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Clearbrook Electric, Inc.
2.5(
12
)

Serving Park Rapids, 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."
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Greater Minnesota Contracting Electric
New to Angi

Serving Park Rapids, 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. 

Natural gas generators are designed to run for extended periods of time, such as power outages during a natural disaster. Since there’s no limit to the supply of natural gas, they don’t need to stop for refills. However, generators do need maintenance, including pauses to check and add oil. Constantly running them will also cause a lot more wear and tear, leading to a shorter lifespan.

Setting up utilities on a vacant property usually takes at least a few months, or between 6 weeks to 16 weeks. This process requires working with the local planning and zoning department, hiring a building contractor or engineer to design the utility layout, securing permits, laying the lines, and connecting the utilities.

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.

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.

The Park Rapids, MN homeowners’ guide to generator installs

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