"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."
"I had an excellent experience with Kevin. He installed a very large and complex crystal chandelier in our foyer, and the entire process was handled with exceptional professionalism and precision. This was not a simple installation,the chandelier is heavy, intricate, and required careful assembly and mounting at a significant height,but he approached the job with patience, attention to detail, and clear expertise.
He took the time to ensure every component was perfectly aligned and secure, and the final result looks absolutely stunning. The installation was done safely, efficiently, and with great care for our home.
I would highly recommend him to anyone needing electrical work, especially for challenging or high-end lighting installations. Truly outstanding workmanship."
"Outstanding! Super professional. Offered advice on my electrical installation and did the work quickly. I was very pleased with the end installation."
"Your technician that came out to do a yearly maintenance inspection on my generator was very nice and knowledgeable. He arrived actually earlier than expected and went right to work. I would recommend your company to anyone and it was so nice to deal with someone who acted like they enjoyed their work and wanted to please. Thank you!"
"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."
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."
"Patrick, who supervised the installation of a generator which I had, also worked up the initial recommendations and estimate. This generator was used, but that did not deter Patrick from coming up with a plan. Other contractors sent estimators who were more sales people than experienced generator contractors. Only Ritzau made the recommendation to replace the old fashioned transfer switch which came with the unit with an up to date digital transfer switch. This "
"I originally called Anthony because I really needed help, I had just let another Electrican go and needed someone to step in to fix an electrical problem. He responded within minutes to my request, the Team did a fantastic job installing my Clients light fixtures and new electrical outlets. They were extremely professional, walked us through each step explaining what would need to happen. Their pricing was reasonable and fair. If I had a question or a concern, Anthony responded quickly to my questions. I would strongly recommend them to anyone. They are now my Electrical resource, which is a resource my Clients expect as we are a full-Interior Design Consulting Company. Thanks Mimi"
Yes, in some locations, it is required by the National Electric Code (NEC) to have a transfer switch installed for electrical emergencies. 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.
As a safety measure, you should always turn off the main breaker while operating your generator’s backup breaker. In addition, you should also switch off all appliance breakers so you don't have a power surge when the main breaker turns back on. And finally, turning off the main breaker prevents back-feeding, which endangers utility workers with the risk of electrocution. Back-feeding could also destroy the electrical circuits of your neighbors if they use the same power network.
While the rating will tell you how many watts the refrigerator needs at the peak of its cycle, it requires additional wattage to start. At the bare minimum, you’ll need a 1,500-watt generator to get the fridge up and running after a blackout. A 2,000-watt generator should be sufficient for most home refrigerators.
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.
In most cases, there are no tax credits available for home generators. However, that’s a general statement that applies to federal tax credits, so you might have access to state or local tax incentives. You can check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) for more information about your area. If you hire a reliable home generator installer, they should also know if there are any state or local perks you can use to reduce your installation costs, including tax breaks and rebates.
The Westphalia, 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.