"I’m back again to write another stellar review for GAC. Last year they replaced our HVAC system; this year we circled back and had them install a home generator. This was a long and drawn out process due to the various approvals needed from Montgomery County as well as coordination with Washington Gas (which ended up not just being a simple sign off but necessitating an additional, expensive upgrade to the gas line from the street to our home). Nevertheless, GAC did a fantastic job shepherding this process over the 6+ months of waiting on stakeholders, and they were also maximally accommodating to our family’s significant constraints on time and availability (due to health concerns related to a medically fragile family member). A special kudos to Sandy M, GAC’s master electrician, who took it on personally to ensure we were taken care of all throughout this process, going above and beyond with phone calls, text messages, personal visits, etc. on behalf of my family, I want to thank GAC and am giving top marks across the board for this effort which was complex , lengthy, and ultimately successful."
"On both appointments, the technicians (David the first time, Matt & Evan the second time) were respectful and honest, very well organized. And they arrived right on time. We had ceiling fans and recessed lighting installed. They kept the work areas clean. -Frank K., City of Gambrills. My wife and I are very happy with their work, and the jobs were completed in the quoted time, even early! Everything was well explained and questions were answered with the feeling that they weren't in a rush to leave until I was satisfied. We will call again for future jobs."
"Great job helping sort out the open neutral I had. I was able to get the new wire, breaker, and outlets installed so the electronics are isolated on their own circuit. Thanks again."
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
"I wanted to use a locally owned electrical company, if possible, and was very happy to see the number of very good reviews for Evergreen Electric on Angie's list. I called early in the morning and Evergreen Electric was able to work me into their schedule on the same day which I was very grateful for due to the safety concerns of not having properly working smoke alarms in my house. Thad Sale and his assistant showed up at the appointed time and changed out the six smoke alarms very quickly. They also changed out one I had forgotten about (basement) while they were at my house. Also, Thad Sale gave me an estimate for a potential new electric project which seemed very reasonable. Evergreen was very professional and answered all my questions. The work was done very quickly and I feel much safer having properly working smoke alarms in my house. I would definitely call Evergreen Electric for my next electrical project.
"Paradise Construction did a great job. Tim is prompt, knowledgeable and very professional. They did an excellent job on the work and honestly exceeded my expectations. I would definitely hired again and as importantly would highly recommend without reservations."
"They want to work and get pay by hour,but have an open end,I don't want to pay too much to working on a few hundreds dollar generator,and then if he can't not fix after 2 hrs,what can I do?still have to pay $200.00(or more) for nothing.I think if they have a quote for the job,it will be better.(note:my generator is almost new,use less than 1/2 hrs)"
"The guy was on time and nice enough, if a little standoffish. That's okay, I don't like pushy salespeople, either. But he seemed reluctant to give me any information at all. I said I wanted to install a system as soon as possible, he offered "maybe in the spring." It's the dead of winter right now. Every other contractor I've had out is willing to do the work next week. Again, standoffish and strange. He had no pamphlets, no brochures, and nothing to sell. I didn't learn anything about the company or the kind of work that would be done. I'm not at all sure what systems he was going to send me proposals for, but it's been two days, and he hasn't sent me the proposal yet. I've already got three other proposals within the same two day timeframe, have made my decision, and am getting it installed next week. Dynatemp has still sent me nothing. I guess they were way too busy.
UPDATE - Since posting this review, the company has responded by email and apologized for the delay. I've changed the grade of the overall experience so as to not unfairly weight down their overall grade.
UPDATE #2 - I see in the response section that they're saying the guy came out on Thursday. Not true. I even looked at my phone records to confirm it. The guy called me Wednesday at 12:26pm to say he'd be there within half an hour. He was there at 1pm on 2/13. I posted this review on Friday late afternoon, 2/15, well beyond a 48 hour period. Only then, after the negative review, did I hear from them on Saturday morning. I even conceded a bit and updated my review to give them a B grade to reflect such! I'd be weary of dealing with a company that argues over the day they showed up."
"They mislead me by saying they were coming to install when they were really coming to give an estimate. I felt like I was being spoken down to because they were trying to explain something to me, but I already knew what it meant. They assumed I didn’t know what they were talking about. The deal isn’t going to work out because of extra costs."
If your home already has a grinder pump and you’re still noticing issues (like frequently clogged toilets and sinks), it could be time to upgrade your grinder pump. Start by checking your existing horsepower. If there are four or fewer people living in your home, using a 1/2-horsepower grinder pump should be sufficient. Larger households should consider investing in a 1-horsepower grinder pump to maximize wastewater removal efforts.
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.
If you’re wondering if you can use your electric vehicle as a backup battery, it depends on whether your EV is compatible with bidirectional charging. This technology allows energy to flow both ways, enabling vehicle-to-home (V2H) backup power, vehicle-to-load (V2L) for appliances and camping, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) to support the power grid. Compatible EVs convert stored DC energy into usable AC power, helping reduce energy costs and enhance grid stability while providing emergency backup power.
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.
Generators are safe to use as long as they are installed and operated correctly according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The most critical safety tips are to never use a portable or fuel-powered generator inside an enclosed space due to the risk of lethal carbon monoxide poisoning; always operate it outdoors where fumes can dissipate away from your home. Additionally, never attempt to connect a generator to your home’s electrical panel yourself—hire a professional to ensure the setup meets safety standards. Finally, avoid overloading the generator by not connecting more appliances than it is rated for, as this can damage your equipment or cause a fire.
The Owings, 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.
