Get matched with top generator install pros in Makanda, IL

Q: Can a natural gas generator work without electricity or in a power outage?

• <div><p>Yes, natural gas generators can work without electricity. Natural gas generators are a common type of backup or whole-house generator that operates when the electrical grid isn&rsquo;t working. The trick is using a <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/cost-install-generator-transfer-switch.htm?entry_point_id=33797025">transfer switch</a> (which usually needs to be installed with the generator) that safely switches the home electrical system from the power grid to generator power when needed.</p></div>

Q: How does a generator transfer switch save me money?

• <div><p>It might seem counterintuitive, but installing a generator transfer switch will save you money in the long run. While you&rsquo;ll have to pay between <b>$400 and $2,500</b> to have the transfer switch installed, you&rsquo;ll recoup that amount later on when you don&rsquo;t have to pay for expensive repairs to your appliances, devices, and electrical system that may have burned out, overloaded, or stopped working due to a sudden loss of power or an incorrect <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-to-hook-up-generator-to-house.htm">hook up of a generator to your home</a>. </p></div>

Q: What happens if my whole-house generator is too small for my AC?

• <div><p>An undersized whole-house generator has the potential to overheat and shut down when you try to run a central AC system. This scenario can not only damage the whole-house generator, but can also trip your home&rsquo;s breakers or cause electrical damage. To avoid this situation, hire a local generator installer to correctly size your whole-house generator.</p></div>

Q: Are generators safe to use?

• <div><p>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&rsquo;s electrical panel yourself&mdash;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.</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 Makanda, IL

*The Angi rating for Generator Install companies in Makanda, 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 Makanda, 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 May 2025
They did a wonderful and beautiful job on reframing and installing the tile I would highly recommend this company for all future projects
AAA Flooring Specialist
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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 November 2022
Great product and the installers were very professional and did a great job. Clean-up was a little lite. I found a jelly jar full of nails and parts that could puncture a vehicle or mower tire, but to be fair, they worked past dark, and had a long drive home. Overall I was, and am very pleased...
LeafGuard Holdings Inc
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Reviewed in October 2022
Ron was very professional and was available when I called! He kept me informed on every step of the progress! The prices were great, and the quality of the windows was exceptional! The install team was great as well! They were efficient, professional and completely replaced the windows in...
AmeriSide Exteriors
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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
Ayres provided me prompt service when we had wind damage to our roof, and found an economical solution. With a the doorway install, the company finished sooner than expected, well under budget. Will surely use their services again.
Ayres Building & Roofing, Inc.
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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 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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Find Generator install pros in Makanda

Holtzclaw Electric

4.9(

)

Serving Makanda, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2009

Credit card accepted

Offers commercial services

"He's an excellent electrician and goes the extra mile."

Response time2 hrs

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Serving Makanda, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Needed a sub panel and my entire garage wired(7 120 outlets, 2 240 outlets, and a floodlight put in). They showed up gave a quick run threw and they knocked it out Whole process was quick and easy. Great work at a great price! Would definitely recommend!"

142 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Mid America Lightning Protection

4.5(

)

Serving Makanda, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1969

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Responsive, fair pricing. Quality of installation could have been done a little better as rods were slightly crooked and they did not pull the wiring tout on top of house so not totally parallel to roof line."

+70

Response time6 hrs

Response rate94%

3 neighbors recently requested a quote

Serving Makanda, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Vinc and his crew at VMK did and excellent job and I highly recommend there services ! Dave Caputo"

Response time2 days

Response rate90%

76 neighbors recently requested a quote

Serving Makanda, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2009

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Joe, Mark, and Their Team did a Splendid Job for Us on this Business Phone Line Install. There are Very Knowledgeable and provided the Needed Assessment and "Fix" in a Very Timely Manner. I Highly Recommend Accent Tel USA! God Bless You! Philippians 1:3-6! Have a Wonderful Day in the Neighborhood & "Stay on the Nice List"! :)"

Response time3 hrs

Response rate99%

3 neighbors recently requested a quote

Serving Makanda, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2017

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"618 did an excellent job. There were right on time, worked quickly, cleaned up and were very friendly. They seemed knowledgeable about electrical work and were more than fair with cost. They even installed my DirectTV! I love what they did and would most definitely recommend them."

Response time8 hrs

7 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by75%of homeowners

Serving Makanda, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"If I had more saved up, I would ve hired him."

Response time2 days

Response rate95%

Recommended by93%of homeowners

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AOM Remodeling and Restoration

4.6(

)

Serving Makanda, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2012

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Based on our past experience with AOM (interior painting), we used them to powerwash our home. They had all the appropriate equipment and did an excellent job. Our 20 year old vinyl siding looks totally refreshed. David is easy to work with and goes the extra mile. We will continue to AOM for future projects.
"

Recommended by90%of homeowners

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Lightning Defense, LLC (Illinois)

4.6(

136

)

Serving Makanda, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 1972

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"John Sherlock and his wife are the consummate professionals! I would highly recommend them. Their attention to detail and installation quality, was superb. Johns knowledge of Lighting protection is apparent after 40+ years. You will not be disappointed . July 2020. D.Riggio Carterville, Illinois"

+13

Response time4 hrs

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Serving Makanda, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2008

Emergency services offered

Credit card accepted

"They were informative! It's a family business that is generational in their craft. They explained my unit to me and gave me tips to improve it's care. I will be using them in the future for maintenance."

Recommended by82%of homeowners

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Showing 1-10 of 79

Generator Install questions, answered by experts

Yes, natural gas generators can work without electricity. Natural gas generators are a common type of backup or whole-house generator that operates when the electrical grid isn’t working. The trick is using a transfer switch (which usually needs to be installed with the generator) that safely switches the home electrical system from the power grid to generator power when needed.

It might seem counterintuitive, but installing a generator transfer switch will save you money in the long run. While you’ll have to pay between $400 and $2,500 to have the transfer switch installed, you’ll recoup that amount later on when you don’t have to pay for expensive repairs to your appliances, devices, and electrical system that may have burned out, overloaded, or stopped working due to a sudden loss of power or an incorrect hook up of a generator to your home.

An undersized whole-house generator has the potential to overheat and shut down when you try to run a central AC system. This scenario can not only damage the whole-house generator, but can also trip your home’s breakers or cause electrical damage. To avoid this situation, hire a local generator installer to correctly size your whole-house 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.

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 Makanda, 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
•
May 3, 2026May 3, 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.
Taylor Freitas
•
Apr 6, 2026Apr 6, 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
•
Apr 4, 2026Apr 4, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Generator Transfer Switch? [2026 Data]
The cost to install a generator transfer switch depends on several factors. Our guide will help you understand all of the costs.
Angi
•
May 21, 2026May 21, 2026
How to Hire a Generator Repair Pro
Learn how to find and hire a qualified generator repair pro. Get expert tips on vetting credentials, asking the right questions, and choosing the best technician.
Jenna Jonaitis
•
Mar 19, 2026Mar 19, 2026
6 Questions to Ask About Installing a Fixed Backup Generator
Before installing a fixed generator, think about your use and space. Review these backup generator questions to prepare for a talk with your contractor.
Becca Lewis
•
May 3, 2026May 3, 2026
How to Use a Generator to Power Your House
Having a back-up power source in case of emergency is important. Here’s how to use a generator to power your house.