Never lose power again with a professionally installed standby generator from CERG. Our licensed electricians design and install automatic backup power systems that keep your home or business running during outages.
Whole-Home Standby Generators
Standby generators provide automatic backup power to your entire property. When utility power fails, your generator starts automatically within seconds, powering essential or all circuits until utility power returns.
How Standby Generators Work
Permanently installed outside your home, standby generators connect to your electrical panel through an automatic transfer switch. The system continuously monitors utility power. When an outage occurs, the transfer switch disconnects from utility power, starts the generator, and transfers your electrical load to generator power – all automatically without any action required from you.
Benefits of Standby Generators
Protect your home and family with fully automatic operation, whole-home power coverage, unlimited runtime (when fueled), protection during extended outages, no manual setup or fueling, weatherproof outdoor installation, and weekly self-testing to ensure readiness. Standby generators provide peace of mind knowing your home remains powered no matter what.
Generator Sizing and Selection
Choosing the right generator size is critical for proper operation. Undersized generators can’t power your home adequately, while oversized units cost more than necessary.
Power Requirements Assessment
We calculate your electrical load by identifying essential circuits (refrigerator, freezer, sump pump, medical equipment), comfort systems (heating, air conditioning, hot water), critical circuits (lights, outlets, security system), and optional loads (full house coverage). This analysis determines the generator size needed for your specific requirements.
Generator Size Options
Residential standby generators range from 7.5kW for essential circuits only, 12-14kW for most essential loads, 16-20kW for essential loads plus some comfort, 22-24kW for most or all home circuits, to 30kW+ for complete whole-home coverage. We recommend the optimal size based on your needs and budget.
Generator Fuel Options
Standby generators run on natural gas or propane (LP), each with distinct advantages.
Natural Gas Generators
Connected to your existing natural gas line, these generators offer unlimited runtime, no fuel storage needed, lower operating costs, and convenient fuel supply. Natural gas is ideal if you have gas service and want worry-free operation during extended outages.
Propane (LP) Generators
Propane generators are perfect for homes without natural gas service. Benefits include independence from utility gas, clean burning fuel, long-term fuel storage, and excellent cold weather performance. Propane requires a fuel tank (typically 250-500 gallons) and periodic refilling, but provides reliable power anywhere.
Automatic Transfer Switch Installation
The automatic transfer switch (ATS) is the brain of your backup power system. It monitors utility power, detects outages, starts the generator, transfers your electrical load, monitors generator operation, and reconnects to utility power when it returns.
Transfer Switch Types
We install service entrance transfer switches that power your entire electrical panel, or load center switches for powering selected circuits. The right choice depends on your coverage needs and budget.
Generator Installation Process
Professional installation ensures safe, reliable operation and code compliance.
Site Assessment
We evaluate your property to determine the best generator location, verify fuel availability (natural gas or propane), assess electrical requirements, identify any site challenges, and review local codes and HOA requirements.
Permitting and Approvals
We handle all required permits including electrical permits, building permits (if needed), gas permits for fuel connections, and HOA approvals if applicable. Our experience with local requirements streamlines the approval process.
Installation Steps
Complete installation includes preparing the generator pad (concrete or gravel), setting the generator unit, connecting the fuel line, installing the automatic transfer switch, wiring generator to ATS, connecting to your electrical panel, testing all systems, training you on operation, and arranging final inspection.
Generator Placement
Generator location affects performance, noise, and convenience. We consider distance from your home (5+ feet required), fuel line routing, exhaust direction away from windows, noise impact on neighbors, HOA requirements, service access, and aesthetic appearance. Proper placement ensures safe, quiet operation.
Maintenance and Service
Standby generators require regular maintenance to ensure reliability when you need them most.
Routine Maintenance
We recommend annual maintenance including oil and filter changes, air filter replacement, spark plug inspection, battery testing, fuel system check, transfer switch testing, and complete system test under load. Regular maintenance prevents breakdowns and extends generator life.
Service Plans
Our generator service plans include scheduled annual maintenance, priority emergency service, genuine manufacturer parts, and complete system testing. Service plans ensure your investment provides reliable backup power for years to come.
Commercial Generator Installation
CERG installs commercial standby generators for commercial places. Business generators are larger (up to several hundred kW), often diesel-fueled, and designed for extended runtime. We provide complete commercial generator solutions including sizing and selection, fuel system design, complex electrical integration, load management systems, and parallel generator configurations for large facilities.
Critical Facilities
Healthcare facilities, data centers, manufacturing plants, and other critical operations require reliable backup power. We design and install generator systems that meet strict reliability standards and provide seamless power transfer.
Generator Brands We Install
We install leading generator brands including Generac, Kohler, Cummins, Briggs & Stratton, and other quality manufacturers. Each brand offers different features, warranties, and performance characteristics. We’ll help you select the best option for your needs.
Financing Options
Whole-home generators are significant investments that protect your home and family. We offer flexible financing to make generator ownership affordable. Ask about current financing options and special offers.
Why Choose CERG for Generator Installation?
Our licensed electricians have extensive experience with generator installation. We’re factory-trained and certified by major manufacturers, handle all permits and inspections, provide complete turnkey installation, offer competitive pricing, and back our work with solid warranties. We’ve installed hundreds of generators throughout the country.
Schedule Your Free Generator Consultation
Ready to protect your home with automatic backup power? Contact CERG for a free in-home consultation. We’ll assess your power needs, recommend the right generator size, provide detailed pricing, and answer all your questions. Call 312-502-9394 or schedule your consultation online.