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Avatar for WireOne
WireOne
4.2(
118
)
Fixed Generator - InstallPortable Generator - Install

Serving Atkins, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2010

Credit card accepted

Customers say: Quality work

"The price was higher than other estimates but I got the feeling that they really knew what they were doing and the electricians made a couple of suggestions that really turned out to be good ones. They did a very high quality installation and couldn’t have been more professional and cordial."
Wireone Work
Wireone Work
Wireone Work
Wireone Work
Wireone Work

+5

Response time11 hrs
39 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by94%of homeowners
Avatar for DOWN THE ROAD ELECTRIC INC
DOWN THE ROAD ELECTRIC INC
5.0(
19
)
Fixed Generator - InstallFixed Generator - RepairPortable Generator - Install+1 more

Serving Atkins, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2021

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Jesse is a very pleasant young man, fully trained and capable of any electric repair or installation. He came on time, did his work quickly and cleaned up after himself. I am very satisfied and will call "Down the Road Electric" again when the need arises. Rick Ruppert, retired Accountant and homeowner."
3 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by63%of homeowners
Dan's Affordable Electric, LLC
4.4(
92
)
Fixed Generator - RepairPortable Generator - Install

Serving Atkins, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2012

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Dan's Affordable Electric completely transformed my kitchen! They tore out old fluorescent ceiling fixture, installed 8 ceilings can LED fixtures, installed motion sensor lighting underneath kitchen cabinets, inside our pantry (wow!), inside two closets, lighting above our kitchen cabinet to the ceiling and installed subway tiles as a backsplash! We are thrilled! End of each day, they vacuumed the floor and polished countertops! Highly recommend!! Outstanding!!"
Response time7 hrs
Response rate96%
Recommended by95%of homeowners
Donovan Electric, LLC
5.0(
4
)
Fixed Generator - Install

Serving Atkins, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Had estimate done by ?Wire One? first and it was a pressure/upsell attempt nightmare. Price quoted was an incredible attempt at gouging a retired couple?will never allow them in my home again. Contacted Donovan Electric, work was done within two days at an exceptionally reasonable price. No non-sense, no gouging, just simple professional work done by decent people. Do yourself a favor, hire these guys, not some big corporate entity that?s out to take you to the cleaners."
Response time4 days
Recommended by25%of homeowners
Avatar for Best Services
Best Services
New to Angi
Fixed Generator - InstallGenerator - Install - For Business

Serving Atkins, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2007

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Best Services, was established in 2007, as an Authorized Generac Service Dealer. We specialize in Generac Automatic Standby Generators, and other outdoor power equipment. Our commitment is 100% guaranteed customer satisfaction on every project. Call today, for a free estimate. \n

Response time1 day
Trey Electric, Corp.
New to Angi
Generator - Install - For BusinessGenerator - Repair - For Business

Serving Atkins, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2001

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

Welcome to Trey Electric. Our depth of knowledge and experience solidify our belief that customer service stands as the highest priority. We eagerly look forward to working with you and making your vision a reality. Give us a call, text or email today, and let us get started!

Response time4 hrs
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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.

Sizing a generator is a careful process that requires calculating the electrical load of your entire house. You have to take into account every device you want to use and their wattage requirements, plus the wattage needed to start them, and look for a generator that can safely run all that at around 80% capacity.

In more practical terms, a small home can run on a 10,000-watt generator (and if you only want to power a few key appliances, much less than that). A mid-sized home may need something between 15,000 and 22,000 watts. Larger homes require 25,000 watts or more. 

You can expect a diesel generator to last for up to 30,000 hours of use, which works out to 20 to 25 years with the proper maintenance, of course. That depends on how much you use it, so a diesel generator used for emergencies a couple of times a year will last a lot longer than a generator that takes over for a faulty electrical grid every month for a day or two. 

Whole-house generators can run continuously for extended periods, even for weeks at a time (around 400 to 500 hours), as long as they have a sufficient fuel supply. However, this type of extensive use will increase wear and tear and can shorten the generator's overall lifespan. During long periods of operation, it's important to check and refill the engine oil as needed, potentially as frequently as daily depending on the model. If your generator uses a fuel tank, ensure it is kept full to prevent unexpected shutdowns.

The Atkins, IA homeowners’ guide to generator installs

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