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Amplified Electric, Inc.
5.0(
11
)
Generator - Install - For Business

Serving Melrose, MN and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2014

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"High End Professional Service Which one cannot put a Price on! Difficult to find in 2015, many elections set in there ways Don't want to make a Changes or listen to what is Needed. Make Amplified Electric your 1st CALL. Kyle was exceptionally flexible for an initial consultation & Estimate which I hired Him on the Spot. He was willing to speak with a Home Warranty Company so in all I only had a few Hundred dollars out of Pocket to cover a few upgrades to a several thousands in repairs. I'll be refering him Co-Workers Friends & Family always. That is the Biggest Compliment one can give"
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Tamm Electric, LLC
0.5(
1
)
Fixed Generator - InstallPortable Generator - Install

Serving Melrose, MN and surrounding areas

In business since 1989

Free estimates

We can take on a wide range of residential and commercial electrical projects to include; full installation for additions and remodels, wiring, panel upgrades, and a variety of other projects. We take pride in the quality of our work and our commitment to outstanding results. We look forward to building strong, long-term relationships with our clients, and guarantee your satisfaction.

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.

If you have a transfer switch properly installed, the generator and main electrical power cannot feed the system at the same time. However, you should still shut off the power at your main circuit breaker panel before activating the generator. If you do that, you’ll simply need to shut off the generator and reset your circuit breaker once the local power comes back on.

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. 

It’s usually better to repair your generator if it isn’t working properly, as it will typically be much more affordable and should yield similar results. Generator repairs cost around $300 on average, while installing a new whole-house generator costs around $5,000 on average. The only exception is if you know your generator is reaching the end of its useful life, usually between 30 and 40 years. If you have an older generator, you could face multiple repairs in the coming years, which might mean that a full replacement will be more cost-effective over time.

No, you should never plug a generator directly into a wall outlet in your house. This practice is extremely dangerous, often illegal, and can cause "back-feeding," where power from the generator flows back into utility lines, creating a life-threatening hazard for utility workers. It can also damage your home's electrical system, including appliances like pumps and HVAC fans. If the main power is restored while the generator is connected, it can destroy the generator and cause an electrical fire. To safely connect a generator, you must use a professionally installed transfer switch or an interlocking kit, which prevents back-feeding by disconnecting your home from the utility grid before the generator provides power.

The Melrose, MN homeowners’ guide to generator installs

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