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If you live in a rural area or a region with extreme weather, a standby generator can power your home during power outages. These systems switch on automatically when your home’s electricity fails, keeping essential appliances and systems running without interruption. You must handle installation carefully, however, since the process involves complex electrical work.
In the video above, This Old House host Kevin O’Connor demonstrates how to install a standby generator and connect it to your home’s electrical system. Follow our step-by-step guide below to understand the process and plan your installation.
Is Installing a Standby Generator a DIY Project?
While many home electrical projects are do-it-yourself (DIY)-friendly, this one is not. We recommend hiring a licensed electrician to install your standby generator. Unless you have years of electrical experience, this project is too complex for you to do yourself. For your own safety and the safety of your home, it’s best to hire a professional to do the job.
Understanding Standby Generators
Stand-by generators are permanent fixtures outside your home that connect directly to your home’s electrical system. Unlike portable generators, they can power your entire house.
How Standby Generators Work
When a power outage occurs, the stand-by generator detects the loss of utility power and starts up automatically. An automatic transfer switch then disconnects your home from the utility power and connects it to the generator. This process happens within seconds, ensuring minimal disruption to your home’s power supply.
Benefits of Standby Generators
Stand-by generators have several advantages over portable models for homeowners:
- Automatic operation
- Higher power output
- Seamless power transition
- Ability to power the entire house
- Increased home value
Preparing for Installation of a Standby Generator
Once you decide to install a standby generator, there are a few things you need to handle. Make sure you take care of the following steps before you dive into the installation process.
Choosing the Right Generator
A 20,000-watt generator, like the one featured in the video above, is more than enough to power most homes. Still, you should consider factors like your home’s size, electrical load, and which appliances you want to power during an outage. Generators also use different types of fuel, like propane and natural gas, which can affect your choice.
Gathering the Right Tools
Before you start installing your standby generator, you’ll need a few tools. Make sure you have the following:
Obtaining Permits
Check with your local building department about the permits you’ll need to install a permanent generator. You may need electrical and gas permits, as well as zoning approval for the generator’s location. Local laws can vary, so it’s important to understand your state’s requirements before beginning the project.
Tip: Scott Caron, a licensed master electrician in Massachusetts who installs about 50 standby generators a year, advised the following: “Have a dealer come out to do a site review.” Dealers know local codes and permit requirements as well as the generator’s needs, which can save you headaches down the road.
Choosing the Location for Your Generator
Select a location for your generator that meets local code requirements. Generally, it should be:
- At least 5 feet from your home’s openings
- Away from windows and doors
- On a level concrete or stone surface
- Easily accessible for maintenance
Tip: Make sure the location where you place your generator has at least 3 feet of clearance on one side of the unit to allow for servicing, says Caron.
Standby Generator Installation Process
Installing a standby generator is complex and involves electrical work and gas line installation. Follow along with the video above as you read the steps to walk through this process.
- Install an electrical sub-panel with a transfer switch beside the main electrical panel.
- Redirect critical circuits from the main panel to the sub-panel.
- Prepare a level stone or concrete base for the generator.
- Set the generator on the base.
- Dig a trench from the generator to your new high-pressure gas meter.
- Run a new natural gas line and a tracing wire from the generator to the gas meter
- Connect the gas line to the meter.
- Pull the electrical cable from the generator to your house through a conduit.
- Connect gas and electricity to the rear of the generator.
- Connect the generator to the transfer switch in the sub-panel.
Generator Components
Generators have several key parts that help them run smoothly. Before you install yours, you should be familiar with these components.
Engine and Alternator
The engine, typically fueled by natural gas or propane, powers the alternator, which produces electricity. The size and power of these components determine the generator’s output capacity.
Control Panel
The control panel is the brain of the generator system. It monitors utility power, starts the generator when needed, and manages the transfer of power. Most generators have push-button controls that allow for easy monitoring and operation.
Automatic Transfer Switch
This component automatically disconnects your home from utility power and connects it to the generator during an outage. When utility power is restored, it switches your home back to the grid and shuts down the generator.
Battery and Charging
Unlike mobile generators that use a pull cord, standby generators often come with a 12-volt battery to start the generator and power its control system. The utility power from your home trickle charges the battery continually to make sure it’s always ready for an unexpected power outage, says O’Connor.
Safety Considerations When Working With a Standby Generator
Whether you’re hiring an electrician to install your generator or you’re an experienced professional, safety should be a number one priority. Consider the following tips for the health of your generator and your own personal safety.
Regular Self-Tests
Most modern standby generators, including the one in the video above, perform weekly self-tests. These tests start the generator and run diagnostics without transferring power to your home, ensuring the system is ready when needed. During self-tests, the generator checks for any irregularities that might affect its operation. If you find any malfunctions, call a local electrician to help repair your generator.
Carbon Monoxide Awareness
Always operate your generator outdoors and away from windows, doors, and vents to prevent carbon monoxide buildup inside your home. If you place your generator too close to your home, you may risk getting carbon monoxide poisoning.
Electrical Safety
Always make sure the utility power to your house is turned off before redirecting circuits from your main electrical panel to a sub-panel. If you fail to do this, you could risk electrocution. When in doubt, refer to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s guide on electrical safety.
Dan Dunn, a power equipment expert featured in This Old House Magazine, warns against a dangerous procedure known as backfeeding, or connecting a generator directly to a circuit board. This process came become catastrophic if utility power is restored while the generator is running. The two currents can burn out the generator or start a fire.
If you try this installation on your own, don’t be afraid to call a professional if you feel nervous or unsure about any of the steps in this process. Working with electricity is dangerous, and if you’re not 100% certain that you can handle it, it’s best to hire a local electrician to do the job.
