"Outstanding service. I originally needed an electrician to determine why I lost power to ½ my house. What Jody uncovered was a defective circuit breaker and my main switches overheating and in the process of melting down. He was able to change out the panel and install new breakers immediately. I’m grateful for the prompt response by Gene and the professionalism of Jody and Brian."
"Anthony and his team do expert electrical work of all kinds. We are a 145 year old non-profit organization with buildings and grounds, and have contracted with Technician Engineers Group (TEG) on two large projects (and several small ones) over the last 15 years. One project rewired a large 125 year old building listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and one installed an extensive outdoor lighting system. In these two unusual situations TEG worked closely with us to find innovative solutions to our unique needs. We are very pleased with the results, enjoyed their can-do approach, and highly recommend this company for any electrical challenge. We found TEG reliable, honest, on time, and all the work was completed ahead of schedule."
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.\n
"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."
"EXCELLENT!!! Based on other reviews, I reached out to Paradise to troubleshoot an issue with flickering lights. I was shocked when Tim offered to troubleshoot the issue for free, despite estimating it could take 1.5-2 hours. Tim was prompt (even called to let me know he was running a few minutes late), wore a mask (COVID), was courteous, and determined the issue really quickly. He entertained answering all of my electrical questions, came up with the best path forward to resolving the issue, and provided a very reasonable quote for repairs. I will definitely be having him complete the recommended repairs! It is hard to find tradespeople like Tim in DC; available, knowledgeable, friendly, and, most importantly, a professional who takes pride in his work. If you have a need for an electrician, you must call Paradise Construction."
"Very professional service. The sale person came to verify the scope of work and provided us with a detailed quote. We scheduled the installation soon after. We had only a minor issue, becuase when the technical crew came in they realized that more work was needed (but no change in the quote). We rescheduled the installation a week after and everything went very well. The sale person remained our point of contact before, during and after the installation and he performed a follow up visit to make sure everything was fine. The technical crew was also very professional. I would reccomend them for sure. "
"Everything was fantastic, I was very satisfied with the work - I am really in love with the lights that they installed. I would highly recommend this company to friends and family or anybody that wants to hire an electrician."
"It went very well. Tony is very responsive, courteous, and goes out of his way to make things convenient for the customer. Not only is he very competent and thorough in his work, but he also did a lot of the leg work, picking things up at the electric supply store, returned a couple things that I had incorrectly purchased there in my own trips prior to hiring him, and even went there on my behalf for a bed lamp that needed a new contact. He disconnected it, brought it to the store, took a trip back to the store a week later to pick it up, and reinstalled it for me. Tony could have applied a trip charge for each of the many visits he made to my place but didn't. He also took the time to explain options, solutions, and even gave me a bit of free schooling in electrical work. I highly recommend him and his business.
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.
If you’re wondering whether gas generators produce carbon monoxide, know that natural gas generators do not produce carbon monoxide if they are functioning properly, as natural gas burns cleanly. However, if the generator malfunctions and the gas does not burn completely, there is potential for carbon dioxide to be produced. To prevent malfunctions, it's crucial to perform regular maintenance, including running the generator weekly and scheduling professional inspections every 6 to 12 months. Also, be sure to test your carbon monoxide detectors regularly to ensure they function in the rare case of the generator producing carbon monoxide.
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.
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.
In some situations, yes. Never try to put biofuel into any home generator without checking the specifics first. If a generator has the ability to run on diesel, it can also run pure biofuel (the clear kind made from seed oils, for example). But if you are using biofuel made from animal fats or vegetable oils, the generator will need significant modifications before it can handle a sludgier type of biofuel.
The Indian Head, 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 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.
