"Mr. Bailey assembled the fan, installed it properly and quickly. He took the old fan to the curb so that I wouldn't have to. The cost (211.50) was a bit more than I had anticipated but the value for the service was reasonable. I can wholeheartedly recommend Lighthouse Electrical Service."
"We lost power after a horrific storm and we contacted them and they sent a tech out after hours and got your generator back up and running. I would highly recommend. Will use again if this ever happens again and we will be referring all of our customers, family and friends to. I'll take care of you guys!"
"wonderful company, i had a specialty issue; needed a new attic fan to vent the heat from a very hot atrium to the outside. these guys came over, took out the old fan, ordered the new one and installed. contractors were very polite, knowledgeable & expedient once the decision was made, i recommend to all."
"Phil at Lake Road Electric was great with customer service, full transparency on pricing, and not only getting the job done in a timely matter, but more importantly, making sure the job was done right! I will be calling Lake Road Electric for my next project and I highly recommend!"
"I called them and they came out within in a week. Quoted the job and completed it the same day. Very professional. Very nice workers. They were absolutely outstanding"
"Doug is a master electrician and has completed not only a panel upgrade for us but several other electrical projects. He’s knowledgeable, reliable, and easy to work with. What really stands out is that he genuinely cares about the quality and appearance of the finished product—not just getting the job done, but making sure it looks great too. Highly recommend and will continue to call True Line electric for my electrical needs."
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.
You can expect a diesel generator to last for up to 30,000 hours of use, which works out to 20 to 25 years with the proper maintenance, of course. That depends on how much you use it, so a diesel generator used for emergencies a couple of times a year will last a lot longer than a generator that takes over for a faulty electrical grid every month for a day or two.
A 1,500 square foot home will likely need a 15kW to 20kW generator. When deciding on whole-house generator size, add up the total wattage of the devices that you’d like to continue running during a power outage. That way, you can ensure you purchase a generator that can power your necessary appliances or medical equipment during an electrical emergency.
Here’s what you can run with different wattages and types of generators:
Portable generator:
2,000 watts can handle a large appliance like a freezer or refrigerator, plus a few smaller items like phones or computer chargers.
4,000 watts will keep two large appliances operating and a few smaller devices.
8,000 watts should power most essential appliances and other devices, including a sump pump, well pump, or your dishwasher.
Partial to whole-house generator:
20,000 watts and above will make it seem like your home’s power is still on.
DIY is possible for basic setups. Professional installation ensures safe and proper electrical connections.
The Goodrich, 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.