"Outstanding! Super professional. Offered advice on my electrical installation and did the work quickly. I was very pleased with the end installation."
Calvert Generator is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.
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"They were prompt, courteous, and informative. During the estimation process Darnell was very good and provided a very competitive price. I am pleased with the work done to install a new EV charger on the outside of our house"
"Larry and his crew upgraded our under cabinet lighting with new LED lighting, and specialized outlet. Not only was our home and its contents treated as if they lived here, the job was done professionally. So much so, that the only issue we had was when the switch/outlet face plate screws came loose. I didn’t even bother calling Larry, I tightened them myself. The lighting is on, literally 24 hours per day since the install, with zero issues. Love these guys."
"Ron Ethridge (owner) did the work. He was friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and experienced. He was available on the phone during the project - after hours and weekends. He is very familiar with permitting and licensing and working with Pepco and the inspectors."
"We had been considering a home generator for a few years as the power grid we are on has periodic problems, with no solution in sight from Dominion Power. We did our due diligance on interviewing a number of providers found on Angies List. In the end, we had a couple of good offers, but none we are responsive as Patrick Collins of Ritzau. LLC. Patricks team we very responsive and professional. From the time I asked to schedule for an estimate until the deal was complete...he was always matter of fact and to the point, timely with responses to my questions, and was always open and honest. His company is smaller than some I interviewed, and he actaully is the installer and has hands on the entire project. Others companies while competitive, had sales reps visit and do the estimates, and were not part of the install team. It has been my experience that you want to deal directly with the team lead for these types of projects, and Patrick was the best. The package deal included the lastest Generac 22KW generator, vice the 20KW that others offered. The long pole in the tent was getting Washington Gas to install upgraded gas meter that would accomodate the generator, and the Fairfax Country inspections. Overall this was an excellent experience. I would highly recommend Ritzau, LLC and Patrick Collins to anyone who is serious about getting a home generator. They are the pros and get down to business. Quick, professional and timely.
"Anthony is a true professional. He is very personable which made him easy to talk to. The young men working for him were courteous and about their business. Thought the prices were reasonable. Excellent service. If you are thinking about upgrading, installing outlets or any of your electrical needs, I highly recommend calling this company first."
"I ended up hiring someone else who could install a ceiling fan as Paradise Construction was afraid of needing to tear up a large section of the ceiling and I didn’t want to create additional work and expense."
"We would definitely contact Mr. Williams for more household projects. He installed a gas cooktop with a downdraft for us. During the install, he discovered that the vent pipe being used by the old downdraft fan was too small. To ensure that we would have a working cooktop that evening, Mr. Williams went to the hardware store for new parts. The price of the project was very reasonable. He also followed COVID-19 safety protocols (mask, gloves, social distancing, staying within the worksite) for the entire project."
Sizing a generator is a careful process that requires calculating the electrical load of your entire house. You have to take into account every device you want to use and their wattage requirements, plus the wattage needed to start them, and look for a generator that can safely run all that at around 80% capacity.
In more practical terms, a small home can run on a 10,000-watt generator (and if you only want to power a few key appliances, much less than that). A mid-sized home may need something between 15,000 and 22,000 watts. Larger homes require 25,000 watts or more.
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
Whole-house generators can run continuously for extended periods, even for weeks at a time (around 400 to 500 hours), as long as they have a sufficient fuel supply. However, this type of extensive use will increase wear and tear and can shorten the generator's overall lifespan. During long periods of operation, it's important to check and refill the engine oil as needed, potentially as frequently as daily depending on the model. If your generator uses a fuel tank, ensure it is kept full to prevent unexpected shutdowns.
An undersized whole-house generator has the potential to overheat and shut down when you try to run a central AC system. This scenario can not only damage the whole-house generator, but can also trip your home’s breakers or cause electrical damage. To avoid this situation, hire a local generator installer to correctly size your whole-house generator.
Setting up utilities on a vacant property usually takes at least a few months, or between 6 weeks to 16 weeks. This process requires working with the local planning and zoning department, hiring a building contractor or engineer to design the utility layout, securing permits, laying the lines, and connecting the utilities.
The District Heights, MD 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 Baltimore, MD varies based on factors like generator size, fuel type, and installation complexity. Learn the typical price range and what influences your total cost.
The cost to install a whole-house generator in Washington, DC 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.
Thinking about a generator installation? Learn about backup power options, costs to expect, and how to hire the right local pro to keep your home running.