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Avatar for Tri-State Water, Power & Air
Tri-State Water, Power & Air
5.0(
5
)
Fixed Generator - InstallGenerator - InstallGenerator - Install - For Business

Serving Antioch, IL and surrounding areas

Approved (Corporate)

In business since 1992

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

We are the experts in the field of Whole Home Generator Sales and Installation, with over 20 years of experience in the game.\nWe provide turn-key installation by licensed professionals - 24 hour emergency service - Remote Monitoring - Long term maintenance and service by factory trained technicians.

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+3

26 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Your IT Guy
Your IT Guy
4.7(
47
)
Portable Generator - Install

Serving Antioch, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2002

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Chuck was great, not only installed a microwave outlet but also the microwave itself. Very satisfied with his work. Will definitely call again or recommend."
Response time6 hrs
21 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by78%of homeowners
Scardino Electric, Inc.
5.0(
3
)
Generator - Install - For BusinessGenerator - Repair - For Business

Serving Antioch, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1970

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

With over 50 years of business serving the Chicago metro area, Scardino Electric, Inc., is the way to go for all your wiring and panel upgrade needs. We take great pride in our extreme professionalism, timeliness, and superior customer service on every job. We make sure to do excellent work on every visit, answer all questions, and develop lasting relationships with all our clients so, that the next time service is needed, there will be no question on who to call. Contact us today for a free estimate. Satisfaction Guaranteed!

Response time11 hrs
Response rate100%
Recommended by100%of homeowners
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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.

Generators are safe to use as long as they are installed and operated correctly according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The most critical safety tips are to never use a portable or fuel-powered generator inside an enclosed space due to the risk of lethal carbon monoxide poisoning; always operate it outdoors where fumes can dissipate away from your home. Additionally, never attempt to connect a generator to your home’s electrical panel yourself—hire a professional to ensure the setup meets safety standards. Finally, avoid overloading the generator by not connecting more appliances than it is rated for, as this can damage your equipment or cause a fire.

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. 

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.

The Antioch, IL homeowners’ guide to generator installs

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