Home Generator FAQs

Yes, a properly sized whole-house generator can power your entire home seamlessly during a power outage. To achieve this, the generator must have sufficient capacity to handle your household's total electrical load, including appliances, HVAC systems, lighting, and electronics. Because sizing the generator correctly is critical, it's beneficial to have a professional assessment conducted to calculate your home's precise power demands and recommend a generator tailored to your specific needs. This ensures uninterrupted comfort and safety, providing full confidence that your generator can reliably supply electricity throughout your home whenever power disruptions occur.

Portable generators are mobile units that require manual setup and fueling, often used for specific appliances. Whole-house generators are permanently installed systems that automatically activate during power outages to supply electricity to your entire home. Read more about them both!

Home generators typically run on several common fuel types, including gasoline, propane (LP), natural gas, and diesel, each with distinct advantages and considerations. Gasoline generators are widely accessible but require careful fuel storage and regular replacement to maintain freshness. Propane generators offer clean-burning fuel, ease of storage, and excellent shelf life, making them convenient for many homeowners. Natural gas generators can directly connect to existing gas lines, providing continuous fuel supply without the need for on-site storage. Diesel generators are often chosen for their durability, fuel efficiency, and longevity, especially suitable for heavy-duty or continuous use. When selecting the best fuel option for your home generator, consider factors like fuel availability in your area, ease of maintenance, storage requirements, and your generator’s intended use.

Typically it takes about 6 to 8 weeks from initial planning to fully functioning unit.
Total time can vary based on stock availability, permit processing, fuel contractor scheduling and local regulations.

No. Installing a standby generator involves complex work like fuel line connection, electrical wiring, transfer switch installation and code compliance. These tasks require licensed professionals to ensure safety and proper installation for permits, warranty and insurance purposes.

Regular maintenance is essential every 6 months for keeping your home generator operating reliably during power outages. Typical maintenance tasks include regularly checking and changing oil to maintain engine efficiency, replacing air and fuel filters to ensure optimal combustion, and inspecting and replacing spark plugs to keep ignition consistent. Additionally, it's important to periodically examine the battery and connections, perform load tests to verify generator performance, and check hoses, belts, and cooling systems to prevent overheating. Always adhere strictly to the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule and guidelines, as timely servicing not only prolongs the generator’s lifespan but also ensures it's ready when you need it most.

The continuous runtime of a home generator depends primarily on fuel type, capacity, and overall design. Natural gas generators can often run indefinitely, provided there's an uninterrupted supply of fuel from the utility line. Propane and diesel generators typically run as long as fuel remains available in the storage tank, with the runtime extending proportionally to tank size. However, many manufacturers recommend periodically shutting down the generator to inspect fluid levels, perform routine maintenance checks, and prevent overheating or mechanical strain. Continuous operation without periodic downtime or inspections may accelerate wear and shorten the generator’s lifespan. Always consult your generator’s user manual and adhere to recommended runtime guidelines to ensure safe, effective operation.

Yes, you can safely test your standby generator by simulating a power outage. This is typically done by switching off the main breaker at your home’s service panel or transfer switch. When the generator detects the loss of utility power, it should start automatically and restore electricity to your essential circuits within 10 to 30 seconds. After verifying that everything is working as expected, you can restore grid power by turning the breaker back on. The generator will then shut down after a short cool-down period. Regular testing like this helps confirm your generator is ready when you need it.

Yes. PE Home Generators offers promotional financing through Synchrony Bank to help make backup power more affordable. Qualified customers may be eligible for flexible monthly payment plans, including 0% financing for a limited time. For full details or to start the application process, visit our financing and specials page or give us a call.

Homeowner’s insurance may cover a generator if it’s damaged by a covered event, such as a fire or storm, but it typically won’t cover the cost of installation. Coverage varies by policy, so it’s best to check with your insurance provider to understand what’s included and whether additional coverage or a rider is needed.