The modern suburban and small town home of today has become an ideal lightning target. The home owner would do well to recognize lightning for the destructive force that it is and protect against this major life and fire hazard. Donohue's Lightning Rods is based in Missouri, near the factory where most of the residential and commercial lightning rod supplies are manufactured. Jim travels regularly to Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New York. Call today to find out when Jim will be in your area. For installations outside Missouri, Kansas, or Texas, Jim waits until there are a few customers lined up, thus being able to provide the same quality services at affordable prices. **WE DO NOT DO ELECTRICAL SERVICES.** (ONLY LIGHTNING RODS)
"The job was beautifully and professionally done. I have a zero scape yard and the gentleman was concerned about disturbing the gravel when putting the rod into the ground. WOW!!!!"
Debra D on June 2025
The modern suburban and small town home of today has become an ideal lightning target. The home owner would do well to recognize lightning for the destructive force that it is and protect against this major life and fire hazard. Donohue's Lightning Rods is based in Missouri, near the factory where most of the residential and commercial lightning rod supplies are manufactured. Jim travels regularly to Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New York. Call today to find out when Jim will be in your area. For installations outside Missouri, Kansas, or Texas, Jim waits until there are a few customers lined up, thus being able to provide the same quality services at affordable prices. **WE DO NOT DO ELECTRICAL SERVICES.** (ONLY LIGHTNING RODS)
"The job was beautifully and professionally done. I have a zero scape yard and the gentleman was concerned about disturbing the gravel when putting the rod into the ground. WOW!!!!"
Tri-State Water, Power & Air has been provided products designed to improve the comfort and quality of life of our customers since 1992. Our specialties include Automatic Home Standby Generators, Residential Water Treatment Equipment, Plumbing and Water Heater installation and service, Safe Rooms, Solar and Battery Power. We expect customer service excellence and aim to go above and beyond on every call. With 9 locations across 8 states, Tri-State is always ready to serve you.
Tri-State Water, Power & Air has been provided products designed to improve the comfort and quality of life of our customers since 1992. Our specialties include Automatic Home Standby Generators, Residential Water Treatment Equipment, Plumbing and Water Heater installation and service, Safe Rooms, Solar and Battery Power. We expect customer service excellence and aim to go above and beyond on every call. With 9 locations across 8 states, Tri-State is always ready to serve you.
We are a technical contractor providing instrumentation services, relief valve service and repair, ground penatrating radar, thermal imaging as well as electrical work of all kinds.
We are a technical contractor providing instrumentation services, relief valve service and repair, ground penatrating radar, thermal imaging as well as electrical work of all kinds.
Sales, Service & Rebuilding of Antique and Classic Car Components such as, Carburetors, Starters, Generators, Fuel Pumps, Double & Single Action Fuel Pump Rebuilding, Water Pumps, Hydraulic Top Pumps, Distributors, and DELCO Knee Action Shocks, We also carry a complete line of NOS and NORS parts. We offer FREE Technical advice for any YEAR Classic Car 609-462-7412
"Beware. They charged me double shipping even after I told them I would wait so I wouldn’t have to pay two shipping fees. The last item was a fuel pump that I had a problem with. I have made 4 calls to ask for help with no return call. Poor"
Frank H on July 2020
Sales, Service & Rebuilding of Antique and Classic Car Components such as, Carburetors, Starters, Generators, Fuel Pumps, Double & Single Action Fuel Pump Rebuilding, Water Pumps, Hydraulic Top Pumps, Distributors, and DELCO Knee Action Shocks, We also carry a complete line of NOS and NORS parts. We offer FREE Technical advice for any YEAR Classic Car 609-462-7412
"Beware. They charged me double shipping even after I told them I would wait so I wouldn’t have to pay two shipping fees. The last item was a fuel pump that I had a problem with. I have made 4 calls to ask for help with no return call. Poor"
Frank H on July 2020
Generator Install questions, answered by experts
Generally, you’ll want to keep between 60 and 70 feet between the generator and the transfer switch. There are a few reasons for this, including:
The distance reduces the noise coming from the generator into your home.
It increases efficiency because you won’t have a voltage drop from this short of a distance.
Prevents carbon monoxide poisoning: keep at least 15 feet between your generator and an open window.
Never use a portable generator inside an enclosed space, as the carbon monoxide exhaust it creates is lethal.
Never attempt to connect your generator to your home’s electrical panel independently; hire a professional for this dangerous job.
Never overload your generator by connecting more appliances than for which it’s rated; you can damage your generator and appliances or even cause a fire.
Generators run on a variety of fuel types, ranging from natural gas to solar power. Keep in mind that fuel costs varying by type:
Natural gas: $2,000–$21,000 per year
Liquid propane: $2,000–$21,000 per year
Diesel: $3,000–$20,000 per year
Gasoline: $500–$3,000 per year
Solar generator: $2,000–$25,000 per unit
Battery backup: $10,000–$25,000 per unit
Generator size requirements vary wildly among properties, but typical generator sizes are listed below based on home square footage:
1,000 sq ft: 6–9 kW
1,500 sq ft: 7–10 kW
2,000 sq ft: 10–14kW
2,500 sq ft: 12–16kW
3,000 sq ft: 16–20kW+
Unfortunately, home square footage isn’t always a good indicator of generator size requirements. Instead, you should call in a professional to discuss which items in your home you’d like to run via your generator. They can calculate peak and average consumption for those items and then size your generator appropriately for optimal performance.
Energy output depends on turbine size, average wind speed at your site, and system efficiency. A 5 kW turbine in a good wind location can generate 8,000 to 12,000 kilowatt-hours per year, which may cover a large portion of an average home’s needs. Accurate output estimates require a professional wind assessment and a review of your household’s energy usage patterns.
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The Altamont, KS homeowners’ guide to generator installs
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Keeping on top of generator maintenance and repairs gives you extra peace of mind as a homeowner. Find out how much regular generator maintenance costs.
When the power goes out, your whole house generator can keep your home running if it has enough propane to fuel it. Read our guide to propane use for whole house generators to determine how much you need.
Whole house generators can power homes when electric problems hit, but they aren’t for everyone. Here’s what you should know when you’re thinking about buying.