{"id":227,"date":"2018-08-21T07:25:32","date_gmt":"2018-08-21T11:25:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/4bsystems.com\/?page_id=227"},"modified":"2019-01-04T10:29:30","modified_gmt":"2019-01-04T15:29:30","slug":"power-generators","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/4bsystems.com\/power-generators\/","title":{"rendered":"Power Generators"},"content":{"rendered":"

Residential Generators<\/h1>\n
\n

\"Generac4B Systems installs and services standby back up power generators in metro Chicago area.\u00a0 Standby generators come in a wide variety of sizes from 6 kW to 150kw and larger.\u00a0 4B Systems handles the entire project from sizing the generator, purchase of the equipment, handling the electrical and plumbing, permitting and installation. \u00a0We\u2019ve installed 100\u2019s residential generators in the past few years in the metro Chicago region.<\/p>\n

Generator\u00a0Sizes<\/h2>\n

Generators are sized in kW or kilowatts, so a 10kW generator will produce 10 kilowatts or 10,000 watts of power. \u00a04B Systems, as a licensed electrician will help you determine the proper generator size after calculating the anticipated electrical loads. \u00a0Keep in mind, a standby generator can be connected to all of your home\u2019s electrical circuits or just a few \u201cessential circuits\u201d.\u00a0 You can power your whole home during an outage or just the essential circuits like your refrigerator\/freezer, kitchen appliance, a few light and receptacle circuits, the fan blower motor for gas heating equipment, the security system, garage door opener, and water pumps and sump pumps.<\/p>\n

A very popular generator is a \u201c20kW\u201d (20,000 Watts) model.\u00a0 It\u2019s easy on the budget because most 20kW generators are air-cooled (as compared to \u201cliquid-cooled\u201d) and cost between $3,500 and $5,0000, including a 200-Amp Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS).\u00a0 Most 20kW generators are connected to a 200-Amp load center and, thus, come with a 200-Amp ATS and Cold Weather Kit.<\/p>\n

If your home is under 4,000 square feet or less, a 20kW generator will be sufficient.\u00a0 A 20kW generator will run most house receptacles, lights, and up to a 5-ton central air conditioner. \u00a0When a generator is connected to all house circuits, the installation is referred to as a \u201cwhole house generator installation\u201d and will cover:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • kitchen receptacles and lights (including refrigerator\/freezer)<\/li>\n
  • the fan blower motor for your gas heat<\/li>\n
  • the security system<\/li>\n
  • garage door opener<\/li>\n
  • lights and receptacles, and<\/li>\n
  • central air conditioning unit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Determine the right generator for the job<\/h2>\n

    Now that we\u2019ve identified which electrical circuits are important, we can project the total electrical load from these same loads.\u00a0 Here\u2019s a sample scenario during the summer months where we are doing the laundry but we\u2019re conserving power and not operating the washing machine and dryer at the same time.\u00a0 We\u2019re also not operating any cooking appliances.\u00a0 Someone is watching TV and downstairs, one ceiling fan is \u201con\u201d as well as the downstairs air conditioner.\u00a0 Let\u2019s look at the results:<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Let\u2019s talk about overall project costs<\/h2>\n

    Costs for typical 20kW generators (with ATS) vary from around $3,500 – $5,000 for a Cummins or Generac generator with a Cold Weather Kit and ATS Switch.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Most manufacturers now offer a 5-year limited warranty (generally, 5-years on parts and 2-years on labor) with an optional 5-year comprehensive warranty.<\/p>\n

    Installation costs can vary widely.\u00a0 The lowest cost installation can be obtained if the electric meter and gas meter are located next to each other on the same side of the house.\u00a0 Installation costs may range a bit higher when the generator is located away from either the electric or gas meters, especially in situations where the electric meter is on one side of the house while the gas meter is on the opposite side of the house.\u00a0When budgeting for a professionally installed standby generator for your home, it is best to assume installation costs will closely approximate the cost of the generator equipment.\u00a0 This isn\u2019t always true but, more often than not, the rule of thumb is fairly accurate.\u00a0 So\u2014if you spend, say, $5,000.00 for the generator equipment, expect the total project to be around $10,000.00.\u00a0 Project costs for liquid-cooled generators begin in the mid-teens and can often range well in excess of $20,000.00.<\/p>\n

    The 20kW air-cooled generator is the generator of choice in 70% of all installations.\u00a0 Use it as a whole house generator for homes under 4,000 square feet (with gas heat and hot water), or as a partial house, essential circuits only generator for larger homes.<\/p>\n

    Avoid making this mistake \u2026<\/h2>\n

    You might be shopping at a Big Box Store and find a standby generator with lettering on the box claiming to be a \u201cWhole House Generator\u201d.\u00a0 More than likely, the kit includes a 200-Amp ATS that connects to your home\u2019s 200-Amp service, thus, covering the entire house.\u00a0 The generator itself can be as small as 12kW or up to 22kW.<\/p>\n

    This is important:\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0The term \u201cWhole House\u201d refers to the ATS, not the generator.\u00a0 If you connect a 200-Amp ATS\u00a0 to your home\u2019s 200-Amp service, you now have \u201cWhole House Coverage\u201d. \u00a0If you are looking for a Whole House Generator, it is critically important that you calculate the anticipated electrical loads, better still, consult an industry professional. \u00a0An \u201cindustry professional\u201d is not necessarily any electrical contractor.\u00a0 While there are many gifted electricians out there who can quickly resolve just about any electrical problem, the truth of the matter is many electricians have little or no experience installing a standby generator.\u00a0 The lesson to be learned here is to work with an experienced generator installer and, preferably, also an authorized dealer for the manufacturer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    At 4B Systems\u00a0 \u2013 we know residential generators. We can get you the best price on the unit, professionally install it, and maintain it for you. \u00a0Please contact 4B Systems for a free quote on Residential Generators in the\u00a0Mundelein and metro Chicago region.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Residential Generators 4B Systems installs and services standby back up power generators in metro Chicago area.\u00a0 Standby generators come in a wide variety of sizes from 6 kW to 150kw and larger.\u00a0 4B Systems handles the entire project from sizing the generator, purchase of the equipment, handling the electrical and plumbing, permitting and installation. \u00a0We\u2019ve…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"yoast_head":"\nPower Generators - 4B Systems, Inc - Residential and Commercial Electrician<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/4bsystems.com\/power-generators\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Power Generators - 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