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 has been our Electrician of chose for the past three years. I started out using Ron to service my generator after the warranty lapsed. Heâ  s provided that big company expertise with that small organization connection. Since that time Ron and his team have provided electrical services for our entire home. I feel comfortable leaving Ron in our home while weâ  re away which is a huge feat for me particularly. Iâ  m grateful for the service that Ron and his team continues to provide to our family."
"We wanted to try a local contractor and came across Evergreen by chance. It was an excellent experience. Thad was knowledgeable and professional and easy to work with. The crew was exactly the same. Nice, respectful, competent. The worked around my crazy schedule as we had other improvements going on. They had a slight delay in getting the generator as there was a back order, but called and let us know and we worked around it. Laurie in the office was equally good and kept us in communication on details or things to do and schedule etc. I could not be more happy with the experience on such a big purchase. They were always accommodating and helpful. The Generator and switch were high quality and I think the price was fair. They even did some easy side things for us for no charge. We will definitely use them again soon to install an attic fan."
"Awesome! I wanted to do a heavy-up at my new home. I shopped around and got quotes from several companies incl Tim. I chose Paradise because of the price, responsiveness, and professionalism that Tim conducted himself. The job called for significantly more work than expected because of my desire to eventually add a backup generator, Tim made sure that I would not need to reinvent the wheel later and installed the right equipment to meet my future needs. During the course of his work I decided to add several additional outlets and discovered a mis-wired light. He took care of all of the work in short order. Tim is officially my go-to electrician."
"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. "
"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.
"He was fabulous and did a great job. It was a 20kw generator. He was very professional and came in uniform. He was thorough in discussing my options. He was able to install this in my basement instead of hanging it outside. The main reason why I'd recommend him so highly is that the unit I have is a big generator. I have it setup to run on propane. It turned out that the gas company did not lay the line within the county codes. Jim caught that and notified that. They argued with him, but the county came out and determined that it was potentially dangerous. The gas company had to redo the installation for free. He could of just finished the installation, and I would not have known the distance."
We take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service that we provide to meet every consumer's needs.\nIt is our mission to provide excellent customer service from start to completion of a project.\nTo understand the needs and expectations of our customers, we take great care to work and communicate with every customer in a personal and professional manner.\nOur reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.
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.
With proper maintenance, a whole-house generator can last between 20 and 40 years. The specific lifespan depends on how often and for how long the generator is used, and some models may have their life expectancy rated in hours of operation. To maximize its lifespan, expect to spend around $150 to $300 per year for annual maintenance checks from a qualified technician. During these checks, a technician will inspect the engine filter, starting mechanism, fuel, lubrication, and coolant levels. Consulting your installer and choosing a low-impact fuel like natural gas or diesel can also help ensure your generator lasts as long as possible.
You can determine what size generator you need for a transfer switch by matching the switch to the largest outlet on your generator. Larger generators can power up to 10 circuits, while most 5,000-watt generators can provide power to six circuits. So, if your generator’s largest outlet is 30 amps, you’ll need a 30-amp transfer switch.
Yes, in most municipalities, you will need a permit to install a permanent home generator, including emergency backup, partial-home, and whole-home models. Because these installations involve significant alterations to your home's electrical system and produce exhaust fumes, local governments often require a permit or inspection for safety purposes. A generator permit typically costs between $50 and $250, depending on your location. Your electrician or certified installer can usually handle the permitting process for you, but you will be responsible for the cost. It's a good practice to confirm with your installer that they will pull all necessary permits before work begins.
While standby generators provide essential backup power, they can fail when you need them most due to lack of maintenance, fuel supply issues, dead batteries, electrical problems, or improper installation. To avoid costly failures, professional installation and regular maintenance are crucial. Licensed technicians ensure safety, uphold warranty requirements, comply with regulations, and provide expert servicing.
The North Beach, 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.
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.
