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VACA ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING & CONSTRUCTION, CORP.
4.8(
31
)
Fixed Generator - Install

Serving Harvey, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2008

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

We take on a wide range of electrical projects to include full installation for additions and remodels as well as generator installs, wiring and panel upgrades, and a variety of other jobs. We take pride in our quality of work and our commitment to outstanding results. We are committed to providing a personalized service for each individual project we take on. We look forward to building strong, long-term relationships with our clients and guarantee your satisfaction.

Recommended by96%of homeowners
Avatar for M.T. Kelley Electric LLC
M.T. Kelley Electric LLC
5.0(
4
)
Generator - Install - For Business

Serving Harvey, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1994

Warranties offered

Credit card accepted

"Hello, MTK electric was fantastic to deal with, their communication was top notch, they were very transparent about the entire process and the overall price was fair. Would definitely look for their assistance in the future."
Response time8 hrs
Response rate99%
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
Scardino Electric, Inc.
5.0(
3
)
Generator - Install - For BusinessGenerator - Repair - For Business

Serving Harvey, 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
Omar Santacruz
5.0(
1
)
Fixed Generator - InstallPortable Generator - Install

Serving Harvey, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Hello homeowner/customer, my name is Omar Santacruz and I’m your local electrician, I have 5+ years of electrical knowledge and 10+ years of mechanical experience. When it comes down to any repair or fix please don’t hesitate to call and ask around, I will do my best to give you all details and break down costs regarding any upcoming projects, past repairs or even present emergencies. Feel free to reach out @(630)352-6190\nHope to get to work with you, God bless.\n\n¡Hola, propietario(a)/cliente!\nMi nombre es Omar Santacruz y soy su electricista local. Cuento con más de 5 años de experiencia en trabajos eléctricos y más de 10 años de experiencia en mecánica. Cuando se trate de cualquier reparación o instalación, no dude en llamarme o hacer cualquier pregunta. Con gusto le brindaré toda la información necesaria y un desglose claro de los costos relacionados con proyectos futuros, reparaciones anteriores o incluso emergencias actuales.\nNo dude en comunicarse conmigo al (630) 352-6190.

2 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for MLP Electric LLC.
MLP Electric LLC.
5.0(
1
)
Fixed Generator - InstallGenerator - Install - For BusinessPortable Generator - Install

Serving Harvey, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2017

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

We take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality, and customer service that we provide to meet the consumer's needs. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. In order to understand the needs and expectations of our customers, we take great care to work and communicate with every customer in a professional manner. Our reputation is based on service, safety, and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

Response time30 mins
Recommended by100%of homeowners
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Generator Install questions, answered by experts

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.

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.

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.

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 Harvey, IL homeowners’ guide to generator installs

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