utility power are transferred safely.
Professional installation helps ensure that the entire system, not simply the generator itself, is designed to work together correctly.
What’s the Difference Between a Standby Generator and a Portable Generator?
The biggest difference is how the systems are installed and operated.
A standby generator is permanently installed and can automatically supply backup power through an automatic transfer system. Portable generators generally require the homeowner to set up and operate the equipment during an outage.
Portable generators also require very careful placement because carbon monoxide from engine exhaust can be deadly.
For homeowners who want automatic backup power without having to set up equipment during severe weather or an outage, a standby generator offers a more integrated solution.
What Should I Consider Before Buying a Standby Generator?
Think first about what you actually want backup power to accomplish.
Do you mainly want to preserve refrigerated food and operate basic lighting? Do you need heat or air conditioning during a long outage? Is there a sump pump, well, medical device or home office that cannot lose power? Do you want selected circuits or broader whole-home coverage?
Those answers help determine generator capacity, electrical design and installation requirements.
A properly planned generator system should be based on your household’s priorities, not simply the largest generator that will fit on the property.
Home Standby Generator Installation in Louisville and Kentuckiana
A standby generator is a long-term part of your home’s electrical system, so proper sizing, placement, installation and maintenance all matter.
Laswell helps homeowners throughout Louisville and Kentuckiana plan dependable backup-power systems based on their property and electrical needs.
If you’re considering a generator, our team can evaluate your home, discuss what you want to keep powered during an outage and recommend an appropriate solution.
Call Laswell at 502-231-6326 to schedule a generator consultation.
