John Betlem Heating & Cooling is a 3rd generation company founded in 1941. They provide Residential HVAC, Electrical and Insulation Services to Rochester, NY and the surrounding towns. John?s slogan that still holds true today is to do ?whatever it takes? to satisfy customers.\n\nJohn Betlem is a premier family operated solutions provider, passionately committed to the health, safety, and comfort for all they serve.
"I would highly recommend Garrett at Loos Electric, Inc! Garrett ran electric for our new above ground pool quickly and was able to work with us on a tight turnaround when our pool install was pushed up by a month and two days before we left for vacation. He was very professional and a pleasure to work with. We will definitely be reaching out to him for our future electric needs!"
"Marlock Electric upgraded our electric service from 100 amp to 200 amp. We were installing solar panels with our new roof, and did this upgrade along with that project. Marlock was recommended to us by the contractor installing the solar panels as a company that would do a very professional job for us - they wanted to be sure the work would be done right to connect the solar system to it. Marlock did an excellent job for us - it was somewhat complicated, but they are experts who knew how to do the work properly. They explained the whole process to us and answered all our questions in a way we could understand. They added extra crew members to make sure the work was done in one day so we wouldn't need to be without electric service overnight. The work was done in a very professional manner, and the site was cleaned up before they departed. We are very satisfied with the service we received from Marlock Electric, and will call on them for any future electrical work we need to have done."
"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."
"Mike who I met from Reliable Power Systems (RPS), is professional and personable and went out of his way to treat me and my particular situation well. Probably due to price and quality, which is why a co-worker recommended him, he is popular and therefore busy so that maintenance visits are not usually available immediately. However for the repair I needed during an outage, he was at my place very fast. My generator's 'fail-to-start' happened before I bought the maintenance plan from RPS. I figured I could do it myself, but it is not a small car engine in a box like I thought. And now that we have medical equipment connected we need to make sure it is up and running 24x7. Saving one fridge and freezer of food in a black out was sufficient payback for installing a generator, but keeping an oxygen pump running is critical, as is, I found, the piece of mind I get by going to sleep knowing my generator will start everytime I need it, thanks to a proper maintenance plan. Before I signed the maintenance contract, I did shop around some, and found that RPS adds things into their maintenance that others do not. I asked Mike about it and he explained it to me very well, but I just can't remember the technical details. I also found out that RPS is not as big as some companies, but to me this means I'm not getting some partly trained kid who is just rushing from job to job as fast as possible. From watching Mike work I can see that he is not only extremely knowledgeable (he mentioned something about certifications), but that he is methodical and thorough. Those last two words describe RPS well. And that's what I want in generator service while our life depends on it. "
"Mike and Neil did a great job installing a new 200 amp panel box, interlock generator switch, bathroom heater with timer switch, 6 outlets and a light switch. Best of all we purchased a one year membership that took 10% off the work we had done and will provide us the same discount for one year. We also used a mailer coupon for the panel box. In all our savings was about $1000."
With proper maintenance, a whole-house generator can last between 20 and 40 years. The specific lifespan depends on how often and for how long the generator is used, and some models may have their life expectancy rated in hours of operation. To maximize its lifespan, expect to spend around $150 to $300 per year for annual maintenance checks from a qualified technician. During these checks, a technician will inspect the engine filter, starting mechanism, fuel, lubrication, and coolant levels. Consulting your installer and choosing a low-impact fuel like natural gas or diesel can also help ensure your generator lasts as long as possible.
To power a central air system during a power outage, the whole-house generator will need to be at least 5,000 watts, and this number will significantly increase for larger units. Check the specific wattage requirements of your AC unit to choose the right generator size. Consider consulting a generator installer to ensure your whole-house generator meets your electrical load needs.
Generators are usually sized by running watts and starting watts. Ideally, you’ll want a generator that can offer both the necessary running watts and starting watts for everything you need to power without going beyond 90% of its capacity. Calculate your home’s electrical load based on the breakers in your home or adding up the appliance and lighting needs of connected rooms.
A 10,000-watt generator can run a small to mid-sized central AC unit (typically up to 3 tons or 36,000 BTU) along with a few other appliances. However, larger AC units or additional loads will require a bigger generator. Consult a local generator installer to ensure you add the correct size generator to your home.
Natural gas and electricity rates vary significantly based on location, and pricing can change over time, too. It’s possible that in locations where natural gas is particularly inexpensive, it will cost less than grid-based electricity will. However, you should also factor in the generator’s initial costs and maintenance needs, as well as its noise level and if it can comfortably power all your home appliances.
The Penfield, 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.