Whole-house standby generator installation
A standby generator is a permanent part of your house. Here's what goes into getting one installed right in Calcasieu Parish.
A home standby generator is an engine-driven unit in a weatherproof enclosure that sits outside on a pad. It's wired to your electrical system through a transfer switch and fed by natural gas or propane. When utility power fails, the switch senses it, starts the generator and moves your house over; when the grid comes back, it switches back and the generator shuts down.
How is a generator sized?
By what you want it to run. Some homeowners only want essentials: the refrigerator, a few lights and outlets, the gas furnace fan, and medical equipment. Others want the whole house, including central air conditioning, which is the big load in a Lake Charles summer. The installer should walk through your panel and appliances, ask how you live during an outage, and explain what size unit and switch that calls for. A U.S. Department of Energy guide for contractors says the same: survey which devices need power, then recommend a capacity.
What happens on install day?
- Pad and placement. The unit goes on a pad or base at a spot that meets the manufacturer's clearances from windows, doors and vents, local code, and any flood elevation rule.
- Electrical. A transfer switch is installed at or near the main panel and wired to the generator.
- Fuel. The gas line is extended from the meter, or a propane tank is set and piped.
- Start-up. The installer tests a transfer, sets the weekly exercise schedule and shows you the controller.
- Inspection. The permit office inspects the electrical and fuel work.
Who issues permits?
Inside the city, the City of Lake Charles Permit Center issues electrical, gas and mechanical permits, with a separate permit for each trade. Outside city limits, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury's Division of Planning and Development issues construction, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits for unincorporated areas. Sulphur, Westlake and other incorporated towns have their own offices, and your installer should know which one covers your address.
Before you sign
- Ask what size unit and transfer switch they recommend, and why
- Ask what will and won't run during an outage
- Confirm who pulls the electrical and gas permits
- Get the equipment warranty and the installer's labor warranty in writing
The generator company prices the job after looking at your house, your electrical panel and your fuel supply. We don't quote prices, and any number given over the phone before a site visit is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Can a standby generator run my central AC?
It can if it's sized for it, or if the transfer switch manages loads so the AC runs when other big appliances are off. Tell the installer that AC is a priority.
How long does a standby install take?
The on-site work is often a day or two, but permits, inspections, the gas utility and equipment availability add time. Don't wait until a storm is in the Gulf.
Related services
- Transfer switches and load management
- Generator maintenance and pre-season service
- Generator repair
- Natural gas and propane hookups
More background: Lake Charles standby generator guide.
Want the lights and AC to stay on through the next storm?
Call now and a local generator company will talk through what your house needs.