What size generator does my property need?

Generator size depends on the combined wattage of circuits you want backed up, with common residential systems ranging from 14 kW for essential circuits only to 24 kW for whole-home coverage including central air conditioning.

How is the generator connected to my electrical system?

An automatic transfer switch is installed at the main panel, monitoring utility voltage and switching selected circuits to generator power when an outage is detected, then reconnecting to utility power once it returns.

When should generator maintenance be scheduled?

Annual maintenance before severe weather seasons ensures the system will start reliably during storms, and includes oil changes, air filter replacement, battery testing, and a load test to verify power output under actual operating conditions.

Why do generators require transfer switches instead of direct panel connections?

Transfer switches prevent backfeeding, which occurs when generator power flows backward through the meter into utility lines, creating lethal voltage on downed lines and preventing safe utility restoration work.

What fuel options are available for backup generators in Mt. Washington?

Natural gas generators connect to existing utility gas lines for unlimited runtime, while propane generators use tank storage and require periodic refueling, with tank size determining maximum outage duration before refilling is needed.

Generator Installation and Maintenance

Severe weather events and unexpected utility failures leave properties without power for hours or days, and grid restoration prioritizes different areas unpredictably. Backup generators restore power to essential circuits automatically when utility voltage drops, keeping heating systems, refrigeration, medical equipment, and communication devices operational. Mingus Electric installs and maintains backup generators in Mt. Washington as an authorized Generac and Kohler installer, handling generator sizing, electrical integration, fuel connections, and transfer switch installation so the system activates correctly during outages.

Generator installation involves calculating which circuits require backup power, sizing the generator to handle that combined load, installing an automatic transfer switch that isolates the home from the utility during generator operation, connecting fuel lines, and testing the system under load to confirm proper startup and circuit transfer. Generators require periodic maintenance including oil changes, filter replacement, and load bank testing to verify performance before an actual outage occurs.

Discuss your property layout and critical power requirements to determine appropriate generator sizing and placement.

Generator systems require a transfer switch installed between the utility meter and the main panel to prevent backfeeding power into utility lines, which creates electrocution hazards for line workers, and to automatically start the generator when utility voltage is lost. Generator sizing accounts for startup surge current from motors and compressors, not just steady-state running watts, because undersized generators stall when multiple high-draw appliances start simultaneously.

After installation, the generator starts automatically within seconds of a power loss, selected circuits remain energized without manual switching, and the system shuts down and reconnects to utility power once grid voltage is restored. You notice heating systems continue running during winter outages, refrigerators and freezers maintain safe temperatures during extended power loss, and sump pumps operate during storms when utility power is most likely to fail.

Generator service includes sizing calculations, transfer switch installation, fuel line connections, startup testing, and instruction on the control panel. Annual maintenance includes oil and filter changes, battery checks, and exercise cycles under load, but does not include fuel supply beyond the initial connection or repairs to appliances powered by the generator.

What size generator does my property need?
Generator size depends on the combined wattage of circuits you want backed up, with common residential systems ranging from 14 kW for essential circuits only to 24 kW for whole-home coverage including central air conditioning.
How is the generator connected to my electrical system?
An automatic transfer switch is installed at the main panel, monitoring utility voltage and switching selected circuits to generator power when an outage is detected, then reconnecting to utility power once it returns.
When should generator maintenance be scheduled?
Annual maintenance before severe weather seasons ensures the system will start reliably during storms, and includes oil changes, air filter replacement, battery testing, and a load test to verify power output under actual operating conditions.
Why do generators require transfer switches instead of direct panel connections?
Transfer switches prevent backfeeding, which occurs when generator power flows backward through the meter into utility lines, creating lethal voltage on downed lines and preventing safe utility restoration work.
What fuel options are available for backup generators in Mt. Washington?
Natural gas generators connect to existing utility gas lines for unlimited runtime, while propane generators use tank storage and require periodic refueling, with tank size determining maximum outage duration before refilling is needed.

Backup Power Ready Before Outages Happen