"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!"
"I was very impressed with this company from beginning to end. When they gave me an estimate, they spent 90 minutes with me to make sure I selected the right furnace and AC. The crew came two days later and installed the furnace and AC in one day. Great job! Very happy with the whole experience. I highly recommend this company to others."
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.
In some situations, yes. Never try to put biofuel into any home generator without checking the specifics first. If a generator has the ability to run on diesel, it can also run pure biofuel (the clear kind made from seed oils, for example). But if you are using biofuel made from animal fats or vegetable oils, the generator will need significant modifications before it can handle a sludgier type of biofuel.
Carbon monoxide emissions aren’t only dangerous to human life, but they also harm our planet. While natural gas generators emit lower levels of CO than other fuel sources, there are still ways to reduce emission levels. For example, shop around for an eco-friendly generator that complies with current emission standards. Also, make sure your generator is serviced regularly to avoid CO buildup.
No, you should never plug a generator directly into a wall outlet in your house. This practice is extremely dangerous, often illegal, and can cause "back-feeding," where power from the generator flows back into utility lines, creating a life-threatening hazard for utility workers. It can also damage your home's electrical system, including appliances like pumps and HVAC fans. If the main power is restored while the generator is connected, it can destroy the generator and cause an electrical fire. To safely connect a generator, you must use a professionally installed transfer switch or an interlocking kit, which prevents back-feeding by disconnecting your home from the utility grid before the generator provides power.
In most municipalities, you will need a permit to install a permanent home generator, including emergency backup, partial-home, and whole-home generators. A permit for a generator usually costs between $50 and $250, depending on where you live. Your electrician or certified generator installer will usually pull the permit for you—and might be required to do so by your building department—but you’ll be on the hook for the cost of the permit. You should ask your installer before agreeing to any work if they will pull the necessary permits for your project.
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.
The Mason Neck, 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.
