What types of fuel do generators take?

• <div><p>Generators run on a variety of fuel types, ranging from natural gas to solar power. Keep in mind that fuel costs varying by type:</p><ul><li><p>Natural gas: $2,000–$21,000 per year </p></li><li><p>Liquid propane: $2,000–$21,000 per year</p></li><li><p>Diesel: $3,000–$20,000 per year</p></li><li><p>Gasoline: $500–$3,000 per year</p></li><li><p>Solar generator: $2,000–$25,000 per unit</p></li><li><p>Battery backup: $10,000–$25,000 per unit</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

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Q: Do installations include unit assembly?

• <div><p>Many services include assembling the unit and securing it in the window. Confirm with your provider.</p></div>

Q: Do I really need a generator transfer switch?

• <div><p>Yes, in some locations, it is required by the National Electric Code (NEC) to have a transfer switch installed for <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/what-is-an-electrical-emergency.htm">electrical emergencies</a>. In addition to following electrical code, generator transfer switches ensure your home is fully protected during a power outage. By switching the power from the main breaker to the generator breaker, you can seamlessly operate your HVAC, lights, appliances, devices, and more during an emergency. </p></div>

Q: Can a portable generator power an entire home?

• <div><p>A portable generator can supply power to selected appliances and circuits in a home, but it's generally not designed to handle the entire household's electrical needs simultaneously. Portable generators have limited wattage capacity, so they are only designed to power essential devices and electronics temporarily until local power is restored. If your power needs outweigh the capabilities of a portable generator, consider installing a <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/installing-whole-house-generator.htm">whole-home generator</a> instead. </p></div>

Q: How do I reduce AC startup power for a generator?

• <div><p>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.</p></div>

There are 10 highly-rated local generator install pros.

Verified Reviews for Generator Install pros in Manchester, MD

*The Angi rating for Generator Install companies in Manchester, MD is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Generator Install needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Generator Install companies in Manchester, MD is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Generator Install needs.

Last update on October 04, 2025

Reviewed in April 2025
The Electrician Larry Hendrickson, upgraded the electronics in our entire home. With the upgrade we are able to not only use multiple major appliances at once but able to use the USB to charge our devices on every floor. With this upgrade we were able to use a stationary generator in our back...
LARRY HENDRICKSON ELECTRIC, LLC
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Reviewed in December 2024
Boyland Service Technicians are knowledgeable, through, and professional. Their generator assessments have insured that we always have successful back up power experiences which are crucial since we live in the country.
Boyland Electric Inc
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Reviewed in September 2014
Vic and James were extremely efficient, they explained everything, and they couldn't have been more pleasant. If only all service work were of this quality.
Murphy Family Electric
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Reviewed in May 2013
The installation was very professional and the staff helpful and responsive. The only issue was that the process is very confusing with regard to licenses, initial and final inspections etc. We got different versions of the process from different members of the staff which made the process a...
Arundel Cooling Heating & Electrical Co Inc
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Reviewed in May 2025
BEWARE!! JBI Services is managed by a bunch of frauds and incompetent people. They will sell you unneeded and useless devices and service contracts if you're not extremely careful. DO NOT USE!! They will do everything in their power to drum up additional business for themselves so they can...
JBI Services LLC
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Reviewed in February 2019
Excellent. I have nothing - but good things to say about Wireworx. Chris- the owner is meticulous and efficient. He returns calls quickly and really helps to get to the root of any home electrical issues. I will definitely use Wireworx again- no question.
Wireworx Electric Inc
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Reviewed in August 2022
Excellent! The whole process was explained well, and the installation was very clean and efficient.
Tim Kyle Electric Heating & Cooling
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Reviewed in October 2013
Overall, a very good experience with Tri-Star. The electrical work is second to none. However, I didn't have a good experience with their pluming subcontractor, J&R Plumbing of Millersville. I ended up having to hire AVS plumbing to correct their work. To date our generator system has run...
TriStar Electric
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