Get matched with top generator install pros in Cobden, IL

Q: Do you have to turn off the main breaker when using a generator?

• <div><p>As a safety measure, you should always turn off the main breaker while operating your generator&rsquo;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.</p></div>

Q: How do I determine what size generator my house needs?

• <div><p>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.</p><p>Here are some typical wattage requirements for common appliances:</p><ul><li><p>Refrigerator: 600 watts</p></li><li><p>Large dehumidifier: 700 watts</p></li><li><p>Large window air conditioner: 1,400 watts</p></li><li><p>Water heater: 3,000 to 4,500 watts</p></li><li><p>Electric furnace: 5,000 to 25,000 watts</p></li></ul><p>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.</p><p>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:</p><ul><li><p>1,000 sq ft: 6&ndash;9 kW</p></li><li><p>1,500 sq ft: 7&ndash;10 kW</p></li><li><p>2,000 sq ft: 10&ndash;14 kW</p></li><li><p>2,500 sq ft: 12&ndash;16 kW</p></li><li><p>3,000 sq ft: 16&ndash;20 kW+</p></li></ul><p>For the most accurate sizing, consult a professional who can calculate your home's peak and average power consumption and recommend the optimal generator.</p></div>

Q: What size generator do I need to run a fridge?

• <div><p>While the rating will tell you how many watts the refrigerator needs at the peak of its cycle, it requires additional wattage to start. At the bare minimum, you&rsquo;ll need a 1,500-watt generator to get the fridge up and running after a blackout. A 2,000-watt generator should be sufficient for most home refrigerators.</p></div>

Q: How long does it take to set up utilities?

• <div><p>Setting up utilities on a vacant property usually takes at least a few months, or between 6 weeks to 16 weeks. This process requires working with the local planning and zoning department, hiring a building contractor or engineer to design the utility layout, securing permits, laying the lines, and connecting the utilities.</p></div>

Q: How many days can a standby generator run continuously?

• <div><p>The <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-long-can-whole-house-generator-run-continuously.htm">amount of time a standby generator can run continuously</a> is around <b>3,000 hours</b> on average. However, standby generators can generally run indefinitely as long as they have a continuous fuel supply. Generators hooked up to a home&rsquo;s natural gas supply are the best option for extended usage, as these won&rsquo;t rely on a finite fuel supply based on how much you have in storage. Generators running on liquid propane or diesel won&rsquo;t last as long, as these require fuel storage and regular refueling to stay running.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Generator Install pros in Cobden, IL

*The Angi rating for Generator Install companies in Cobden, IL is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Generator Install needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Generator Install companies in Cobden, IL is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Generator Install needs.

Last update on February 24, 2026

Reviewed in February 2026
Josiah did an excellent job with the drywall! He was always on time and very attentive to detail. He did such a great job, I had him come back to add rock panels to my exterior patio walls and install a new dishwasher as well!
Cornerstone Operations
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Reviewed in July 2023
Bill and his crew were timely and very good. Did the job and cleaned up everything the way that it was. Have had other installers leave a mess but not them. Very happy with the work and knowledge. Would recommend for others to call them first.
Pick 6 Carpentry
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Reviewed in April 2023
Leon quoted me less than half of what other landscaping companies were. He had great communication about when he was coming to do the work. We had him clear out flower beds to install rock, mulch and some plants, take down a small tree and remove rocks that were around the tree. Everything...
TrueCare Landscaping, LLC
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Reviewed in October 2022
LOVE the system Leaf Home Water System installed! Our well water had been contaminated and unusable. Very reasonably priced and they provided affordable financing also. Very professional and reliable. We now have the cleanest, best water in the county! Highly recommend their no maintenance, no...
Leaf Home Water Solutions
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Reviewed in July 2022
Hunter installed a new kitchen vent hood, fixed my basement door, and painted my fireplace. He did a great job. He is a great communicator and worked very hard. He is reliable and trustworthy. I highly recommend him! Hunter, thank you very much!
Good English
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Reviewed in September 2021
Dave knew his business and engineered the entire installation including new boiler, radiators and two ac systems.
Deboer Mechanical Systems
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Reviewed in March 2021
Both me and my wife were surprised of how fast and professional the project of installing an interior door was.
Hammer Worx Contracting
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Reviewed in August 2020
Few months ago, we hired Eli at SES builders to do a major renovation at our house that included the kitchen, bathrooms, installation of new wood floor for the entire house on top of energy efficient double glass windows and all the doors (inside and out). We were very happy with the whole...
SES Builders inc
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Reviewed in October 2019
He is a knowledgeable electrician. Problem is that there was an extra cost due to the new breaker box needing extra wire and the meter switch was broken during the installation process. He still has not come back to put the door on the box and there are NO labels for the breakers. I have...
Smart Tech Guy
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Reviewed in January 2019
David was very easy to work with and flexible. These types of services can obviously be costly and this was no exception. But, between repairing raccoon attic damage, installing hardware to prevent future gutter, garage, and attic damage, I had certainly called David again in the future if I had...
Easton's Wildlife and Mole Control
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Find Generator install pros in Cobden

Holtzclaw Electric

4.9(

)

Fixed Generator - InstallGenerator - Install - For BusinessGenerator - Repair - For Business+1 more

Serving Cobden, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2009

Credit card accepted

Offers commercial services

"Brandon and team wired our new build and did an exceptional job. They showed up when they said they would and we couldnâ t have asked for better service."

Response time2 hrs

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Fixed Generator - InstallFixed Generator - RepairGenerator - Install - For Business+3 more

Serving Cobden, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Very pleased with the quality of the kitchen cabinet installation. Company we contacted with for counter tops also commented on the quality of their work. Customer service was excellent. They arrived as scheduled and quickly responded to messages. Work was done well and on time."

Response time2 days

Response rate90%

55 neighbors recently requested a quote

Fixed Generator - InstallFixed Generator - RepairPortable Generator - Install+1 more

Serving Cobden, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

"Great customer service and follow up after the job was complete."

8 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Down Home Electric

New to Angi

Portable Generator - Repair

Serving Cobden, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Warranties offered

I have been in the electrical union for 14 years, doing everything from residential service calls to running multi million dollar commercial projects. I would love to use my experience and skills to fulfill any need you may have. Whether it is new construction, renovation, or a simple service call. I provide knowledge, craftsmanship, and professionalism to any project you may have.

Fixed Generator - InstallFixed Generator - RepairGenerator - Install+4 more

Serving Cobden, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2010

Emergency services offered

"Great . Arrived timely and did a great job of getting the work done. He also cleaned up after himself"

Recommended by94%of homeowners

Portable Generator - Install

Serving Cobden, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"John installed an outdoor generator connection and a lockout on the main panel. A very fair price, good communication and a very professional, quality installation."

Response time1 day

Response rate99%

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Generator - Install - For BusinessGenerator - Repair - For Business

Serving Cobden, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

We pride our company on reliability, great communication, integrity, and quality work. We strongly believe in giving our absolute best in all of our projects no matter how big or small. We are experts in our trade and will always keep you educated on your particular task or project. We look forward to earning your business!

Response time1 day

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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West KY Home Power, LLC

0.0(

)

Fixed Generator - InstallFixed Generator - RepairGenerator - Install - For Business+3 more

Serving Cobden, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2007

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

West KY Home Power, LLC, has been doing generator installations and service work for over 15 years. Call us today and never be without power again!

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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SOILES

New to Angi

Fixed Generator - InstallFixed Generator - RepairGenerator - Install - For Business+3 more

Serving Cobden, IL and surrounding areas

SO.IL.E.S. in short stands for Southern Illinois Electric Services. We provide customers with a straightforward service. 15+ years of experience. Anything from Solar, Generators, to just replacing switches and outlets.

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Alcorn electric llc

New to Angi

Fixed Generator - RepairPortable Generator - Repair

Serving Cobden, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 1995

Alcorn Electric LLC has been serving the Midwest�s electrical needs for over the last 21 years. With our 24 hour emergency service, Alcorn Electric�s skilled electricians are ready day and night to serve all your electrical emergencies. In combination with our Residential and Commercial services, we are now offering your chance to GO GREEN by bringing SOLAR POWER to the Midwest region. Check out our SOLAR page to learn more about this exciting opportunity to �Save GREEN, by Going GREEN.� \n

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Showing 1-10 of 16

Generator Install questions, answered by experts

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.

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.

While the rating will tell you how many watts the refrigerator needs at the peak of its cycle, it requires additional wattage to start. At the bare minimum, you’ll need a 1,500-watt generator to get the fridge up and running after a blackout. A 2,000-watt generator should be sufficient for most home refrigerators.

Setting up utilities on a vacant property usually takes at least a few months, or between 6 weeks to 16 weeks. This process requires working with the local planning and zoning department, hiring a building contractor or engineer to design the utility layout, securing permits, laying the lines, and connecting the utilities.

The amount of time a standby generator can run continuously is around 3,000 hours on average. However, standby generators can generally run indefinitely as long as they have a continuous fuel supply. Generators hooked up to a home’s natural gas supply are the best option for extended usage, as these won’t rely on a finite fuel supply based on how much you have in storage. Generators running on liquid propane or diesel won’t last as long, as these require fuel storage and regular refueling to stay running.

The Cobden, IL homeowners’ guide to generator installs

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

See all articles

Alison Kasch
•
Jul 10, 2026Jul 10, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Generator Transfer Switch? [2026 Data]
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Taylor Freitas
•
Jul 9, 2026Jul 9, 2026
How Much Does a Whole-House Generator Cost? [2026 Data]
The average cost of a whole-house generator falls between $5,000 and $25,000. Keep reading to learn how much you can expect to spend.
Alison Kasch
•
Jul 8, 2026Jul 8, 2026
How Much Does a Natural Gas Generator Cost? [2026 Data]
Natural gas generators are whole-home standby generators that are connected to your home’s natural gas line. The average cost for a natural gas generator is $12,000.
Dan Simms
•
May 21, 2026May 21, 2026
How to Hire a Generator Installer
Generators should give you peace of mind, but you’ll only get that if your installer knows what they’re doing. Learn how to hire a pro and what red flags to look for.
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•
Jul 8, 2026Jul 8, 2026
Whole-House Generator Installation: A Complete Guide
Whole home generator installations require a professional hand. Read this guide to help you decide which generator is best for your home.
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•
Jul 9, 2026Jul 9, 2026
Who Installs Generators? A Complete Guide
Wondering who to hire to install a generator? Consult this guide to learn who to hire to install a generator or a transfer switch.