St. Louis weather produces long outages: summer derechos, winter ice, and spring storms that take down lines across St. Charles County and the metro. A standby generator with an automatic transfer switch restores power in seconds. The question is how big it needs to be.
Start with what has to stay on
For most families the non-negotiables are the sump pump, the refrigerator and freezer, the furnace (gas furnaces still need electricity for the blower and controls), a well pump if you have one, some lighting, and outlets for phones and medical equipment. That is an essential-circuit system, and it is the most affordable way into standby power.
Add air conditioning and you are in whole-home territory
Central air conditioning is the single largest load in most homes. Carrying it, along with the water heater and everything else, means a whole-home system, typically 18 to 26 kilowatts for an average house and larger for big homes with two AC units.
Load management makes smaller units go further
Modern transfer switches can shed low-priority loads automatically so a mid-sized generator can run the AC without tripping when the dryer starts. We use load management to right-size systems rather than oversize them.
Fuel
Most standby generators in our area run on natural gas, which never runs out during an outage. Rural homes in western St. Charles County, Lincoln County, and Franklin County often use propane. Either way, we coordinate the gas connection with a licensed gas fitter.
Installation and permits
A typical residential install takes one to two days once the unit and gas service are ready. We handle the electrical permit and inspection, the transfer switch, the pad, and the startup. Learn more about generator installation or schedule a sizing visit.
Talk to a licensed electrician
Questions about your home or building? Request a quote or schedule online. Flat-rate quotes, no pressure.
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