Home Generator Installation & Maintenance in Seattle, WA
Proudly Serving The Greater Seattle Area
The Pacific Northwest has some of the harshest climates in the United States. The region is home to volcanoes, earthquakes, and wildfires. Why does this matter? Because these natural disasters can destroy your power grid. In our modern day of constantly staying connected, power outages can cause a good amount of stress and issues.
Home Generator Solutions
Home generator solutions not only provide peace of mind, they also can keep you warm, keep your food fresh, and make sure you stay connected to work, friends, and family.
Custom Electrical Services specializes in home generator installation and backup power solutions. Based on budget and power requirements, our team of specialists will determine which home generator solution is best for your home and family. Our most popular options include automatic and manual standby generator solutions, as well as portable generator solutions.
What Is The Price Range For Home Generators?
Pricing ranges from $800 for our portable solutions up to $20,000 for a fully automatic generator large enough to power a 400amp service.
Automatic Whole House Generator Systems:
The whole house generator is a great solution for those looking for a robust energy source that is easy to use. Starting at $12K, these systems come with automatic ignition and the ability to connect to a propane or natural gas source, our Generac generators are dependable and can last the entire duration of a power outage. Installation is a multiple part process that typically includes a day without power as we will need to wire the automatic switch into the main house panel. Some utility companies will require for the installer to call and schedule a same day disconnect/reconnect. The generator will require a concrete pad which can be included prefabricated or poured. Once connected to power, the gas/propane piping is then installed from the source to the generator itself. The utility company will need to determine if the gas pressure is suitable for the type of generator selected. Based on several factors, the generator installation process could take about 3-5 business days from start to finish. Ongoing maintenance should be provided every 6 months as recommended by Generac.
Manual Generator Solutions:
Starting at $6k, a manual standby generator is perfect for those who require enough power for the whole house and prefer a manual operation. This solution requires the operator to switch power off at the main panel and then manually power on the generator during a power outage and reverse the process when the main power returns. Once activated, the generator will last the duration of the power outage or as long as the fuel source allows.
Home Generator Maintenance in Seattle, WA
Custom Electrical Service recommends yearly maintenance for your automatic generator to keep it in good shape and operating the moment you lose power. Whether your generator is in constant use or just used a few times a year it is critical that your unit is serviced in order to keep it in operating condition.
In order to provide an affordable solution we offer a few different generator maintenance plans so your service is automatically scheduled throughout the year based on how often you need it. All maintenance services are performed by factory-trained and certified technicians.
A typical maintenance appointment includes a general inspection and critical system services such as, but not limited to:
- Inspection and cleaning of enclosure
- Fuel system inspection and testing
- Generator Engine performance
- Transfer switch operation
- Battery Testing
- Electrical system output testing
- Valve adjustments
-
“Despite some timing issues and scope adjustments needed Custom Electric was true to their word and completed a nightmare of a project which was touched by 4 different electricians before they came in, rectified any pre-existing issues, and saw it through f”
- Michael A. -
“Ben and his crew were friendly, fast, and knowledgeable.”
- Sunako V. -
“They were genuine and wanted to help us. You have saved this family from a heat wave!”
- J. S.
Portable Generator Solutions:
Starting at $795+ the cost of a portable generator, this solution is the most effective way to ensure that your most important appliances and devices are still operational. With both a 30amp and 50amp option, there will be plenty of power for WIFI, refrigerator, small heat source, and lights/outlets. Options for this solution include an interlock kit with generator inlet, or manual transfer switch with inlet.
When deciding between the two, I suggest that the homeowner determines if the main power panel can accept an interlock kit. The interlock kit is less expensive and allows for the operator to pick and choose which breakers should be active during a power outage. Operation requires for all breakers including the main breaker to be turned to the off position during a power outage. Once the portable generator is running and plugged into the inlet, the operator would then turn on the breakers that are associated with the devices and appliances that need power.
The manual transfer switch is a small metal box that would be installed and wired into the main panel. There are both 6 and 10 circuit transfer switch models that can be installed. As this solution still requires a manual operation and is almost double the cost, I typically only recommend if the house panel is unable to accept an interlock kit.
Types of Portable Generators:
When selecting a portable generator, I typically advise you visit your local hardware store such as Lowes or Home Depot. Costco also has great deals during certain times of the year. Amazon and other online retailers sell them for a discount as well. Make sure that your generator supports a 240v 30amp or 50amp connection so that you can power everything that is need when you power goes out. If you have a sub-pump or need multiple heating sources, I highly recommend a 50amp 9k-12k watt portable generator. Some of my favorite brands include Generac, Honda, Predator, and Dewalt.
If you live in the Northwest, it is important to consider how a power outage can affect your home and business. A generator installation is one of the most effective ways for homeowners to protect themselves from power disruptions by providing backup electricity when needed during outages. Whether you need an emergency back-up, or just want peace-of-mind that your family will never be left without heat on a cold winter night, we recommend scheduling a consultation with our team today! We are experts at installing generators and can answer any questions about this process so don’t hesitate to give us call now before it’s too late.