"John was fantasic, professioanl and polite. Showed up early, with everything needed to complete my electric baseboard install in a timely manner. Have faith with hiring Elite Electric!"
"Jarod did an excellent job. Completed an EV outlet install in a few hours. He came out to do an estimate and had all the supplies he needed in his truck and hired him on the spot. Fair pricing and very neat a clean work. EV outlet works like a charm. Will definitely hire him to do future work at my house."
"We just had the generator installed today and are so pleased with the guys from PM Technologies from the electricians, helpers, and Ken the salesman. We couldn't have asked for nicer people to do our job."
Well rounded Carpenter/Handyman with over 20 years of experience. Can even handle small electrical and plumbing tasks as long as it doesn’t need licenses
"These guys did a fantastic job: they were organized and punctual, offered a great product, and provided education on how to use the generator. They even installed an extra conduit without my requesting that they do so in case in the future additional wiring might be required under the driveway, Nick is a real professional and Amber in the office keeps the ship sailing!!"
"Knowledgeable manager and prompt dilligent electricians doing whatever was needed to complete work. Manager provided his cell # to deal with coordination with power company. Electrician provided his cell # if power company showed up early and returned to complete work. Martell stayed true to their cost estimate too."
"I’ve been using Michigan Critical Power for several years to service my generator, and they’ve consistently delivered exceptional service. Their technicians are always on time, highly skilled, and clearly well-trained. What stands out most is their honesty and customer-first mindset — they truly look out for your best interests. I’ve never had a single issue with their work, and I can confidently say they’re reliable in every sense of the word. If you need generator service, I’d highly recommend giving them a call.”"
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.
Portable generators provide backup power for essential appliances during outages and are easy to relocate.
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, natural gas generators can work without electricity. Natural gas generators are a common type of backup or whole-house generator that operates when the electrical grid isn’t working. The trick is using a transfer switch (which usually needs to be installed with the generator) that safely switches the home electrical system from the power grid to generator power when needed.
It’s usually better to repair your generator if it isn’t working properly, as it will typically be much more affordable and should yield similar results. Generator repairs cost around $300 on average, while installing a new whole-house generator costs around $5,000 on average. The only exception is if you know your generator is reaching the end of its useful life, usually between 30 and 40 years. If you have an older generator, you could face multiple repairs in the coming years, which might mean that a full replacement will be more cost-effective over time.
The Bangor, MI homeowners’ guide to generator installs
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Natural gas generators are whole-home standby generators that are connected to your home’s natural gas line. The average cost for a natural gas generator is $12,000.
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.