A whole-home standby generator gives you real peace of mind during a Pacific Northwest storm outage — the system detects a power loss, starts automatically, and keeps your essential circuits (or your entire home, depending on sizing) running until utility power returns. Here’s what actually goes into getting one installed.
Sizing the Right Generator
Standby generators are sized in kilowatts, and the right size depends on what you want covered — just the essentials (fridge, well pump, sump pump, a few circuits) or your whole home including HVAC. Your electrician will do a load calculation based on your home’s actual electrical demand rather than a rough guess, since undersizing means the unit can’t handle the load and oversizing means paying for capacity you don’t need.
Choosing a Location and Fuel Source
Standby generators run on natural gas or propane and need to sit on a level pad outside the home, set back from windows, doors, and property lines per manufacturer and code requirements. If you’re on natural gas, your installer will confirm your gas line can supply the generator’s demand alongside your existing appliances; if not, a gas line upgrade may be part of the project.
Why This Is Licensed Electrician (and Gas Fitter) Work
A whole-home generator installation involves connecting to your home’s electrical panel through an automatic transfer switch — the component that safely isolates your home from the utility grid when the generator kicks in, which is critical both for your safety and for utility workers who may be working on the lines during an outage. It also typically involves gas line work. Both pieces require licensed trades and permits, and getting the transfer switch wrong isn’t a small mistake — it can create a dangerous backfeed situation. This is not a homeowner project.
What to Expect From a Professional Installation
Your electrician will size the unit, plan the pad location, coordinate any needed gas line work, mount and connect the automatic transfer switch to your panel, and handle permitting and inspection. Most installations take one to two days depending on scope, and your installer will walk you through startup, testing, and maintenance once it’s complete.
Considering a Standby Generator?
Mauro Electric Inc. installs Generac and other standby generator systems throughout Bothell and the greater Seattle area. Learn more about our generator services or contact us for a sizing consultation. Call 360-653-5300.
