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Avatar for Coolray Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical
Coolray Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical
4.2(
23
)
Fixed Generator - InstallFixed Generator - RepairGenerator - Install+4 more

Serving Fosters, AL and surrounding areas

In business since 1966

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"My installer Samuel was top notch, very detailed, pleasant, answered all my questions. Excellent representative. The only problem I had was miscommunication on their end as I was told available payment options and Samuel was told another. Did not affect installation or quality of work at all."
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Recommended by45%of homeowners
Stellar Electrical Services LLC
5.0(
5
)
Fixed Generator - RepairPortable Generator - Repair

Serving Fosters, AL and surrounding areas

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Warranties offered

We provide quick and affordable electrical services from basic lighting/receptacle installation to whole home generators. You name it! We offer excellent customer service and provide quality electrical work in the Birmingham and surrounding areas. We look forward to helping you with your electrical project today!

Avatar for The Home Depot - Generators
The Home Depot - Generators
2.5(
1
)
Fixed Generator - Install

Serving Fosters, AL and surrounding areas

In business since 2003

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

Today, we're proud to be the world's largest home improvement retailer. In 2,300 stores across North America, we aspire to excel in service – to our customers, associates, communities and shareholders. That's what leadership means to us. That's The Home Depot difference.

Generators
Generators
Generators
Generator
Generators

+5

Atchenson Electric
New to Angi
Fixed Generator - RepairGenerator - Repair - For BusinessPortable Generator - Install+1 more

Serving Fosters, AL and surrounding areas

In business since 2013

We can take on a wide range of residential and commercial electrical projects to include full installation for additions and remodels as well as wiring/panel upgrades, and a variety of other projects. We take pride in the quality of our work and our commitment to outstanding results. We look forward to building strong, long-term relationships with our clients and guarantee your satisfaction\n

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Generator Install questions, answered by experts

No, you should never plug a generator directly into a wall outlet in your house. This practice is extremely dangerous, often illegal, and can cause "back-feeding," where power from the generator flows back into utility lines, creating a life-threatening hazard for utility workers. It can also damage your home's electrical system, including appliances like pumps and HVAC fans. If the main power is restored while the generator is connected, it can destroy the generator and cause an electrical fire. To safely connect a generator, you must use a professionally installed transfer switch or an interlocking kit, which prevents back-feeding by disconnecting your home from the utility grid before the generator provides power.

To determine the right size generator for your house, you should calculate the total wattage of the appliances and devices you want to power during an outage. List all essential items, note their start-up wattages, and add them together.

Here are some typical wattage requirements for common appliances:

  • Refrigerator: 600 watts

  • Large dehumidifier: 700 watts

  • Large window air conditioner: 1,400 watts

  • Water heater: 3,000 to 4,500 watts

  • Electric furnace: 5,000 to 25,000 watts

A 7,500-watt generator might be sufficient for essentials like a refrigerator, freezer, well pump, and lighting circuits. However, for high-demand items like a water heater or furnace, a whole-home generator is a better choice. A portable generator may be enough if you only need to power a few critical items.

While home square footage can offer a rough estimate, it is not always a reliable indicator. For reference, here are some typical generator sizes based on square footage:

  • 1,000 sq ft: 6–9 kW

  • 1,500 sq ft: 7–10 kW

  • 2,000 sq ft: 10–14 kW

  • 2,500 sq ft: 12–16 kW

  • 3,000 sq ft: 16–20 kW+

For the most accurate sizing, consult a professional who can calculate your home's peak and average power consumption and recommend the optimal generator.

DIY is possible for basic setups. Professional installation ensures safe and proper electrical connections.

To reduce AC startup power for a whole-house generator, install a soft start kit or hard start capacitor, which lowers the initial surge by gradually ramping up the compressor. Using a smart load manager can also help by staggering startup loads, preventing a system overload and future costly repairs.

A 10,000-watt generator can run a small to mid-sized central AC unit (typically up to 3 tons or 36,000 BTU) along with a few other appliances. However, larger AC units or additional loads will require a bigger generator. Consult a local generator installer to ensure you add the correct size generator to your home.

The Fosters, AL homeowners’ guide to generator installs

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.