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Clearbrook Electric, Inc.
2.5(
12
)

Serving Bemidji, MN and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1937

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"The quality of the work was awesome. Very qualified and did a very neat job. Would hire them again. The only problem was them getting back to you when you called for service. The installers were very friendly and did a great job!!! Had to call a couple times to remind to come out and start/complete the project. Otherwise, great customer service."
Response time2 days
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Greater Minnesota Contracting Electric
New to Angi

Serving Bemidji, MN and surrounding areas

In business since 1974

Free estimates

Our mission at Greater Minnesota Contracting Electric is to continue the growth of our business by doing right by all of our clients. We love seeing that one of a kind smile on a home owners face at the end of a project! Greater Minnesota Contracting Electric stacks up with the competition and surpasses it with competitive prices, second to none workmanship and a prompt/responsive team! We give you quality that you can measure, and a finished product that will enhance your home forever. Call us today!\n

Response time7 hrs
Generator Install questions, answered by experts

Sizing a generator is a careful process that requires calculating the electrical load of your entire house. You have to take into account every device you want to use and their wattage requirements, plus the wattage needed to start them, and look for a generator that can safely run all that at around 80% capacity.

In more practical terms, a small home can run on a 10,000-watt generator (and if you only want to power a few key appliances, much less than that). A mid-sized home may need something between 15,000 and 22,000 watts. Larger homes require 25,000 watts or more. 

Whole-house generators can run continuously for extended periods, even for weeks at a time (around 400 to 500 hours), as long as they have a sufficient fuel supply. However, this type of extensive use will increase wear and tear and can shorten the generator's overall lifespan. During long periods of operation, it's important to check and refill the engine oil as needed, potentially as frequently as daily depending on the model. If your generator uses a fuel tank, ensure it is kept full to prevent unexpected shutdowns.

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

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.

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.

The Bemidji, MN homeowners’ guide to generator installs

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