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  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.9
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  • Verified reviews icon12
    Verified generator installs reviews

Find Generator install pros in Southgate

Avatar for Reliant Electric
Reliant Electric
5.0(
72
)

Serving Southgate, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Very respectful, on time, and did the work professionally. Will definitely keep their card on the fridge :) We installed an external receptacle for our portable generator and a mechanical interlock for safety to prevent back feeding to the grid"
Response time10 hrs
Response rate98%
46 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Vintage Electric Service
Vintage Electric Service
5.0(
1
)

Serving Southgate, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

We pride the company on reliability, excellent communication, integrity, and quality work. We strongly believe in giving our absolute best in all our projects no matter how big or small. We look forward to earning your business! Our team is bilingual and can assist you fluently in both English and Arabic.

Response time50 mins
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Next Generations Power, LLC
Next Generations Power, LLC
4.6(
24
)

Serving Southgate, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 2006

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"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."
Response time2 days
Recommended by95%of homeowners
Showing 1-10 of 49
Generator Install questions, answered by experts

To determine the right size generator for your house, you should calculate the total wattage of the appliances and devices you want to power during an outage. List all essential items, note their start-up wattages, and add them together.

Here are some typical wattage requirements for common appliances:

  • Refrigerator: 600 watts

  • Large dehumidifier: 700 watts

  • Large window air conditioner: 1,400 watts

  • Water heater: 3,000 to 4,500 watts

  • Electric furnace: 5,000 to 25,000 watts

A 7,500-watt generator might be sufficient for essentials like a refrigerator, freezer, well pump, and lighting circuits. However, for high-demand items like a water heater or furnace, a whole-home generator is a better choice. A portable generator may be enough if you only need to power a few critical items.

While home square footage can offer a rough estimate, it is not always a reliable indicator. For reference, here are some typical generator sizes based on square footage:

  • 1,000 sq ft: 6–9 kW

  • 1,500 sq ft: 7–10 kW

  • 2,000 sq ft: 10–14 kW

  • 2,500 sq ft: 12–16 kW

  • 3,000 sq ft: 16–20 kW+

For the most accurate sizing, consult a professional who can calculate your home's peak and average power consumption and recommend the optimal generator.

To reduce AC startup power for a whole-house generator, install a soft start kit or hard start capacitor, which lowers the initial surge by gradually ramping up the compressor. Using a smart load manager can also help by staggering startup loads, preventing a system overload and future costly repairs.

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.

DIY is possible for basic setups. Professional installation ensures safe and proper electrical connections.

Generators are usually sized by running watts and starting watts. Ideally, you’ll want a generator that can offer both the necessary running watts and starting watts for everything you need to power without going beyond 90% of its capacity. Calculate your home’s electrical load based on the breakers in your home or adding up the appliance and lighting needs of connected rooms.

The Southgate, MI homeowners’ guide to generator installs

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.