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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
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.

Many services include assembling the unit and securing it in the window. Confirm with your provider.

A 10,000-watt generator can run a small to mid-sized central AC unit (typically up to 3 tons or 36,000 BTU) along with a few other appliances. However, larger AC units or additional loads will require a bigger generator. Consult a local generator installer to ensure you add the correct size generator to your home.

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.

Most homeowners won't be able to claim a home generator as a tax write-off. However, a whole-house generator may be tax-deductible in certain situations depending on its purpose. For instance, if it's needed to power essential medical equipment, it may qualify as a medical expense deduction. Also, in some cases, businesses can deduct a generator as a business expense if it supports operations. Always consult a tax professional to determine eligibility based on your specific circumstances and the applicable IRS regulations.

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.