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Avatar for PRIORITY ELECTRIC AND LIGHTING, LLC
PRIORITY ELECTRIC AND LIGHTING, LLC
5.0(
6
)

Serving Hays, NC and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Warranties offered

PRIORITY ELECTRIC AND LIGHTING, LLC We offer over 20 years of experience in the electrical industry. We take on a wide range of electrical projects to include full installation for additions and remodels as well as generator installs, wiring and panel upgrades, and a variety of other jobs. We take pride in our quality of work and our commitment to outstanding results. We're committed to providing a personalized service for each individual project we take on. We look forward to building strong, long-term relationships with our clients and guarantee your satisfaction.

Response time5 hrs
18 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Jovan's Mobile Lube
Jovan's Mobile Lube
5.0(
5
)

Serving Hays, NC and surrounding areas

In business since 2008

Emergency services offered

Credit card accepted

"I called Jovan's Mobile Lube after doing a google search for a mechanic. He was very courteous on the phone and gave me a g
\reat quote to check and then replace my brakes. Jovan scheduled me in for the next day. He came to my home on my day off, which was very convenient. If you want to job done right, fast, and affordable I highly recommend Jovan's Mobile Lube. he is now my #1 mechanic!
"
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Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for The Home Depot - Generators
The Home Depot - Generators
2.5(
1
)

Serving Hays, NC and surrounding areas

In business since 2003

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

Today, we're proud to be the world's largest home improvement retailer. In 2,300 stores across North America, we aspire to excel in service – to our customers, associates, communities and shareholders. That's what leadership means to us. That's The Home Depot difference.

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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.

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. 

Generators run on a variety of fuel types, ranging from natural gas to solar power. Keep in mind that fuel costs varying by type:

  • Natural gas: $2,000–$21,000 per year 

  • Liquid propane: $2,000–$21,000 per year

  • Diesel: $3,000–$20,000 per year

  • Gasoline: $500–$3,000 per year

  • Solar generator: $2,000–$25,000 per unit

  • Battery backup: $10,000–$25,000 per unit

Most homeowners won't be able to claim a home generator as a tax write-off. However, a whole-house generator may be tax-deductible in certain situations depending on its purpose. For instance, if it's needed to power essential medical equipment, it may qualify as a medical expense deduction. Also, in some cases, businesses can deduct a generator as a business expense if it supports operations. Always consult a tax professional to determine eligibility based on your specific circumstances and the applicable IRS regulations.

Generators are safe to use as long as they are installed and operated correctly according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The most critical safety tips are to never use a portable or fuel-powered generator inside an enclosed space due to the risk of lethal carbon monoxide poisoning; always operate it outdoors where fumes can dissipate away from your home. Additionally, never attempt to connect a generator to your home’s electrical panel yourself—hire a professional to ensure the setup meets safety standards. Finally, avoid overloading the generator by not connecting more appliances than it is rated for, as this can damage your equipment or cause a fire.

The Hays, NC homeowners’ guide to generator installs

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