GENERATOR INSTALLS OR SERVICE?

YOU'VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE FOR GENERATOR INFO!!

  • Kohler GOLD Certified Dealer/Installer.
  • Kohler Certified for Warranty work
  • Portable Generator Panel and Outlet Installs
  • Whole House Generator Installs (Natural Gas, Propane gas, Diesel)
  • Annual Generator Checkups/Maintenance Programs (On All Brands)
  • Building Planning and Sizing of Generator and Equipment

Generators have become very popular in the last 15 years due to the increased number of outages. Western MA area has seen many outages from 2 minutes to 6 days. Where we used to lose power once a year for a very short period of time, we are now seeing multiple outages a year and at much extended times. Everyone wants to be prepared and we have installed a huge amount or generators. There's nothing like the feeling that when storm warnings are broadcasted that you are ready for anything. No worrying about your food spoiling, your heat will work, lighting and outlets will work.

Of course, many questions arise on costs as many have no idea. Since most installs are different, it is always best to have a site visit so that options can be discussed and properly quoted for the best system to suit your needs and budget. Below is a general range of what to expect when making decisions about generators.

Whole House/Building Generator (Air Cooled 8.5kw - 26KW*): (Top Quality-Kohler Generators)

  • Electrical wiring w/ Transfer Switch AND Generator, etc, averages: $9,500 - $13,500 (other lesser quality models could save you $1k-2k, but there are major differences that we can educate you on!) Size of generator, location of generator, and obstacles that may have to be dealt with have factors in the price range.
  • Gas Piping: $900-$2,000
  • Trench escavation for remote generators (If not near building/house): $500-$2,000
  • There are many options that people can choose from which may add to the cost, such as: Extended Warranty's, Annual Maintanance Programs, Whole panel Surge Protection, Solar Line Side tap, Generator Communication to your Phone or Computer.
  • *Larger than 26KW aircooled units, we recommend going to a liquidcooled unit which typically Adds $8,000-$10,000 to pricing.

Pros:

  • Automatic Start Up--Virtually leaves you worry free--no need to be onsite during an outage!
  • Gas hooked directly to unit enabling longer run time, typically 3-7 days without refill, depending of propane tank size. Natural gas would be unlimited time.
  • Ability to power whole house/building
  • Automatic testing/Run time once a week to ensure startup when outage occurs
  • Most units are quieter than portable units
  • Better power quality, Kohler's have 1% or less harmonic distortion (power quality)
  • Permanent location, no need to worry about being too close to house as that will be figured out during install.
  • Typically longer warranties

Cons:

  • More costly than portable, but totally different system-almost can't compare to portable
  • Install is more costly

Portable Generator:

  • Electrical wiring w/ Transfer Panel: $1,400 - $2,000
  • Generator itself: $1,200 - $5,000

Pros:

  • Less expensive if strict budget
  • Portable

Cons:

  • Typically can't power whole house
  • Have to fill with gas every 6-10hrs, lots of gas on hand.
  • Typically not as good power quality except for the higher end units. Most are between 4-10% harmonic distortion.
  • Must wheel to outside when power outage. Could be issue if heavy snow.
  • Must be home to start. Could be hard to start for disabled or elderly.
  • There are many Manual steps needed in switching the power over during an outage and sometimes can be confusing for some.
  • Must pay closer attention of how close to the house you put the unit and where the exhaust is aiming.

What to expect for Generator Installs:

Whole House Generator:

Install: First, you want to pick a good location. Depending on the generator, you can typically install within 18" to 5 feet from a structure. There are many measurments/clearences that we need to follow which may determine specific placement of the generator. We've even had people put them in the woods or behind a shed. Of course the further away from the house where your main power is, the more expensive install for parts and labor. We will go over these options during your onsite visit.

We can coordinate the gas install OR you can coordinate yourself. Typically, if you have natural gas at your building, you'd use that IF the gas moratorium isn't in affect where you live. Unfortuantly for 80% of the areas we work in, the gas moratorium is in affect and you may not be able to tie into the gas line, Even if it is already supplying your house. If you don't already have natural gas at the builing or at the street, then you'd most likely go with propane fuel. Propane tanks can be above ground OR in ground. In most cases now, even if you have natural gas at your building, you may not be allowed to add a generator to it due to the gas moratorium. If you have natural gas onsite, contact your gas supplier and ask them that question. Typically, if you have Paciorek Electric coordinate the install using our propane company we work with most frequently, we will have your generator running on the same day of install. We will coordinate the gas inspections needed so that we have a "turn key" 1 day installation.

After the above is arranged, we would then deliver the generator and start the electrical install. Once the unit is in place, gas can be piped to it.

After gas is inspected and turned on, we would then perform the generator initial startup, testing, and warranty registration.

Now, all you have to wait for is a big storm so you can have your house lit while your neighbors may not be! Some people love that part of it!! The biggest thing is being set at ease that you now have power back up!

Operation:

1. With a whole house generator, the generator/transfer switch is continually monitoring the incoming utility power. Any variations in voltage into "danger zones", fliskering and surging, or a power loss will automatically trigger the generator to start. Once the generator is showing good power, the transfer switch will transfer the power to the house from the generator. This whole process is within 10 seconds.....A Kohler consistantly does this proces in just 6-8 seconds!

2. The generator/transfer switch will sense when good power gets restored from the utility and automatically transfer the power back to the house from your utility and then shut the generator down.

3. After the transfer back to utility power, the generator will typically run for approximatly 2 to 10 minutes for a "cool down" period and then be back in thew ready position waiting for the next power outage.

Portable Generators:

Install: We supply a transfer switch panel near your existing panel. We would then run a cable from that transfer panel to the outside area where you would have your generator and we'd install a generator rated Inlet for the generator to plug into. You will need to think about where that location would be taking into consideration the ease of putting the generator in the location in inclement weather and convenience. We will show you the proper operation and steps to take during an outage.

Operation: Basically, when an outage occurs, you will roll your generator out to the location discussed. Make sure you have extra fuel on hand. You will plug the generator into the inlet and start the generator. Now you would go to your transfer panel and flip all the switches to generator power. You are set to go.