
Generators 101
Generators 101

Backup generators use advanced technology to keep power flowing to your home in case of a power outage. These systems are stationary, permanently installed devices that resemble an outdoor air conditioning unit. They run on a variety of fuels (natural gas or propane) and connect directly to your home's wiring.
If your home loses power, your generator will automatically kick in, powering parts of your home or even specific appliances based on the settings you have chosen. The generators we offer vary in capacity, from small generators that power a limited number of essential circuits and appliances to generators that can power every circuit in your home for extended periods of time. They shut off on their own when power is restored.
A free assessment will help you determine which generator fits your needs. And you can read more about each type of generator and its power capacity on our backup generator options page.
Power outages can disrupt your life and even be disastrous if you don’t have backup power available. A permanently installed generator can automatically keep your home powered during outages of any length. If you live in an area with frequent storms or outages, or you’ve experienced a devastating outage in the past, installing a generator on your property can help you cope with the effects of power failure by providing automatic power during critical times.
Power outages can occur for a variety of reasons.
Request a free assessment, and we will come to your home to determine the best generator for your needs, installation location, power source and budget.
We make it easy to install and maintain your generator with reliable, professional services.
A concrete slab will be poured, similar to what an outside air conditioning unit sits on.
A licensed plumber and electrician will run piping and wiring to connect the generator to the gas and electrical meters. Sometimes these are below ground; sometimes they are attached to the house.
All work is completed to comply with building code standards.
Call 1-855-457-5700 for service-related questions.
The size you need depends on several factors, which a Reliant representative will evaluate and discuss with you. Before your appointment, decide if you want your entire house to have electricity during an outage or if you only want to power specific areas or appliances. The more items you want to power, the more powerful your generator will need to be.
In general, 10kW to 14kW are enough to run survival appliances (refrigerator, HVAC, sump pump and some lights). A 15kW to 20kW generator can run a small home (no air conditioning), and 21kW to 25kW can run a small to medium-sized home, with the higher kW generators able to support an air conditioning system.
Absolutely. An Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) handles the entire operation of the generator back-up of your home. It starts the generator, then transfers your house, or selected loads, to the generator as the source of power; then, back to the power company when the service is restored.
If you choose to transfer your circuits or home manually to a whole home generator, the entire sequence of operation will fall on you. In situations where you are not home, or there are people in the home that cannot perform the necessary steps to run the generator, there will be no power available.
It does add additional cost to the installation of the generator, but the peace of mind provided may be what your situation needs. A discussion with your salesman or technician about this can provide you with the best information to make your decision.
Just like any piece of machinery, generators require maintenance to ensure proper operation when the power goes out. Most manufacturers recommend changing the oil and oil filter once a year or every 100 hours, as well as inspecting the battery, air filter, and condition of the generator in general. The Owners Manual that came with your generator can provide specific instructions for your particular unit.
If you live in a region where extended outages occur, you may need to keep spare oil and oil filters on hand for servicing your generator.
Be sure to reach out to your generator salesman or technician for maintenance services and replacement parts you might need for your generator in order to ensure it runs properly and extend the life of your generator.
Home standby generators are designed to perform a test run anywhere from once a week to once a month, depending on the manufacturer, to ensure proper operation. Your generator salesman or technician can instruct you in performing a test transfer of your particular system. If you notice anything unusual when the generator is performing its weekly run, or while you are testing it, call your technician and have it inspected.
The cost varies due to several factors:
We will send out a licensed plumber or electrician to walk you through all of your options and provide a final estimate.