"We really like the professional job done by Paul, James III and Nate, they answered all our questions and explained everything to our understanding. They are no doubt well-trained in their field and dedicated to the reputation of the company. Kudos to our saleperson Tom, who also happens to be the president. We had on-location visits from 3 companies to have a whole-house generator installed and no doubt picked the best company."
"They called promptly, set an appointment quickly and in a very short time frame, and kept the appointment flawlessly. And to my delight, got my charging station installed same day!"
"I recently had my generator repaired and serviced, and I was very impressed with the quality of work. Johnny was professional, knowledgeable, and took the time to make sure everything was running properly before he left. My generator is now running great, and I appreciate the honest, reliable service. I highly recommend him for generator repair and maintenance needs."
"Sierra did a great job. Ran new electric and installed our Govee lights. Even took the time to help us download app on phone so we can control the lights."
South Townes electric, is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty and responsibility in all of our jobs. We are a locally owned and operated business with more than 15 years of experience serving Hamburg, NY and surrounding areas. There is no job too big, or too small for our team. Call today and let us put our experience to work for you!
"Mike was able to successfully repair the generator after the installer was unable to repair the generator and have it serviced properly. He went above and beyond to ensure everything was working as it should."
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.
DIY is possible for basic setups. Professional installation ensures safe and proper electrical connections.
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.
Whole-house generators can run continuously for extended periods, even for weeks at a time (around 400 to 500 hours), as long as they have a sufficient fuel supply. However, this type of extensive use will increase wear and tear and can shorten the generator's overall lifespan. During long periods of operation, it's important to check and refill the engine oil as needed, potentially as frequently as daily depending on the model. If your generator uses a fuel tank, ensure it is kept full to prevent unexpected shutdowns.
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.
The Alden, NY homeowners’ guide to generator installs
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Natural gas generators are whole-home standby generators that are connected to your home’s natural gas line. The average cost for a natural gas generator is $12,000.
Generators should give you peace of mind, but you’ll only get that if your installer knows what they’re doing. Learn how to hire a pro and what red flags to look for.
Thinking about a generator installation? Learn about backup power options, costs to expect, and how to hire the right local pro to keep your home running.