Your Home Standby Generator Experts in Taylors, SC

A standby generator is a smart decision for many homeowners. However, this can vary based on numerous circumstances. The most important factor to consider when installing a standby generator is power outages. If you live in an area with extreme weather and are susceptible to outages, a standby generator will keep your home’s essential components working – like your fridge, water heater, sinks, medical equipment and more.

There is a lot of variation in standby generators – and many factors that influence the cost. On average, installing a standby generator can cost anywhere from $7,500 to $15,000, and sometimes more. Get in touch with a reputable electric company to take a survey of your home, requirements, and more to determine the best solution at an appropriate cost.

Yes, however, other options are less convenient and require manual operation. A home interlock generator system is the cheaper alternative. Typically, they use a portable generator that is manually connected to the home's electrical system using an interlock kit. When the power goes out, the interlock kit allows the generator to be connected to the electrical system to provide backup power. Installing a  home interlock generator system generally costs anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000.

A standby generator provides an automatic backup electrical system. When a power outage occurs, there is an automatic transfer switch that detects the loss of electricity and prompts the generator to start. Once the cycle begins, the standby generator provides power to the circuits in a matter of seconds – ensuring your home’s electrical components do not miss a beat.

This depends on the type of generator you get – some are louder than others. The quieter generators emit the same level of sound as an average refrigerator (50dB) or a casual conversation (60dB). Louder generators produce around the same levels of noise as a truck (80db). Talk to your electric company to determine which solution is best for you.

Every home has slightly different needs when it comes to standby generators. Generally, the most important features to look for include automatic shutoff, type of enclosure, warranty, generator capacity, and fuel source. 

An expert from Viper Services will assess your property and determine which standby generator is best for you. 

It is crucial to hire a professional electrician to install your standby generator. Many whole-house standby generators operate on natural gas – which can be extremely dangerous if handled improperly. Trying to install these generators by yourself can result in significant issues for your home.

It’s recommended that you run your standby generator at least once a month for about 20 minutes at normal operating temperature (with load) as part of ongoing maintenance. This is to ensure the generator works properly – and you don’t have an unwelcome surprise if there is a power outage.