"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.
"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."
"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."
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.
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.
Homeowners can often access federal tax credits, such as the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which covers a percentage of installation costs. Many states and utilities offer additional rebates, grants, or performance-based incentives. These programs can significantly lower your upfront investment. Check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) or contact your local energy office for current offers.
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.
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.
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.
