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Avatar for Tri-State Water, Power & Air
Tri-State Water, Power & Air
5.0(
5
)
Fixed Generator - InstallGenerator - InstallGenerator - Install - For Business

Serving Richmond, IL and surrounding areas

Approved (Corporate)

In business since 1992

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

We are the experts in the field of Whole Home Generator Sales and Installation, with over 20 years of experience in the game.\nWe provide turn-key installation by licensed professionals - 24 hour emergency service - Remote Monitoring - Long term maintenance and service by factory trained technicians.

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+3

18 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Imperial electric
Imperial electric
5.0(
18
)
Fixed Generator - InstallFixed Generator - RepairPortable Generator - Install

Serving Richmond, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Warranties offered

"Daniel from Imperial Electric did an excellent job for us. We had a relatively small issue that he rectified for us very quickly and then did a very thorough inspection of our entire house at our request. He made a number of recommendations to upgrade our old electrical system that were practical, reasonable and in line with current codes."
33 neighbors recently requested a quote
Watts Electrical & Construction Services
4.5(
52
)
Generator - Install - For Business

Serving Richmond, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2005

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Pete was very nice and he was very knowledgeable about his job. I would recommend Watts Electrical to my friends and family. Pete gave my son in law a great idea and explained how to do it, he said that it was a good idea to save money, they just bought the house and he was very very nice. He did not make it the day before but he called to reschedule and he showed up the next day and was very quick to find the problem and explained how to fix one. We would recommend him for all of your electrical needs."
Response time4 hrs
4 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by95%of homeowners
Avatar for Kind Electric, LLC
Kind Electric, LLC
5.0(
6
)
Fixed Generator - InstallGenerator - Install - For BusinessPortable Generator - Install

Serving Richmond, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

At Kind Electric, we provide reliable, high-quality residential and commercial electrical services to homes and businesses throughout McHenry County and the surrounding communities. Whether you need emergency electrical repairs, panel upgrades, custom lighting installations, or routine wiring maintenance, our skilled team delivers safe, code-compliant workmanship done right the first time. We pride ourselves on transparent communication, fair pricing, free estimates, and standing behind our work with a clear warranty. \n\nKind Electric - Kindess Included

Chandelier Install
Panel Before / After
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
Scardino Electric, Inc.
5.0(
3
)
Generator - Install - For BusinessGenerator - Repair - For Business

Serving Richmond, 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
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Generator Install questions, answered by experts

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.

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.

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.

If you have a transfer switch properly installed, the generator and main electrical power cannot feed the system at the same time. However, you should still shut off the power at your main circuit breaker panel before activating the generator. If you do that, you’ll simply need to shut off the generator and reset your circuit breaker once the local power comes back on.

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 Richmond, IL homeowners’ guide to generator installs

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