Plain answers to the questions we hear most.

In our area most installs land between $9,800 and $21,500 for air-cooled units (10 to 26 kW) and $27,000 to $42,000 for liquid-cooled units (30 to 48 kW). That includes the transfer switch, pad, permits, the first 30 feet of gas and wire, and your first-year service visit. The pricing page shows each size.

Online prices are often the generator alone. A working system also needs a transfer switch, a pad, a gas line, wiring, permits and an inspection. We print each of those as a line so you can compare like with like.

We install two lines: Hemlock air-cooled units and Ledgestone liquid-cooled units (fictional names on this demo site). We repair and service most other home standby brands.

Yes, through a credit union we work with. Checking your rate is a soft pull, terms run 5 to 10 years, and there is no penalty for paying early. The financing page shows example payments.

We add up what you want running at once, add the biggest starting surge (usually the central air or the well pump), and leave some headroom. The online calculator does a simple version; the site visit confirms it at your panel.

Often, yes, with load management. A module pauses one heavy load like the central air or the dryer when the generator is busy, and lets it run again when there is room. It can save you a size step.

If gas is on your street, it is usually simplest: nothing to refill. Most rural roads around Concord run on propane. Air-cooled units make about 10% less power on natural gas, so we size for that.

As a rough guide, a 22 kW unit at half load uses about 2 gallons an hour. A 500-gallon tank, which is filled to about 80%, lasts roughly a week of steady running. Your supplier can tell you their delivery terms during storms.

Yes. Every town we work in requires electrical and gas permits for a standby install. We file them, book the inspection and attend it. The permit cost is on your quote.

Outside, on a pad, at the code distances from windows, doors, vents and the gas meter. We pick the spot with you on the site visit and mark it before we quote.

We prepare a site sketch, the unit's sound rating and a photo of a similar install for your HOA letter. Some HOAs ask for a screen or plantings; we can price that too.

During the weekly exercise most air-cooled units are about as loud as a central air unit at the same distance. Under full load it is louder. We set the exercise time to suit you, often a weekday mid-morning.

Yes, when it is placed at the code distances outside the house. The engine makes carbon monoxide, which is why it lives outside and why we set it away from openings. We still recommend carbon monoxide alarms on every level of every home.

No. Never run a portable generator indoors, in a garage, basement, shed or porch, even with doors or windows open. Keep it at least 20 feet from the house with the exhaust pointed away. Carbon monoxide has no smell.

Do not touch the unit or any switches. Leave the area, then call your gas utility or 911 from a safe distance. Call us after they have made it safe.

Once a year for most air-cooled home units, or after a long run during an outage. Homes with long outages, wells or medical needs often choose twice a year.

No. We remind you 30 days before the end and only renew if you say yes. You can cancel any time and we refund unused visits.

Yes. Most of our repair calls are on other installers' units. We service most air-cooled and liquid-cooled home standby brands.