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Avatar for Mangieri Electric
Mangieri Electric
New to Angi
Fixed Generator - InstallFixed Generator - RepairGenerator - Install - For Business+1 more

Serving La Harpe, IL and surrounding areas

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Warranties offered

Mangieri Electric is a trusted, locally owned electrical contractor serving residential, commercial, and industrial clients. We specialize in new construction, remodels, service upgrades, backup generator installations, low-voltage systems, and preventative maintenance. Our licensed electricians are known for quality workmanship, honest communication, and completing jobs on time and on budget. Whether you need troubleshooting, a full electrical system, or a custom solution, we’re committed to powering your home or business safely and efficiently. We're proud members of ABC and hold to the highest standards of professionalism and safety.

Generator Install questions, answered by experts

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.

Here’s what you can run with different wattages and types of generators:

Portable generator:

  • 2,000 watts can handle a large appliance like a freezer or refrigerator, plus a few smaller items like phones or computer chargers. 

  • 4,000 watts will keep two large appliances operating and a few smaller devices.

  • 8,000 watts should power most essential appliances and other devices, including a sump pump, well pump, or your dishwasher.

Partial to whole-house generator:

  • 20,000 watts and above will make it seem like your home’s power is still on.

In most municipalities, you will need a permit to install a permanent home generator, including emergency backup, partial-home, and whole-home generators. A permit for a generator usually costs between $50 and $250, depending on where you live. Your electrician or certified generator installer will usually pull the permit for you—and might be required to do so by your building department—but you’ll be on the hook for the cost of the permit. You should ask your installer before agreeing to any work if they will pull the necessary permits for your project.

Natural gas generators are designed to run for extended periods of time, such as power outages during a natural disaster. Since there’s no limit to the supply of natural gas, they don’t need to stop for refills. However, generators do need maintenance, including pauses to check and add oil. Constantly running them will also cause a lot more wear and tear, leading to a shorter lifespan.

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 La Harpe, IL homeowners’ guide to generator installs

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