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Avatar for Tri-State Water, Power & Air
Tri-State Water, Power & Air
4.8(
37
)

Serving Ava, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1993

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Kelly installed a new toilet for us. He did a superb job and he deserves a raise. He has such a great attitude. He is a keeper & again, he deserves a raise!! And I am not his mother or grandmother."
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+3

50 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by97%of homeowners
Avatar for 618 Electric
618 Electric
5.0(
20
)

Serving Ava, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2017

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"They were very professional and got the job done right, in a timely manner and to my specifications. Very pleased. Would highly recommend."
Response time8 hrs
7 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by75%of homeowners
Avatar for Hope Electric
Hope Electric
4.8(
9
)

Serving Ava, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"I am back about 8 months to update my previous review. I hired Hope Electric first to do electrical work, then later to remodel a bathroom and other various small projects before putting my house on the market. I told Hope Electric that my goal was for it to pass inspection the first time. I am thrilled to say that the buyer's inspection report showed no deficiencies! I don't think I even knew that was possible to find no deficiencies. I highly recommend this company."
Response time1 day
Response rate99%
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.

If you’re deciding between a solar battery versus a generator for the best backup power solution, you can take a few factors into consideration. Solar batteries are quiet while generators can be quite loud. Generators have a lower up-front cost, but they require fuel and ongoing maintenance while solar batteries are more expensive but don’t have many ongoing costs.

If you’re wondering whether gas generators produce carbon monoxide, know that natural gas generators do not produce carbon monoxide if they are functioning properly, as natural gas burns cleanly. However, if the generator malfunctions and the gas does not burn completely, there is potential for carbon dioxide to be produced. To prevent malfunctions, it's crucial to perform regular maintenance, including running the generator weekly and scheduling professional inspections every 6 to 12 months. Also, be sure to test your carbon monoxide detectors regularly to ensure they function in the rare case of the generator producing carbon monoxide.

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 average cost to install a home generator is $5,200, but total costs can range from $500 to $18,000 or more. The final price depends on several factors, including the generator's size, type, brand, fuel source, and the cost of labor and assembly. The generator's size is the most significant cost factor, as units that can power larger homes with higher energy demands cost more.

Cost breakdowns by generator type are typically as follows:

  • Portable or Emergency Backup Generators (1kW–7.5kW): $500–$2,000

  • Partial-Home Generators (9kW–20kW): $2,000–$6,500

  • Whole-House Generators (22kW–48kW): $5,000–$18,000

To ensure you get the right size unit for your needs without overpaying, consider hiring an electrician to calculate the electrical load of your essential appliances. It is also recommended to get at least three quotes from qualified installers to find the best fit for your budget.

The Ava, IL homeowners’ guide to generator installs

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