Overview
Backup power options include standby generators, portable generators with a transfer switch or inlet, and battery systems. Each has different costs, runtimes and installation needs.
Any connection to home wiring needs a proper transfer switch or interlock so power can't backfeed onto utility lines.
The usual process
- Fuel or battery planning. Natural gas, propane and batteries each have tradeoffs.
- Permits are common. Many jurisdictions require a permit and inspection for new circuits, panel work and service changes.
- A transfer device is installed. A transfer switch or interlock keeps the home isolated from the grid.
- Start with a description of the problem. Note which circuits, outlets or fixtures are affected and when it started.
- Expect an on-site look. Most electrical work begins with an inspection of the panel, wiring and the area involved.
- Decide what to power. Whole-home and essential-circuits-only setups differ a lot in size.
Things worth considering
- Placement rules apply. Generators have clearance requirements from windows, doors and property lines.
- Permits are usually required. Standby generators often need electrical and sometimes gas permits.
- Maintenance is ongoing. Generators need periodic exercise and service.
- Older wiring changes the job. Homes with aluminum branch wiring, ungrounded outlets or fuse panels may need extra work.
- Capacity matters. Adding big loads like EV chargers, hot tubs or heat pumps can exceed what the existing service supports.
- Access affects price. Finished walls, attics and crawl spaces change how much time running new wire takes.
Getting ready to reach out
- Your address or nearest cross streets so the request reaches someone local.
- Your timeline, and whether anything is urgent.
- Rough measurements or quantities, if they matter for the job.
- A short description of the job and where it is on the property.
- Any HOA, landlord or property manager rules that apply.
Warning signs
- Suggesting you skip a required permit to save money.
- No written estimate, or an estimate with vague scope.
- Door-to-door offers right after a storm with no local track record.
- Pressure to sign or pay the same day.
- No local address or references you can check.
How to vet a provider
- Are you licensed for electrical work in this jurisdiction, and will you pull the permit?
- Is the estimate written, and does it list materials, labor and permit fees separately?
- Who will do the work, and will they be licensed or supervised by a licensed electrician?
- What warranty do you offer on labor and parts?
- How will you protect finished areas and clean up afterward?
- Is a final inspection included, and who schedules it?
Frequently asked
- Can I plug a generator into an outlet?
- No. Backfeeding through an outlet is dangerous. Use a transfer switch or interlock installed by an electrician.
- How big a generator do I need?
- It depends on which circuits you want to run. An electrician can size it.
- Can I do my own electrical work?
- Rules vary by state and city. Many places allow limited homeowner work with a permit, but service and panel work is usually best left to a licensed electrician.
Related topics
- Electrical Panel Upgrades: When a panel upgrade makes sense, what's involved, and what to ask an electrician before replacing or upgrading your service.
- EV Charger Installation: What it takes to install a Level 2 EV charger at home, including circuits, panel capacity and permits.
- Lighting Installation: Recessed lights, fixtures and outdoor lighting: what electricians do and what to plan before you start.