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Avatar for Stallings Electric
Stallings Electric
5.0(
11
)
Fixed Generator - InstallGenerator - Install - For Business

Serving Scotts Valley, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1983

Free estimates

Customers say: Quick response

"Amazing communication, in this industry that’s very hard to find. Got in and had the whole house rough wired in just a couple days. Used quality materials and installed everything cleanly. Asked me lots of questions about placement of fixtures and outlets to insure I was happy. Highly recommended. B. Taylor"
Miscellaneous Work
Miscellaneous Work
Miscellaneous Work
Miscellaneous Work
Miscellaneous Work

+11

Response time2 days
11 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Sunrise Electrical Contracting, Inc.
Sunrise Electrical Contracting, Inc.
4.2(
6
)
Fixed Generator - InstallFixed Generator - RepairGenerator - Install - For Business+1 more

Serving Scotts Valley, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2022

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Brandon (Sunrise Electrical) responded next day to my email. Visited job day after, explained replacement and upgrade to main (burned up) panel, current grounding requirements, , and permit process. Submitted bid next day. This type of work may be twice as expensive as youâ re thinking, but you probably need licensed, bonded , etc. with good equipment and crew. We were confident they would do the job as described. They worked hard to prioritize our repairs even though the our county was in the midst of disastrous storms and there were several emergencies they were dealing with concurrently. Their work included exterior stucco around new panel and crawling under house to attach the new ground wire. They compted us a fix of an adjacent gate latch and repair of a suspect circuit in the garage. Will hire again for repairs or upgrades."
Response time1 day
31 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by80%of homeowners
Avatar for GT Handyman Services and Junk Removal
GT Handyman Services and Junk Removal
New to Angi
Portable Generator - Repair

Serving Scotts Valley, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Small jobs welcome

I provide a complete property care service, handling everything from minor electrical repairs and general household fixes to full junk removal. Whether you need a light switch swapped out, a ceiling fan installed, or an entire garage cleared, I am your one-call solution. I save you the hassle of hiring multiple contractors by taking care of the repairs and hauling away the mess all at once.

Avatar for Thunder electric
Thunder electric
New to Angi
Portable Generator - Repair

Serving Scotts Valley, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Warranties offered

A warm greeting to all. My name is Carlos, and I'm an electrician with over six years of experience doing residential and commercial work. Over the years, I've gained a lot of experience, and I'm currently studying to obtain my electrical contractor's license. I would be happy to work for you.

Full home wiring
Dustin Baldwin jr
New to Angi
Portable Generator - Repair

Serving Scotts Valley, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

Hardworking problem solver who is passionate about delivering consistently high-quality work. I enjoy working with my hands, various types of power tools, and equipment. When troubleshooting I am very reliable at developing creative solutions to complex problems. A quick learner who is willing to go above and beyond to deliver the community I serves with a job well done and done right, ensuring customer satisfaction and public safety. I always takes full advantage of opportunities to learn new skills and/or techniques and enjoys the challenge of learning new material.

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Generator Install questions, answered by experts

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.

You can determine what size generator you need for a transfer switch by matching the switch to the largest outlet on your generator. Larger generators can power up to 10 circuits, while most 5,000-watt generators can provide power to six circuits. So, if your generator’s largest outlet is 30 amps, you’ll need a 30-amp transfer switch.

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.

As a safety measure, you should always turn off the main breaker while operating your generator’s backup breaker. In addition, you should also switch off all appliance breakers so you don't have a power surge when the main breaker turns back on. And finally, turning off the main breaker prevents back-feeding, which endangers utility workers with the risk of electrocution. Back-feeding could also destroy the electrical circuits of your neighbors if they use the same power network.

With proper maintenance, a whole-house generator can last between 20 and 40 years. The specific lifespan depends on how often and for how long the generator is used, and some models may have their life expectancy rated in hours of operation. To maximize its lifespan, expect to spend around $150 to $300 per year for annual maintenance checks from a qualified technician. During these checks, a technician will inspect the engine filter, starting mechanism, fuel, lubrication, and coolant levels. Consulting your installer and choosing a low-impact fuel like natural gas or diesel can also help ensure your generator lasts as long as possible.

The Scotts Valley, CA homeowners’ guide to generator installs

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