"Could not have asked for better service. The recommended product is working great, the installers were professional and so far the service technicians are top notch."
"RaLo Enterprise LLC, is one of my favorite contractors and the owner Mike, was AMAZING! He was prompt, friendly, trustworthy, reasonable and just plain AWESOME!!! I waited a year to have this work done because I was terrified of the cost and being ripped off. But, that was before I found RaLo!! Mike was pleasant, hard working and I have never been happier! Because of him, I'm getting all the electric changes and issues in my home fixed! You won't ever regret hiring him, nor will you be disappointed! Simply put, AMAZING! AAAAA+++++"
"My home needed a new circuit panel. I wanted to find an electrician who was very familiar with construction style in my neighborhood, Hyattsville, MD. I posted a message on the local listserve and received a referral for S&S Electric. I contacted Steve and S&S and told him about my home's needs, and it's old construction style. He was very courteous and informative. He gave me a quick estimate and fair price. Steve and his crew completed the work in one day. I experienced no downtime in my home. He even installed a wifi switch for me free of charge. I would happily recommend S&S Electric to any local homeowner."
"On June 10, I had a company to install security equipment in my home. In doing so, the installer drilled through a wire and I did not have electricity in several outlets due to the damage. Since the company did not have an electrician on staff and was unable to refer me to anyone, I turned to Angie’s List for help in finding someone to correct the problem. I called Hands on Electric on June 11 and spoke to the owner, Kevin Williams. I explained my problem to Mr. Williams and he gave me a window of time in which he would be able to come out. Not only was he able to come out the same day that I called, but Mr. Williams was able to come much earlier than expected. Once he arrived he was able to trouble shoot and diagnose the problem. Mr. Williams was very, very friendly, professional and honest. He was able to answer my husband’s questions and explained what he was doing as he made the repairs. My husband was very happy about that and we were both impressed by the years of experience Mr. Williams had for his age. I have been looking for an electrician for a while now and have decided that I will be using Hands on Electric for all of my future projects. I was very pleased with the work that was done by Mr. Williams and will recommend him to my friends and family when they need of electrical services."
"Very responsive, extremely knowledgeable, excellent problem solvers. They kind of really solved the mystery of why the generator didn't work that had to do with the electric."
"Your technician that came out to do a yearly maintenance inspection on my generator was very nice and knowledgeable. He arrived actually earlier than expected and went right to work. I would recommend your company to anyone and it was so nice to deal with someone who acted like they enjoyed their work and wanted to please. Thank you!"
"Friendly. Answers phone calls immediately. Antonio called the day of the service to confirm appointment. He arrived on time. Installed 2 ceiling fans in a timely manner. Cost- effective. I would recommend and hire again"
"I am absolutely satisfied with Chris and the quality his work. I had a long list of electrical needs during home renovations. He installed ceiling fans, light fixtures, moved outlets, and installed new outlets. He was flexible with his schedule and worked alongside my other contractor's. He was respectful, courteous and assisted with renovation problem solving. I highly recommend Wilk & Son Electric."
To power a central air system during a power outage, the whole-house generator will need to be at least 5,000 watts, and this number will significantly increase for larger units. Check the specific wattage requirements of your AC unit to choose the right generator size. Consider consulting a generator installer to ensure your whole-house generator meets your electrical load needs.
Natural gas and electricity rates vary significantly based on location, and pricing can change over time, too. It’s possible that in locations where natural gas is particularly inexpensive, it will cost less than grid-based electricity will. However, you should also factor in the generator’s initial costs and maintenance needs, as well as its noise level and if it can comfortably power all your home appliances.
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.
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.
No, you should never plug a generator directly into a wall outlet in your house. This practice is extremely dangerous, often illegal, and can cause "back-feeding," where power from the generator flows back into utility lines, creating a life-threatening hazard for utility workers. It can also damage your home's electrical system, including appliances like pumps and HVAC fans. If the main power is restored while the generator is connected, it can destroy the generator and cause an electrical fire. To safely connect a generator, you must use a professionally installed transfer switch or an interlocking kit, which prevents back-feeding by disconnecting your home from the utility grid before the generator provides power.
The Dunkirk, MD 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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