Premature failure, capacity overload, reduced equipment life, and hazardous situations are at risk when not properly sizing a backup generator.
Who To Contact For A New Backup Generator
Backup generator buying and sizing are highly important to get right the first time. Premature failure, capacity overload, reduced equipment life, and hazardous situations are at risk if not properly sized and evaluated by a master electrician. Midwest proudly serves the greater Northland, Twin Cities, Metro, Duluth, and Rochester areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. Following all state electrical codes and policies to ensure proper equipment, safety measures, and installation success. Providing the best customer experience in the industry takes priority at Midwest Electric & Generator.
Trust the expert generator installers at Midwest Electric & Generator to provide you with a free estimate before buying and sizing a residence or business for a backup generator. The highly-skilled, factory-certified, and experienced generator technicians have seen it all and specialize in all backup power and battery storage solutions. Offering the highest quality products from leading generator manufacturers such as Generac, Kohler, Cummins, Briggs & Stratton, and Winco. Whether you are looking for a whole-home system or just a few critical circuits, no project is too large or too small for the team at Midwest Electric & Generator.
After deciding to move forward with your backup power solution, you will want to call your insurance agent. You can potentially reduce your insurance rate! Backup generators can power your home for several days, allowing a household or business to continue to be productive and comfortable during a power outage. This is especially important for homes and businesses with young and elderly people. Also, if you run your business out of your home, you will definitely want uninterrupted power. Don’t risk losing a day’s or week’s worth of work due to an electrical outage!
Backup Generator Buying and Sizing
Although there is no “one size fits all” model for backup generator buying and sizing, you will need to know what the electrical appliances demand for starting up and to run when sizing a generator unit. Depending on what appliances you want to have running during a power outage will determine the size of the backup generator needed. It is best to contact the professionals at Midwest Electric & Generator to calculate your exact electrical load needs. The installation process requires advanced electrical and plumbing expertise. Including knowledge of local codes, permits, and inspections. As the National Electrical Code gets updated, new requirements may be adopted. Midwest provides free estimates both virtually or onsite. With contact-free and fast installation, you will soon have the peace-of-mind you deserve.
Whole-Home Backup Generators
Residential and light commercial standby generators are available in sizes from 5kW – 50kW. Some portable generators can run on a manual transfer switch that might be suitable for some smaller offices, RV’s, or someone that is home most often to manually transfer to generator power when needed. The decision to purchase a whole-home unit means you are protected automatically during a power outage. In fact, in 30 seconds or less, your generator system will power everything connected to your generator unit. Never again worry about losing food from your fridge and freezer or water flooding your home! Better yet, enjoy the comfort of air conditioning, heat, and lights when you need them most.
Whole-Home backup generators take into consideration the size of your home, the type of fuel preferred, and the wattage requirements of your appliances. Standby generators can run on either natural gas or propane. Midwest Electric & Generator will install a cold-weather kit to the generator unit prior to every installation. Due to the climate changes experienced in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota, your generator system needs to run on even the coldest of days! The cold-weather kit consists of a battery heater, oil heater, and thermostat.
Whole-Home backup generators can be purchased from big box retail stores, however, they will not come with required accessories like the battery, cold-weather kit, transfer switches, and factory-certified dealer checkout. Remember that warranties, proper sizing, and safe installation must be attended to. Do not get stuck paying for something that will not work for your standby power needs.
Standby Generator Sizes
All backup generators will have two different power ratings. One is called “starting” or “rated” and the other is “running” or “continuous.” The lower “running” number is the only rating you should look for. The higher rating is not meant to run at that power level. It can only maintain that extra power for a few seconds when a device starts up.
5-12 kW standby generators will be able to power most of your smaller essential appliances, like microwaves, computers, sump pumps, and fridges. Likely would not be able to run your air conditioning system or a washer and dryer.
12-20 kW standby generators are considered mid-sized. Some mid-size generators contain load-shedding devices that turn off nonessential devices in order to power the essential ones based on demand.
20-50 kW standby generators are considered true Whole-Home standby generators. These generators are typically powerful enough to energize all of the electronics and appliances in your home, without the need for load-shedding.
Standby Generator Fuel Options
When choosing the type of fuel source for your standby generator, it is often dictated by the location of your home. In most of the Twin Cities, Metro, and Central Minnesota, natural gas is the more common fuel used in homes. In rural areas like Northern Minnesota and farming areas of Wisconsin and North Dakota, propane is prominent. While not as convenient as natural gas, propane can be stored in tanks and stockpiled if needed.
Prepare For Your Free Estimate
You can expect the generator estimate to take up to 45 minutes to complete. Not only will our Master Electrician show you the process, but they will also answer all the questions you may have. Whether you have researched generators for a long time or not, Midwest values the opportunity to earn your business and trust. Midwest provides all the necessary equipment and complete “in-house” installation. Providing generator service, warranty repair, maintenance, and generator monitoring; Midwest stands behind your purchase for the life of the generator!
Before The Estimate
- List all of the items and appliances you would like to have available during a power outage.
- Determine what outside location would be best for the generator to be installed. Usually, the most cost-efficient location is near the natural gas meter or electrical meter. The estimator will suggest locations based on code requirements as well.
- Provide access to your electrical service panel or any sub panels.
Those three steps are all you really need to provide to the estimator! Your free estimate will be provided to you the same day and a “Best Price Guarantee”. Midwest Electric & Generator is the only Power Pro Premier Dealer in the 5-state area offering complete installations and peace-of-mind to thousands of satisfied customers. With over 600 generator installations per year, Midwest is the trusted generator installer in the standby power industry.
There Are Many Ways To Contact Midwest Electric & Generator!
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Twin Cities 612-284-1550
Northland 218-264-4310