Dynamic Electric will send your warranty registration information directly to Generac on your behalf when we complete our final start-up visit. You will receive a confirmation email directly from Generac. No action is needed on your part.
Do you service gasoline powered generators?
We do not service gas powered portable generators. You should contact a small engine repair shop to work on these. We can however help install a transfer switch to connect your portable generator to your home.
What does a generator service plan cost?
Air cooled Generac Models:
Annual service Plan: $279/yr. (+tax)
Semi-annual Service Plan: $399/yr. (+tax)
Liquid cooled Generac Models:
Annual service Plan: $479/yr. (+tax)
Semi-annual Service Plan: $699/yr. (+tax)
What's included in the Annual Generator Maintenance?
At a minimum your generator should be serviced every year. This ensures that your generator is ready to perform in the event of a power loss.
Annual Maintenance Includes:
Change Oil & Filter
Change Air Filter
Change Spark Plug
Change Coolant (if applicable)
Battery Test for correct voltage and charge
Frequency Test
Fuel Pressure Test
Load Transfer Test of System
Visual Check of exterior for leaks, rust, location suitability & clearances etc.
Visual Inspection of fuel lines & connections for wear
Visual Inspection of AC/DC electrical connections
Check for any additional maintenance issues or service recommendations.
Ask the Electrician: Sizing Up Generators
Q: What size generator do I need for whole home protection?
Hurricane season is over but the possibility of winter weather is looming ahead. Whole home generators are a big investment but can offer a lot of peace of mind in the event the power is out. We are becoming increasingly dependent on having reliable electricity as modern homes generally have more appliances/electronics and we work or school from home more. Many homeowners consider a whole home generator at some point so let’s talk a little about the different types and factors that impact the overall cost. Generac is by far the leading brand of whole home generators so we will look mainly at their offerings and models.
The first step is of course a load calculation to look at the kW or size of generator required for your home, this will factor in appliances, current power service and any exceptions for gas powered appliances, as well as other needs. In the most basic terms, we find homes under 2000 sq. ft. are considering a 14-18 kW generator and homes over 2000 sq. ft. are more likely somewhere between 22-26 kW as a baseline. It often makes sense to “size up” when in doubt because a larger generator may run more efficiently than one that is “barely enough”. The cost difference is often negligible given other fixed costs and also allows for any future increases in demand.
Additional Cost Factors:
A whole home generator isn’t a small investment. In addition to the cost of the generator there are a number of other costs that impact the overall project. These cost considerations are often overlooked as the focus tends to be about discussing only the kW or “size” of the generator but they often impact buying decisions as they are mostly a fixed cost regardless of “what size” generator you decide on.
Be sure to consider the cost of items like:
Installation or upgrades to Liquid Propane or Natural Gas tanks and lines to connect the generator
Location of the generator and accessibility to both fuel source and the electrical panel
Cost associated with the transfer switch
Permit fees & inspections
Any panel or service upgrades needed in order to connect the generator
Future repairs and maintenance costs over the life of the generator
Air-Cooled Guardian Series:
This is by far the most common residential whole home generator made by Generac and our go to solution for most of our customers. Currently these units range in size from 14 kW – 26 kW and are specifically designed for residential usage. They are incredibly reliable and covered by a 5 year warranty.
Liquid Cooled Protector Series:
These units are most often seen for commercial/small business uses or large homes that may have multiple buildings that need back up power. They are significantly more expensive for both initial costs as well as maintenance. They range in size from 22 kW all the way to 150 kW.
Smaller Air Cooled Models:
There is an air-cooled 7 kW PowerPact available as well as a 10 kW Guardian but consumer demand is shifting to larger “whole house” systems. Given the overall costs of a whole home generator most people are opting for systems that can provide power for the entire home rather than the partial protection offered by these smaller units.
Eco-Gen Models:
There is also some new technology out for eco-friendly home generators designed to work with solar, wind or off-grid homes. As power supply technologies change these options will likely expand but currently this is only available as a 15 kW model.
Portable Generators:
Never forget, there are also plenty of options for gasoline powered portable generators and many homeowners will opt for this budget friendly solution by adding a transfer switch. This is a good option for households that just need to power a few essentials for shorter outages and many homeowners may already have one for other recreational uses.
The first step towards any generator project is an on-site evaluation and discussion about the goals, needs or expenses specific to your home.
Ask the Electrician is a column we publish with our advertising partner WCHL/Chapelboro. In “Ask The Electrician,” Scott answers common questions about electrical work, from switches and outlets to safety issues and preventative maintenance. If you have a suggested question for us to answer – or need an electrician – please reach out to our office.
Ask the Electrician: Generators and Backup Plans
Q: Do I really want, or need, a generator for my home?
It’s well into hurricane season, and here in the Triangle the possibility of a hurricane is just a part of summer life. Additionally, this year the news seems full of stories about climate change, weakened power grids and coming energy challenges. Most homeowners have at some point wondered about getting a generator to power their home during an emergency or extended outage and this year is no different. Generators are a big investment, but offer a lot of benefits especially relevant this time of year.
Initial Cost:
A whole home generator with a fully automatic transfer system isn’t a small investment. On average these systems cost between $8,000-$12,000 fully installed. Exact costs depend on a number of individual factors like; the kW or “size” of the generator, existing install location, available fuel sources, permits and setup of the electrical panel in your home.
There are more affordable options, especially if you already have a portable gasoline generator and want to look at just powering a few crucial items like a refrigerator, coffee pot or a few lights. If this is the case, consider setting up a transfer switch and dedicated circuits for your existing generator. This can be a solid option for many homes for some basic emergency power even if it does require a bit more involvement from the homeowner.
Maintenance & Repairs:
Like any major home system, your generator will need to be properly maintained if you expect it to be ready when you need it the most. Most whole home generators need at least an annual maintenance visit and “test start” to make sure the system starts and runs as intended if the power goes out.
If you live in a more rural area that has frequent power outages or use your generator for other situations, like powering an out-building, we suggest semi-annual maintenance to keep things running smoothly.
In addition to general maintenance, there will be possible repair expenses and replacements for “wear items” like batteries etc. Generac has a solid six-year warranty on all their whole home generators but it does not cover everything. Homeowners should be prepared for some ongoing maintenance & upkeep expenses.
Dynamic Electric offers a discount for our customers with annual service plans starting at $239/year and priority scheduling when possible.
Evaluate Your Family’s Specific Needs:
For some of us a few hours or even a few days without electricity might sound like a candle-lit adventure, for others it can be a nightmare. If you work from home, have a larger family or maybe a family member with medical needs, a generator makes great sense for peace of mind. Or maybe you just don’t want to worry about food spoiling, summer nights with no A/C or the simple inconvenience factor of a power outage? Every family is different and the best way to start the conversation might be with a free estimate and discussion with our team about what you want to accomplish.
Ask the Electrician is a column we publish with our advertising partner WCHL/Chapelboro. In “Ask The Electrician,” Scott answers common questions about electrical work, from switches and outlets to safety issues and preventative maintenance. If you have a suggested question for us to answer – or need an electrician – please reach out to our office.
See the article on Chapelboro.com: Generators and Backup Plans
Ask the Electrician: Finding the Right Generator for Your Home
Q: I’m thinking about a whole home generator, what things should I consider?
A fact of life in North Carolina is the ever changing weather; from summer storms to icy winters and of course the potential for hurricanes. Power outages range from mere hassle to extended periods without electricity. As a result many homeowners have thought about the convenience of a home generator at least once. Here are some things to consider in that decision process.
Decide what items you want powered by the generator, do you want the entire home available or are you comfortable with partial power for essentials like refrigerators, some lights, small appliances etc. Do you want power for major systems like HVAC? Some people are happy with essentials, but many decide that for the additional expense it’s easier to cover the entire house.
These days most whole home generators come with an automatic transfer switch. This means the generator senses an outage and automatically starts the generator and draws power from there. There is less than a minute of interruption between the outage, the generator starting up and transferring the power from the generator to the house. Hands down these systems are one of the best things about modern home generators.
Unlike portable generators that run on gasoline, home generators run on either natural gas or liquid propane. If you already have service that may make the decision for you. You also need to consider the size of your tank if you go with propane as a fuel. Think about how long you want the generator to be able to run, depending on Kw and usage a smaller 125lb propane tank may last for a couple days while a larger 500lb. tank will last closer to 5-6 days. Ask for an exact calculation of this when making your decisions.
A whole house generator can be a major investment, depending on the size and installation requirements you can spend an average of $7000-$12,000. Ask for several quotes and talk with providers about your expectations. Make sure you have discussed all the expenses involved: equipment and installation, upgrades to fuel service, permits, costs to upgrade any old electrical systems or equipment to work with the generator.
Consider maintenance and warranties as well, we recommend a test start and general maintenance visit at least once a year but if you live in an area that loses power more often this might need to be done bi-annually. There’s nothing more frustrating than a generator that doesn’t work when you need it or a warranty that doesn’t cover what you need.
Make sure you are getting on-site estimates to ensure that there are no surprises; such a trenching through the favorite rose garden or insufficient clearances for installation. With a little time and planning, a whole home generator is a great addition and gives great peace of mind to make power outages a thing of the past.
Ask the Electrician is a column we publish with our advertising partner WCHL/Chapelboro. In “Ask The Electrician,” Scott answers common questions about electrical work, from switches and outlets to safety issues and preventative maintenance. If you have a suggested question for us to answer – or need an electrician – please reach out to our office.
See the article on Chapelboro.com: Finding the Right Generator for Your Home
Does generator service history impact my warranty from the manufacturer?
In general, your warranty can be impacted if your generator shows signs of neglect, misuse or improper maintenance. Clear service records can prevent many disputes about coverage.
How often will my generator need service?
At a minimum your generator should be serviced every year. This ensures that your generator is ready to perform in the event of a power loss.
If you use your generator on a regular basis or live in an area that experiences more frequent outages, consider the semi-annual service plan for the best preventative maintenance.
I plan to run my generator on propane, how large a tank do I need?
This depends on both the size of your generator and how long you plan on running it for. For most home usages we recommend either a 120 gallon tank for short outages (1-2 days) or a 500 gallon tank for more extended time periods (8-10 days).
Here are more exact estimates based on the size of your generator and assuming an average 50% load on the generator during the outage.
22kw Generac: 48 hours on 120 gallon tank / 197 hours on a 500 gallon tank
20kw Generac: 50 hours on 120 gallon tank / 210 hours on a 500 gallon tank
16kw Generac: 59 hours on 120 gallon tank / 246 hours on a 500 gallon tank
7.5kw Generac: 138 hours on 120 gallon tank / 574 hours on a 500 gallon tank
Should I use Natural Gas or Propane to fuel my generator?
This depends entirely on your preference is or what pre-existing fuel type you may have already available at your home.
In general propane is a slightly more commonly available and customers can contact their propane provider directly to upgrade the size of the fuel tank and make arrangements to have a line added for the generator. Initial installation costs for the propane line tend to be a bit cheaper but propane is more expensive than natural gas over the long term if you will be using the generator for extended periods of time. Additionally the size of the fuel tank will determine how long your generator can run during an outage.
Natural gas installation costs a bit more but the fuel cost of natural gas is generally lower. As long as the supply of natural gas is uninterrupted your generator will continue to work.
Your generator will perform well on either fuel so many people select the fuel that they already use in their home, especially if the generator is intended for emergency back-up power and will not be used on a regular basis.
Both fuel types require a two-tiered inspection from county permitting offices. One when the fuel line is prepped and ready to connect and a second final inspection once both the generator and fuel source are connected.
Will my power be off while installing my generator?
For safety, your main electrical power will need to be turned off while connecting the transfer switch and other components of your generator. This is generally done on the second day of installation and your power will be off for part or most of the day while work is completed. Please plan accordingly as hvac systems, refrigerators and other electrical appliances will not be available during this time.
What is the process for setting up my whole home generator? How long will it take?
After accepting your generator proposal and making a few key decisions about fuel type and permitting we are generally able to install your new generator system in 4-5 weeks after receiving your deposit. Decisions about what type of fuel and if the homeowner is managing any fuel contractors or permitting will impact this timeframe.
Homeowners should allow up to 2-4 weeks to order materials, apply for the required permits, and co-ordinate schedules with a fuel contractor and then the installation is scheduled and can generally be completed in a week.
Installing a standby generator that is connected to you home requires careful coordination of the fuel contractor, Dynamic Electric and county permitting departments. If homeowners decide to manage their own fuel contractor or the permitting process they may need additional time to gather quotes and manage schedules so should adjust their timeframe as needed.
Assuming that Dynamic Electric is managing the fuel contractor and permitting, here is what to expect:
Weeks 2-4 after deposit is received
Dynamic Electric orders the generator and all required parts and materials.
Permit requests are submitted to the appropriate county offices.
Dynamic Electric contacts the fuel sub contractor (Propane or Natural Gas) and schedules installation of service lines with them.
Parts and materials arrive at Dynamic Electric and are staged for install day
Depending on scheduling needs the fuel contractor may come out and set up the service lines prior to Dynamic Electric's install date but in most cases we like to do everything the same week.
Week of Installation:
Install Day 1: Generator is delivered to home and placed on service pad, leveled and all appropriate lines and materials are laid out for installation. Fuel Contractor sets up new line and preps for first inspection.
Install Day 2: Inspection of fuel line is completed. Transfer switch and electrical connections for generator are completed. Power to the home will be turned off for part or most of the day while this work is completed.
Install Day 3: Fuel contractor connects fuel to generator.
Install Day 4: Final inspection of fuel line and generator is completed. Depending on your county this may be a single inspection or may be two different inspectors.
Install Day 5: Start up test and run through of generator systems by Dynamic Electric.
Your back-up generator is now ready to go!
Does generator installation require a permit?
Yes, installing a permanent standby generator always required a permit for the electrical connections and another permit for the fuel connection. We pull our own electrical permit and call for our own inspections after the work is complete. Fuel permits are acquired by the fuel provider but we can also provide a turnkey solution to work directly with your fuel provider at an additional cost and manage their installation as well.
Do you install or Service brands other than Generac?
Yes, our electrician's are trained in the installation requirements for a majority of generator brands. For certain installations, especially commercial installations, we may sub-out the start-up testing process to a certified installer of that brand if needed.
Can I plug a portable generator into my home electricity to run essentials?
This may be a great option for customers who do not need to run many items or are not ready for the expense of a dedicated whole home standby generator. There are some great portable generators on the market that can be used for emergency power in the home as well as more common recreational uses.
Some customers prefer this option because they do not have natural gas or propane available at their home and are more comfortable running a gas powered generator rather than adding natural gas or propane service to their home.
What you will be able to run will depend on the size of your generator but even smaller models (2500-3000 watts) can be capable of providing electricity for basic household needs like a refrigerator, coffee pot and some lights during a power outage.
For lights and small appliance, it may be easiest to use the outlets provided on the generator and simply run an extension cord inside to the appliances. Remember, generators should never be operated inside the home and use caution to not overload an extension cord by plugging to many items into it.
If you would like to be able to run larger appliance like your refrigerator or don't want to mess with extension cords, you can connect the generator directly to your panel box and use it to run a limited number of breakers. (Your refrigerator and living room lights for example.)
In order to do this you will need a transfer switch to regulate receiving power from the generator into your electrical panel.
What is a generator transfer switch?
A transfer switch is a switch that moves electrical load between two different sources, normally between a generator and an electrical panel/utility line.
Transfer switches can be automatic (ATS) (common with standby generators) or manual which require you to physically move the switch when you want to redirect the source of electricity. Both types ensure that power is not backfed to the generator or utility line when changing back and forth.
There are many options available and correct selection will depend on your specific home's needs.