What to Know Before Having a Generator Installed

Any type of home installation service is going to include at least a minor degree of inconvenience. Although this is true, having a new generator installed doesn’t have to be a hassle. With a little bit of prep, you can better know what to expect from your generator installation.

Before your generator installation, collect some info:

What is the square footage of your home? Your technician will need this information to best advise you on the recommended specifications for your new generator.

• Do you already have gas appliances? If so, what are they?
• Are you wanting to power up your entire home or just some critical circuits?
• Do you have time to meet with inspectors and installation specialists multiple times over the next few weeks?

What to know when you buy a new generator?

How long does the generator installation take?

In total, the whole process can take a few weeks to complete. You’ll want to anticipate two or three onsite visits from your technician over the course of two to three weeks. Of course, some projects move a little faster or slower depending on each customer’s unique situation and factors such as:

• Required code inspections
• Gas company installation (if gas is a new service)
• The distance the generator is set from electrical or gas service.

Connect with the gas company beforehand.

You will need to find and coordinate with your preferred gas company depending on whether you’re setting up natural gas or propane gas service. Swaim Electric is licensed and certified to install new gas lines; this means one company, Swaim Electric Heating and Air Conditioning, can handle everything except starting a new gas service.

Plan ahead for a brief power outage.

Most generator installations require a brief interruption in your power service. You should only need to plan on 2-3 hours without power.

For more on which generator is right for you, whether or not you’re ready to take the plunge, and how a Generac generator from Swaim Electric can help give you peace of mind in the event of a power outage, check out Swaim Electric’s generator services.