"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."
"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"
"You will not find anyone more knowledgeable, dependable and trustworthy than Doug for your electrical needs!! Stacey is terrific on the admin side of things and keeps the business running smoothly. Together, they make such a terrific team! We have had Doug take care of our needs throughout several homes that we have owned over the years. There is no one else that I would want to take care of us than True Line Electric!!"
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.
Generators run on a variety of fuel types, ranging from natural gas to solar power. Keep in mind that fuel costs varying by type:
Natural gas: $2,000–$21,000 per year
Liquid propane: $2,000–$21,000 per year
Diesel: $3,000–$20,000 per year
Gasoline: $500–$3,000 per year
Solar generator: $2,000–$25,000 per unit
Battery backup: $10,000–$25,000 per unit
The average cost to install a home generator is $5,200, but total costs can range from $500 to $18,000 or more. The final price depends on several factors, including the generator's size, type, brand, fuel source, and the cost of labor and assembly. The generator's size is the most significant cost factor, as units that can power larger homes with higher energy demands cost more.
Cost breakdowns by generator type are typically as follows:
Portable or Emergency Backup Generators (1kW–7.5kW): $500–$2,000
To ensure you get the right size unit for your needs without overpaying, consider hiring an electrician to calculate the electrical load of your essential appliances. It is also recommended to get at least three quotes from qualified installers to find the best fit for your budget.
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.
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.