"I have been hiring Cody Malone since we purchased our house in July 2012. They have switched out outlets, installed indoor ceiling fans, installed outdoor ceiling fans, ran electrical to my outdoor water feature and switched out my light fixtures. I plan to hire them again when I add electric to my detached garage. They always do a great job and arrive when they say they will. I have never had a single issue and they have been to my house for no less than six different projects!"
"Had a surprise when workmen showed up unannounced the day after I signed the contract. Once we rescheduled the installation date and time, things went very smoothly. The installation of the furnace, AC, and hot water heater took less than a day. I'm very happy with the results."
Benfield Electric Company is an area leader in the Electrical Service field, serving customers throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. We work with residential and commercial clients and pride ourselves on our capability to meet all types of electrical wiring demands and deadlines. Established in 1968, we are a licensed, bonded and insured class A Electrical contractor. We are focused on providing a wide array of services to meet all our customer's needs
"They are sewer and drain specialists and they do it really well. Reasonable prices, responsive service. We had family visiting and they moved schedules to and to us. We're grateful that they did so."
M.E. Flow offers FREE in-home consultations for replacement HVAC systems and we are an authorized dealer of most major brands. Established in 1951 by Millard Edward Flow we remain family owned. Replacing your HVAC system and water heater is a big investment. When you go with M.E. Flow your satisfaction is guaranteed. We do not install customer supplied equipment, do new construction, or give quotes over the phone. We send a professional home comfort advisor to your home--even meet you after hours. During your home visit we will design you the perfect system, answer all your questions, and get your system in the family budget. Financing and/or rebates are typically available. Qualified Staff: You get a team of professionals, NATE certification means your getting the best. Company employees are required to pass a background investigation which include a criminal records check and drug testing. We also offer the best guarantees.
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.
Portable generators provide backup power for essential appliances during outages and are easy to relocate.
Generators run on a variety of fuel types, ranging from natural gas to solar power. Keep in mind that fuel costs varying by type:
Natural gas: $2,000–$21,000 per year
Liquid propane: $2,000–$21,000 per year
Diesel: $3,000–$20,000 per year
Gasoline: $500–$3,000 per year
Solar generator: $2,000–$25,000 per unit
Battery backup: $10,000–$25,000 per unit
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.
While standby generators provide essential backup power, they can fail when you need them most due to lack of maintenance, fuel supply issues, dead batteries, electrical problems, or improper installation. To avoid costly failures, professional installation and regular maintenance are crucial. Licensed technicians ensure safety, uphold warranty requirements, comply with regulations, and provide expert servicing.
The Marumsco, VA homeowners’ guide to generator installs
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
The cost to install a whole-house generator in Washington, DC varies based on factors like generator size, fuel type, and installation complexity. Learn the typical price range and what influences your total cost.
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.
