"Andrew did an excellent job replacing my electrical panel. He was professional, knowledgeable, and took the time to explain everything clearly. The work was completed efficiently, and everything looks great. I'm very satisfied with the quality of the installation and would definitely recommend Andrew to anyone needing electrical work."
"We hired Lighthouse Electrical to install a generator interlock kit for our house and am very impressed at how smooth everything went. They were the cheapest out of 5 quotes, but didn't cut any corners. Corey came out on site for a quote which added comfort that he won't try to extra bill us once the work was to be done, and we got the install scheduled within a week from calling. Christian came out to do the install and once everything was complete he vacuumed up and walked me through how to use the switch. As a cherry on top, they didn't add a surcharge for paying by credit. I couldn't be happier with the experience."
"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"
"He is great with communication! Worked around my schedule! Flexible and gave great ideas for things that would work well for me! Great all around to work!"
"Mitch was very responsive to the original request and came out and provided a quote right away. Despite the challenges with COVID, he still kept me up to date on when they could start the job. He brought out a very professional crew and got the generator installed in 2 days. He kept his word throughout the process. I would recommend him to anyone."
"Don was very pleasant to work with. He did forget to call me about when he would pick up the generator. But with the price and speed and workmanship made up for it."
"Updating our wiring for an electric water heater was sucessfully completed and done in a very timely period . They very efficient and knowledgeable. I would hire them again."
It is safe to run a generator continuously, but you must follow safety protocols to ensure personal and home safety. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for specific recommendations, but the general recommendation is to turn generators off overnight or when you’re away from the house. Overworked generators can pose a fire hazard and if your generator is not in a well-ventilated area, running it continuously could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
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.
Yes, installing a generator usually increases your property value because buyers are getting the added peace of mind knowing they’ll be able to maintain power through blackouts. In most cases, you should see close to a 100% return on investment (ROI). Keep in mind that home generators usually need a permanent foundation, and installing a concrete slab will likely raise your property taxes slightly.
These advanced generators use a key fob or a smartphone app to remotely start, which is ideal for getting power back on immediately without venturing outside. This feature is more common on whole home generators, but you may be able to find it on large portable generators, too.
The Hadley, 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.
