"Fantastic electrical company! Good price for my new portable generator installation. I really liked the electrician who performed the work. Will hire again!"
"He was prompt. Showed me pictures of possible replacements. I chose one. He installed it the following day. He's efficient, neat, pleasant, reasonably priced. Willing to fix minor things on the spot,"
"I purchased a Big Deal, $49 for $249. They installed an outdoor light for my house. When they got there they called and asked if I had a light, I said no. I thought, "here we go again, getting up-charged." To my delight, the response was, "Well you are under your total price so we will just use on of ours." That was awesome! They did a great job and I would use again! Thanks!! "
"They were easy to deal with. I?d definitely recommend. Not only they served my HOT TUB they also served my Whole House Generator. I like a small family business."
"I ordered a general checkup of my home. The electrician found a melted wire in my breaker box. He rerouted all of the wires to separate bolts. I opted to get a surge protector installed at that time. I recommend James at Mister Sparky. He explained the questions that I asked. Like, â  What is this switch for?â  Itâ  s a comfort to know that my home is safe now.... and that I have a switch to turn on electric candles in my windows."
Whether you're a local homeowner or a business professional, tending to your properties electrical needs require a great deal of skill and technical know-how. At Iddings Electric, our master electricians proudly offer the superior residential and commercial electrical solutions that Central PA residents and business owners trust. From service panel upgrades and rewiring services to whole-home generators and landscape lighting, our electrical contractors offer the the comprehensive solutions you need to ensure safe, reliable power for your property!
"The man who came to do the estimate was knowledgable and a really nice guy. When he worked up the estimate it was high so he asked us for a number we would be comfortable with, between himself and his manager they came back with a good number. Not cheap by any means but the equipment and installation comes with a 6 year guarantee, which is hard to find today. Installation was scheduled for 3 days later, also hard to find these days. The installers were there on time with everything they needed to do the job. Every man knew what he needed to do yet there was one man leading the team. They covered all the floors in the areas they were working and wore booties to keep everything clean. Everything was installed straight and level. In the end there was some spackling needed to be done because of a stud in the way where they tried to put a hole. Customer service followed up with an email questionnaire which I filled out with some of my concerns about the installation. They got back to me by phone and apologized for any inconvenience. They are sending me $100 for my time, materials and hassel of having to fix their little bo bo. A great company and I have recommended them to family."
"We had personal EV charging station installed by this business' technician. He is very professional, explained all options how to get wires from main electric panel to the other side of the house where it would be convenient for us to charge the car. Provided all required materials and get job done fast and safely, made sure everything works properly."
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.
If you’re wondering whether gas generators produce carbon monoxide, know that natural gas generators do not produce carbon monoxide if they are functioning properly, as natural gas burns cleanly. However, if the generator malfunctions and the gas does not burn completely, there is potential for carbon dioxide to be produced. To prevent malfunctions, it's crucial to perform regular maintenance, including running the generator weekly and scheduling professional inspections every 6 to 12 months. Also, be sure to test your carbon monoxide detectors regularly to ensure they function in the rare case of the generator producing carbon monoxide.
If you’re wondering if you can use your electric vehicle as a backup battery, it depends on whether your EV is compatible with bidirectional charging. This technology allows energy to flow both ways, enabling vehicle-to-home (V2H) backup power, vehicle-to-load (V2L) for appliances and camping, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) to support the power grid. Compatible EVs convert stored DC energy into usable AC power, helping reduce energy costs and enhance grid stability while providing emergency backup power.
To reduce AC startup power for a whole-house generator, install a soft start kit or hard start capacitor, which lowers the initial surge by gradually ramping up the compressor. Using a smart load manager can also help by staggering startup loads, preventing a system overload and future costly repairs.
The average cost to install a home generator is $5,200, but total costs can range from $500 to $18,000 or more. The final price depends on several factors, including the generator's size, type, brand, fuel source, and the cost of labor and assembly. The generator's size is the most significant cost factor, as units that can power larger homes with higher energy demands cost more.
Cost breakdowns by generator type are typically as follows:
Portable or Emergency Backup Generators (1kW–7.5kW): $500–$2,000
To ensure you get the right size unit for your needs without overpaying, consider hiring an electrician to calculate the electrical load of your essential appliances. It is also recommended to get at least three quotes from qualified installers to find the best fit for your budget.
The Mount Penn, PA 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.