"I should have asked the cost before having the work done as I was surprised that it was $400. to have them installed which was double the cost of the actual fans. Otherwise everything else was perfect."
"Mike was responsive and able to give us an appointment quickly within a few days of our initial phone call. We needed a chandelier and light fixture installed. His electrician Max was knowledgeable, professional and did a great job."
"Jose responded promptly to my inquiry to install smoke/CO. Detectors in my home. Scheduled estimate and was able to complete install the same day even earlier than planned. He provided reasonably priced and quality service. I hope to use his services again and would recommend to friends."
"Scott was amazing ! He is professional, punctual, and precise in his work! He has done both outdoor and indoor electrical installations and we know that he is a master electrician that we can trust and count on to perform outstanding work. We are thrilled to have him as a professional that we can depend to do a marvelous job! We recommend him unconditionally!"
"The technician was personable and arrived on time. He answered all of my questions. He even had the office call me the same day with regard to an inquiry about getting a new furnace."
"I have called Michael into a few projects. He offers an array of services from wiring a full house to simple fixtures. He recently separated a four family offering all new meters and main panels. When it comes to electrical I don’t think there is anything he can’t do. Without hesitation, I recommend him to all."
"Rene and his team were excellent in installing my new LED exterior lighting at my home .
His team arrived in a bucket truck and worked safely. Highly recommend him"
"They installed all of my new recessed lighting throughout my house and I could not be happier with how it came out! Reasonably priced, on time and know what they are doing! Highly recommend!"
To reduce AC startup power for a whole-house generator, install a soft start kit or hard start capacitor, which lowers the initial surge by gradually ramping up the compressor. Using a smart load manager can also help by staggering startup loads, preventing a system overload and future costly repairs.
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.
In many cases, yes. There are models called dual-fuel generators and fuel switches, but only between certain types of fuel. For example, with the right setup you can convert a generator from natural gas to propane. Some allow switching between diesel and gasoline. There are even tri-fuel generators available in some cases, which adds a large layer of security if you are worried about fuel availability in times of crisis. Always check your generator capabilities and manual instructions before trying to switch fuels. Some generators can use another fuel but may need a fuel conversion kit to prep them first.
Generators are usually sized by running watts and starting watts. Ideally, you’ll want a generator that can offer both the necessary running watts and starting watts for everything you need to power without going beyond 90% of its capacity. Calculate your home’s electrical load based on the breakers in your home or adding up the appliance and lighting needs of connected rooms.
Whole-house generators need to be installed on level ground several feet away from walls and other objects. Because they tap into the electrical system directly, they usually need to be close to your home electrical panel for a transfer switch installation. It also helps with installation if they are near to a gas line or propane tank installation.
The Wakefield, MA homeowners’ guide to generator installs
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
The cost to install a whole-house generator in Boston, MA varies based on factors like generator size, fuel type, and installation complexity. Learn the typical price range and what influences your total cost.
Generators should give you peace of mind, but you’ll only get that if your installer knows what they’re doing. Learn how to hire a pro and what red flags to look for.