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Avatar for Swenson Electric
Swenson Electric
4.7(
137
)

Serving Brainerd, MN and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Professional, Prompt, and Courteous! Nathan helped me complete two other small projects in addition to the two fixture installations that I contacted him about!"
Response time2 days
35 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by96%of homeowners
Clearbrook Electric, Inc.
2.5(
12
)

Serving Brainerd, 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
Avatar for Northern Air Plumbing & Heating, LLC
Northern Air Plumbing & Heating, LLC
3.3(
21
)

Serving Brainerd, MN and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1998

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"It the midst of the subzero temperatures they contacted us right away after our water heater froze. They stayed In Contact with both me and my husband and they came next day to install a new one."
Response time1 day
23 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by75%of homeowners
Up North Electric, Inc.
4.8(
2
)

Serving Brainerd, MN and surrounding areas

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

Up North Electric Inc. is a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity in all aspects of our business. Our dedicated team of professionals have over 30 years of hands on experience, to provide innovative ideas and suggestions tailored to your projects. Our services are customized to your individual needs, paying close attention to the details of each project that we are involved with. Please feel free to contact us today!\n\n

Response time3 days
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Boe Electrical Contractors
New to Angi

Serving Brainerd, MN and surrounding areas

In business since 2002

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Boe Electrical Contractors is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.

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.

Potential benefits of using a natural gas generator include reducing your carbon footprint, lower likelihood of carbon monoxide exposure, budget-friendly operating costs, and low-maintenance, continuous fuel supply. Some possible drawbacks, though, include higher initial installation costs, dependency on a natural gas supply, and installation complexity. Keep in mind that pros and cons will vary based on the type and brand of natural gas generator. 

While diesel is relatively stable, it won’t last nearly as long as propane and you may have to replace it if it sits unused for too long. Diesel can sometimes struggle to work efficiently or start engines during especially cold weather, so it’s not the best choice for every climate. Compared to fuels like propane and natural gas, diesel generators tend to be noisier and create more exhaust, which isn’t always ideal for home use.

If you’re wondering if you can use your electric vehicle as a backup battery, it depends on whether your EV is compatible with bidirectional charging. This technology allows energy to flow both ways, enabling vehicle-to-home (V2H) backup power, vehicle-to-load (V2L) for appliances and camping, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) to support the power grid. Compatible EVs convert stored DC energy into usable AC power, helping reduce energy costs and enhance grid stability while providing emergency backup power.

In most cases, there are no tax credits available for home generators. However, that’s a general statement that applies to federal tax credits, so you might have access to state or local tax incentives. You can check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) for more information about your area. If you hire a reliable home generator installer, they should also know if there are any state or local perks you can use to reduce your installation costs, including tax breaks and rebates.

The Brainerd, MN homeowners’ guide to generator installs

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