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Avatar for JP Electric, Inc.
JP Electric, Inc.
5.0(
21
)
Fixed Generator - InstallGenerator - Install - For Business

Serving Elgin, NE and surrounding areas

In business since 2004

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Great Install of the generator. Finished the job in less than one day and my power was only off for 2 hours. Generator is working fine. Also did a thorough clean-up after installing. All questions about operation were answered in detail."
Kohler 48RCL
KOHLER 20RESD
KOHLER 20RESC
KOHLER 60KW industrial
Kohler 48RCL

+22

Response time1 day
Response rate89%
Recommended by95%of homeowners
Generator Install questions, answered by experts

In many cases, yes. There are models called dual-fuel generators and fuel switches, but only between certain types of fuel. For example, with the right setup you can convert a generator from natural gas to propane. Some allow switching between diesel and gasoline. There are even tri-fuel generators available in some cases, which adds a large layer of security if you are worried about fuel availability in times of crisis. Always check your generator capabilities and manual instructions before trying to switch fuels. Some generators can use another fuel but may need a fuel conversion kit to prep them first.

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.

A home that is 2,500 square feet will likely need a 20kW to 25kW generator. Consult your local generator installer to confirm the generator size needed to power your home before purchasing a new one. Be sure to consider how much power your necessary devices need to run.

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. 

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. 

The Elgin, NE homeowners’ guide to generator installs

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