How to Install a Whole House Generator: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
A step-by-step look at how professional standby generator installation really works, from site survey to final inspection.
Permits, code requirements, transfer switches, and what to expect from a professional installation.
A step-by-step look at how professional standby generator installation really works, from site survey to final inspection.
Natural gas offers unlimited runtime if you have a service line, while propane works anywhere but needs a tank and periodic refills — here is how to choose.
Generator noise is regulated by a patchwork of local ordinances covering decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and property line distances.
Sizing a standby generator correctly means adding up running watts, accounting for appliance startup surges, and deciding what you actually want to power.
The automatic transfer switch is the component that makes standby generators safe and hands-free — here is what it actually does and why code requires one.
Some site prep work can be DIY, but the electrical and gas connections on a standby generator almost always require licensed, permitted professional work.
From undersizing the unit to skipping permits, these are the recurring mistakes that turn a straightforward generator project into a costly headache.
Almost every standby generator installation requires an electrical permit, and often a mechanical or gas permit too — here is what that actually involves.
An outdated, undersized, or non-compliant electrical panel can add cost and time to a generator project — here is when an upgrade is actually required.
A thorough generator installation follows a predictable sequence of steps — use this checklist to confirm your electrician isn't skipping any of them.
Most HOAs cannot ban standby generators outright, but they can and do regulate placement, screening, and noise — here is how to navigate that approval process.