Guides
October 8, 2025
Complete guide to backup generator installation and maintenance by licensed electricians, covering the entire process from sizing to ongoing care.
Share:
Summary:
Installing a backup generator is a commitment to staying prepared that begins with meeting your local authorized dealer. The process isn’t something you tackle over a weekend—it’s a multi-step project that requires professional expertise and careful coordination.
The installation process is complex and involves electrical work and gas line installation, which is why it’s recommended to hire a licensed electrician rather than attempting it yourself. While the actual installation usually takes hours, the entire preparation process takes multiple weeks.
When you request a quote, authorized dealers will contact you to schedule a free no-obligation at-home consultation where we’ll understand your unique needs, help you weigh available options, and provide custom estimates for total solution cost.
The first critical decision involves determining what you want to power during an outage. You might choose to keep essentials like refrigerators, furnaces, and sump pumps running along with some lights, add more conveniences and comforts, or operate your home normally without any power-use restrictions.
Generators are sized in kilowatts (kW), so a 10kW generator produces 10,000 watts of power, with licensed electricians helping determine proper generator size after calculating anticipated electrical loads. For homes under 4,000 square feet, a 20kW generator is typically sufficient and will run most house receptacles, lights, and up to a 5-ton central air conditioner.
Your electrician will also help you decide between powering your whole home or just essential circuits. A standby generator can connect to all electrical circuits or just essential ones like refrigerator/freezer, kitchen appliances, lighting, heating equipment fan motor, security system, garage door opener, and water/sump pumps.
The consultation includes site evaluation where professionals gather critical information to determine power requirements, load calculation, location for the generator, size needed, and appropriate transfer switch. We help pick the best location by seeking a stable, well-drained area with enough space for maintenance, with installation costs decreasing when the site is closer to natural gas lines and electric meters.
When you request a quote, authorized dealers will contact you to schedule a free no-obligation at-home consultation where we’ll understand your unique needs, help you weigh available options, and provide custom estimates for total solution cost.
The first critical decision involves determining what you want to power during an outage. You might choose to keep essentials like refrigerators, furnaces, and sump pumps running along with some lights, add more conveniences and comforts, or operate your home normally without any power-use restrictions.
Generators are sized in kilowatts (kW), so a 10kW generator produces 10,000 watts of power, with licensed electricians helping determine proper generator size after calculating anticipated electrical loads. For homes under 4,000 square feet, a 20kW generator is typically sufficient and will run most house receptacles, lights, and up to a 5-ton central air conditioner.
Your electrician will also help you decide between powering your whole home or just essential circuits. A standby generator can connect to all electrical circuits or just essential ones like refrigerator/freezer, kitchen appliances, lighting, heating equipment fan motor, security system, garage door opener, and water/sump pumps.
The consultation includes site evaluation where professionals gather critical information to determine power requirements, load calculation, location for the generator, size needed, and appropriate transfer switch. We help pick the best location by seeking a stable, well-drained area with enough space for maintenance, with installation costs decreasing when the site is closer to natural gas lines and electric meters.
Want live answers?
Connect with a Jimco Electric expert for fast, friendly support.
A generator isn’t a “set it and forget it” device—it requires visual inspection before every use and a maintenance schedule including weekly, monthly, and annual checkups, with regular maintenance being crucial to avoid breakdowns and prolong generator life.
Standby generators require preventive and predictive maintenance and regular testing to ensure highest reliability, with operation and maintenance costs varying depending on generator size, operating profile, fuel type, and maintenance plan. With preventive maintenance, a backup generator can last 20+ years, depending partly on usage frequency—potentially as little as 26 hours annually if there are no outages and you conduct weekly exercise.
While you should have your generator inspected and serviced annually, there are regular maintenance tasks you can perform yourself on weekly and monthly basis. All major generator manufacturers recommend simple monthly checks to ensure reliability.
Weekly maintenance includes several key tasks. Exercise the generator by running it at full load for about 15 minutes to keep it lubricated and the battery charged. Check fuel levels to ensure readiness and make sure your standby generator is set to start automatically after power disruption. Perform a quick visual inspection for leaks or loose wiring.
Monthly maintenance involves more detailed checks. For gas-powered generators, check fuel lines for damage and proper connection; for diesel generators, check fuel and water separators and drain excess water; check oil level and top off if low; examine battery terminals for corrosion and secure connection; inspect air filter and replace if necessary; and check coolant levels, adding more if required.
During any inspection, begin by looking for oil leaks or other wear signs, keep your generator clean by removing dirt and debris, and ensure no rodents, birds, or harmful insects have infiltrated the unit. Walk around your generator checking for oil or fuel leaks, loose wires, corrosion, or debris buildup, maintaining a clear 3 to 5-foot radius around the generator for proper airflow.
Most newer generators automatically run weekly self-tests, but manufacturers still recommend monthly manual run tests under load. To ensure reliable starting when needed, start your generator periodically, with frequency varying by specifications—some requiring it every few weeks while others can go longer between startups.
Annual maintenance is best performed by trained technicians, and this may be a requirement of the manufacturer’s warranty, with professionals able to perform all standard maintenance or just annual inspection and maintenance. Maintenance should be conducted by qualified personnel, with activity logged to confirm completion and provide foundation for trend analysis, following manufacturer’s recommendations.
Professional maintenance involves comprehensive system checks that go beyond homeowner capabilities. Annual focus includes the generator’s electrical system, turning off all power sources for internal inspection, examining AC wiring and alternator for cleanliness, inspecting air intake system and replacing air filter, and checking air induction piping.
Just like a car, your generator needs oil to run smoothly, with manufacturers generally recommending oil changes every 50 to 100 hours of runtime or at least annually, since old oil can thicken and damage the engine, especially during long outages when generators run continuously. You should change oil after 100 hours of use, sooner the first time with first oil change recommended after 30 hours, and switch out plugs and air filter every 200 hours.
Adopting preventive and predictive maintenance programs is critical to ensuring generator systems function properly and efficiently, with proper maintenance improving system performance, increasing operating life, and protecting the asset. Regular maintenance is key to ensuring your generator starts right up when power goes out, with straightforward maintenance following recommendations from major manufacturers like Generac, Kohler, Briggs & Stratton, and Cummins.
The investment in professional maintenance pays off significantly. A well-maintained generator can last 2-3 times longer than a neglected one, saving thousands of dollars and ensuring power when you need it most. Neglecting maintenance can lead to generator failure during emergencies, expose your home to serious hazards like carbon monoxide buildup or electrical fire risks, and void manufacturer warranties.
Power outages in the Chicagoland area are common due to high winds, severe storms, and vehicle accidents, with outages ranging from brief interruptions to prolonged blackouts stretching for days. Having a properly installed and maintained backup generator provides the peace of mind that comes with knowing your family will stay comfortable and safe regardless of what happens to the power grid.
The installation process requires professional expertise from initial consultation through final testing and ongoing maintenance. When budgeting for a professionally installed standby generator, installation costs typically approximate equipment costs, so a $5,000 generator project totals around $10,000. However, the investment pays for itself through prevented food spoilage, avoided basement flooding, and most importantly, your family’s safety and comfort.
For Cook County and Will County residents who need reliable electrical services and generator installation, we bring 25 years of experience handling emergency electrical repairs and critical power issues. Our licensed, bonded, and insured team understands exactly what it takes to keep your home powered when the unexpected happens.
Article details:
Share:
Continue learning:
