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TRUSTED BY COLONIAL HEIGHTS, VA HOMEOWNERS

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    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon19
    Verified generator installs reviews

Find Generator install pros in Colonial Heights

Avatar for M. W. Butler Electrical, LLC
M. W. Butler Electrical, LLC
5.0(
3
)
Fixed Generator - InstallFixed Generator - RepairPortable Generator - Install

Serving Colonial Heights, VA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2006

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

M. W. Butler Electrical is proud to be a family owned and locally operated business that has been serving the community since 2006! With years of experience and unmatched expertise, we can help with any and all of your electrical needs. Since opening our doors we have built our business on providing customers with the highest quality products and service at a fair price. Our customers know that they can count on us to be timely, tidy and when the job is done that they will be 100% satisfied with the work completed. Let us show you the M.W. difference, get in touch today!\n-$150 diagnostic fee applied to job when hired

52 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by66%of homeowners
Avatar for Puckett Electrical Service
Puckett Electrical Service
4.8(
96
)
Fixed Generator - InstallFixed Generator - RepairGenerator - Install+4 more

Serving Colonial Heights, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2008

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Simply put, Scott does electrical amazing work. Not only was he fast, his work was precise and cleanly executed. Showed exceptional electrical knowledge (as expected) and was very thorough in pricing, in the work. Saved me quite a bit of money for DIY suggestions too. Even went as far to replace a broken switch during a Bathroom lighting install! My wife and I plan on hiring again no questions asked."
Replaced solar lights with real low voltage lights.
Installed some mini recess lights to enhance this customers picture.
Recommended by91%of homeowners
Avatar for Mr. Electric of Chesterfield
Mr. Electric of Chesterfield
4.6(
55
)
Portable Generator - Install

Serving Colonial Heights, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 1985

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Brian came in to give me an estimate about some lightening rods that I wanted reinstalled after a roof installation. He informed me that technology is outdated and I need to upgrade to a surge protector and after discussing what my current electrician was going to do, he gave more info to chew on. Thanks Brian!"
Low voltage lighting
Low voltage lighting
Panel change out
Panel change out
Panel change out

+8

Response time10 hrs
Recommended by94%of homeowners
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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.

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.

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

  • Partial-Home Generators (9kW–20kW): $2,000–$6,500

  • Whole-House Generators (22kW–48kW): $5,000–$18,000

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.

These advanced generators use a key fob or a smartphone app to remotely start, which is ideal for getting power back on immediately without venturing outside. This feature is more common on whole home generators, but you may be able to find it on large portable generators, too.

Natural gas generators are designed to run for extended periods of time, such as power outages during a natural disaster. Since there’s no limit to the supply of natural gas, they don’t need to stop for refills. However, generators do need maintenance, including pauses to check and add oil. Constantly running them will also cause a lot more wear and tear, leading to a shorter lifespan.

The Colonial Heights, VA homeowners’ guide to generator installs

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