Get the generator going

After you’ve spent a big chunk of change on a residential generator, you realize you need to get it hooked up and ready to use. Whether you chose a portable or a stationary generator, you need to install a transfer device which will shift the power source of your home to the generator. This can be a dangerous process and should be done by a licensed electrician.

If you chose a stationary generator, you need to hook it up to a fuel source. Take into consideration your home’s heating source and what’s readily available in your area. Running natural gas lines to your generator may require permits from the city (lest you forget the importance of electrical and other ordinances), and it will likely be necessary to contact your local utility.

Installation can take as little as four hours or up to more than two days for a licensed electrician. The  time it takes depends on the generators themselves and the technical ability of the installer. Remember that serious injury and even death can result from mistakes at the time if installation, or later on when problems arise from poor quality of work.

A generator is a huge investment you chose to keep your house and family safe during an outage. Have it installed by the authorized dealer from which you bought it, or a licensed electrician.