Welcome to our expert guide on selecting and installing the perfect backup generator to keep your home running smoothly when the lights go out. At Relias Electric, we understand that Backup Generators, Home Electric reliability, and Emergency Electric preparedness are top priorities for homeowners in Lancaster, Ohio and beyond. Whether you’re preparing for thunderous summer storms or winter blackouts, this post will walk you through everything from load calculations and fuel-type pros and cons to installation tips and maintenance best practices. For more about our full range of electrical services, visit our services page.
Understanding Your Power Needs: Generator Sizing Essentials
Before purchasing a generator, perform a thorough load calculation to determine how much power your home truly requires during an outage. This involves:
Listing Critical Circuits: Identify which appliances and systems you need running, refrigerator, furnace blower, sump pump, lights, and perhaps your Wi-Fi router.
Calculating Wattage Requirements: Collect the starting (surge) and running wattage for each device. Motors (like in pumps and refrigerators) often require 2–3× their running wattage at startup.
Adding a Safety Margin: Once you’ve summed individual wattages, add 10–20% extra capacity for future needs or unexpected surges.
For example, a typical home might require:
| Appliance | Running Watts | Starting Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 700 | 2,100 |
| Sump Pump | 800 | 2,400 |
| Furnace Blower Motor | 600 | 1,800 |
| Lighting & Outlets | 1,500 | 1,500 |
| Communications (Wi-Fi) | 200 | 200 |
With surge included, total running watts might be around 3,800 W, but with starting surges you’d size for closer to 6,500 W. That points toward a standby generator in the 8,000–10,000 watt range for comfortable coverage.
Comparing Fuel Types: Natural Gas, Propane, and Diesel
Choosing the right fuel affects cost, runtime, and installation complexity. Here’s a breakdown:
Natural Gas Generators
Pros:
Continuous fuel supply, no need to refill tanks during extended outages.
Cleaner-burning, fewer emissions, lower maintenance.
Cons:
Requires a dedicated line installation (permit and plumbing).
Gas supply can be interrupted in severe disasters affecting pipelines.
Propane (LP) Generators
Pros:
Fuel stored onsite, reliable even if utilities fail elsewhere.
Clean-burning, stable storage life with proper tanks.
Cons:
Limited run time based on tank size (e.g., a 250 gal tank might run ~48 hours at half load).
Tanks require space and periodic certification.
Diesel Generators
Pros:
High energy density: extended run times on a single tank.
Robust engines, often used for commercial-grade standby power.
Cons:
Diesel fuel degrades over time; requires stabilizers and periodic maintenance.
Louder and more emissions compared to gas/liquid propane.
For most residential settings, natural gas or propane generators strike the best balance between convenience and reliability. If you already have a natural gas line near your meter, that often simplifies installation considerations.
Portable vs. Standby: Choosing Your Emergency Electric Solution
Two main backup generator styles exist for homeowners: portable and standby.
Portable Generators
Advantages:
Lower upfront cost (often $500–$2,000).
Flexibility: can power tools on remote job sites or tailgate events.
Drawbacks:
Manual setup: you must run fuel lines, extension cords, or connect to a manual transfer switch.
Limited capacity, typically ≤7,500 watts.
Placement outdoors at least 15 ft from windows/doors to avoid carbon monoxide hazards.
Standby Generators
Advantages:
Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS): Detects outages and starts the generator within seconds.
Permanent installation: wired directly into the home’s electrical panel.
Higher capacities (8 kW to 25 kW+) to power entire homes.
Drawbacks:
Higher cost (installation + generator: $5,000–$15,000+).
Requires professional site prep, concrete pad, fuel connections, permits.
If uninterrupted, hands-off protection is your goal, a standby generator with ATS is the gold standard for home electric reliability.
Navigating Installation Considerations and Local Codes
Proper installation ensures safety, reliability, and compliance with local regulations. Key factors include:
Permits & Inspections
Contact your township or county building department to secure electrical and plumbing permits for generator hookups.
Schedule inspections at key milestones: pad placement, fuel connections, and final electrical tie-in.
Site Preparation
Concrete Pad or Level Gravel Base: Provides stable support and keeps the generator above potential flood levels.
Clearance Requirements: Generators must be placed a minimum distance from windows, doors, and property lines per National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.
Electrical Integration
Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS): Installed adjacent to your main breaker panel. The ATS isolates utility power from generator power, preventing dangerous back-feeding.
Load Management Modules (Optional): Allow you to prioritize circuits (e.g., critical loads) when generator capacity is limited, shedding non-essential loads automatically.
Fuel Connections
Natural Gas: Plumber installs a dedicated meter‐bypass line with a sediment trap and seismic shutoff valve if required in earthquake zones.
Propane: LP contractor sets up an above-ground or underground tank with regulator and fill piping; tanks require secondary containment in some jurisdictions.
Diesel: Installer adds day tanks and filtration systems to maintain fuel purity.
Noise & Vibration Control
Consider acoustic enclosures or sound‐attenuation kits for residential neighborhoods.
Install vibration dampers between the generator and pad to minimize soil-transmitted noise.
By working with a licensed electrical contractor, like Relias Electric, your local home electric experts, you’ll navigate these steps seamlessly and ensure a trouble-free system.
Maintenance Matters: Keeping Your Generator Ready
A generator isn’t “install and forget.” Regular maintenance extends its lifespan and ensures reliability when you need it most:
Weekly or Monthly Test Runs: Most standby units perform an exercise cycle automatically, run at no load for 15–20 minutes to circulate oil and prevent wet stacking.
Oil & Filter Changes: Follow manufacturer guidelines, typically after the first 50 hours of operation, then every 200–250 hours or annually.
Coolant Checks: For liquid-cooled models, verify coolant levels and inspect hoses for leaks.
Battery Inspection: Ensure the starting battery is fully charged and terminals are clean; replace every 3–5 years.
Load Bank Testing (Optional): Apply an artificial load periodically to verify generator capacity and performance under stress.
Document maintenance tasks in a log and schedule professional service visits, Relias Electric offers comprehensive generator maintenance plans tailored to keep your emergency power system in peak condition.
Advanced Tips: Optimizing Home Electric Efficiency During Outages
Even with a properly sized generator, managing your loads intelligently can maximize runtime and fuel economy:
Stagger Non-Essential Loads
Avoid running air conditioning and electric water heaters simultaneously if your generator is marginally sized. Use programmable thermostats to cycle loads.
Install a Load Shedding Module
Automatically shuts off lower-priority circuits (e.g., garage outlets, pool pump) when essential loads surge above capacity.
Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances
Modern Energy Star refrigerators and furnaces draw less startup current, lowering required surge capacity and fuel consumption.
Use LED Lighting
LEDs draw 75% less power than incandescent bulbs, allowing you to keep more lights on longer during an outage.
By combining smart load management with energy-efficient upgrades, you extend runtime and reduce fuel costs, critical when storms last several days.
Financing & Incentives: Making Your Emergency Electric Investment Affordable
While the upfront cost of a standby generator can seem steep, various options can ease the financial burden:
Tax Credits & Rebates
Check for federal Residential Energy Efficiency Property Credit (if paired with renewable integration, like solar + generator).
Some states and utilities offer rebates on high-efficiency generators or green-fueled units.
Financing Plans
Many contractors provide low-interest financing or monthly payment plans to spread costs over time.
Bundle with Electrical Upgrades
If you’re also rewiring, adding EV chargers, or upgrading panels, bundling projects often yields volume discounts.
Before you commit, discuss financing and incentives with your electrician, Relias Electric can guide you through available programs and help maximize savings.
Wrapping Up: Your Next Steps for Emergency Electric Preparedness
Installing a backup generator is a smart, proactive step toward safeguarding your home and family against power interruptions. To recap:
Perform a load calculation to size your generator accurately.
Choose the right fuel type, weigh continuous supply vs. on-site storage.
Decide between portable and standby, keeping in mind convenience, capacity, and budget.
Plan for proper installation, permits, pad prep, ATS wiring, and fuel hookups.
Commit to regular maintenance to ensure reliability when you need it.
Optimize loads with energy-efficient appliances and load-shedding modules.
Explore financing and incentives to make the investment manageable.
Ready to secure uninterrupted power for your home? Reach out to us at 740-409-9288 with any questions or to schedule a free consultation. We’re located right here in Lancaster, Ohio, and our licensed electricians are standing by to design and install the perfect backup generator system for your needs. Stay safe, stay powered, and enjoy peace of mind no matter what the weather brings!