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Verified Reviews for Generator Install pros in Sterling, IL

*The Angi rating for Generator Install companies in Sterling, 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 Sterling, 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 August 28, 2024

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Avatar for Tri-State Water, Power & Air
Tri-State Water, Power & Air
5.0(
5
)

Serving Sterling, 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

43 neighbors recently requested a quote
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The Electric Guys LLC
5.0(
6
)

Serving Sterling, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"I first asked for a quote back in February of 2024. When I received the quote I decided to wait on this project. Then we lost power for 2 days due to a storm. I then decided it was time and contacted the contractor again. He sent me an updated quote and the project was scheduled. It's now installed and I'm very happy with how it turned out. Hopefully it will be a long time before we need to use the generator because we lose our power. But we are ready when it happens. I will definitely use this company again for any electrical jobs that come up. Andrew and his crew were great."
Response time1 day
Recommended by100%of homeowners
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Generator Install questions, answered by experts

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.

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.

Yes, installing a generator usually increases your property value because buyers are getting the added peace of mind knowing they’ll be able to maintain power through blackouts. In most cases, you should see close to a 100% return on investment (ROI). Keep in mind that home generators usually need a permanent foundation, and installing a concrete slab will likely raise your property taxes slightly.

In some situations, yes. Never try to put biofuel into any home generator without checking the specifics first. If a generator has the ability to run on diesel, it can also run pure biofuel (the clear kind made from seed oils, for example). But if you are using biofuel made from animal fats or vegetable oils, the generator will need significant modifications before it can handle a sludgier type of biofuel.

The Sterling, IL homeowners’ guide to generator installs

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

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