Generator Installation in Houston, TX

Houston homeowners know power outages aren’t a question of if, but when. Between hurricane season, severe thunderstorms, and an aging grid, losing power is a recurring reality across Greater Houston. A whole-home standby generator keeps your lights on, your AC running, and your family safe when the grid goes down. Emergency Electrician Houston installs, maintains, and services whole-home generators from Generac and Kohler.

What Is a Whole-Home Standby Generator?

A whole-home standby generator is a permanently installed unit that sits outside your home (similar to an AC condenser) and connects to your natural gas or propane supply. When utility power is lost, an automatic transfer switch detects the outage and starts the generator within seconds — no manual intervention required. When power returns, the system shuts down and switches back to grid power automatically.

Unlike portable generators, standby units power your entire home, run on a permanent fuel source, and operate safely without extension cords or manual refueling.

Generator Brands We Install

Generac — The most widely installed residential standby generator in the U.S. Generac units range from 10kW to 26kW for residential use, with Wi-Fi monitoring and automatic weekly self-testing. We are experienced with the full Generac Guardian and Protector series.

Kohler — A premium option known for quieter operation and commercial-grade build quality. Kohler residential generators range from 14kW to 26kW and feature advanced voltage regulation for sensitive electronics.

We recommend the right brand and size based on your home’s electrical load, fuel source, and budget.

What Size Generator Do I Need?

Generator sizing depends on what you want to power during an outage:

Essential circuits only (14–16kW): Powers AC (one unit), refrigerator, lights, Wi-Fi, garage door, and a few outlets. Suitable for most Houston homes under 2,500 sq ft.

Whole-home coverage (20–26kW): Powers everything, including dual AC units, electric range, water heater, pool pump, and EV charger. Recommended for homes over 2,500 sq ft or homes with heavy electrical loads.

We perform a detailed load calculation during the site assessment to recommend the right size for your home.

Generator Installation Costs in Houston

• 14–16kW generator (essential circuits): $5,500–$8,000 installed
• 20–22kW generator (whole-home, standard): $8,000–$12,000 installed
• 24–26kW generator (whole-home, premium): $12,000–$16,000 installed

All prices include the generator unit, automatic transfer switch, concrete pad, gas line connection (if natural gas is available), electrical connections, permits, and city inspection. Propane installations may require an additional tank and supply line — cost varies.

Our Installation Process

1. Site assessment and load calculation — We evaluate your home’s electrical load, panel capacity, fuel source, and placement options for the generator.
2. Proposal and scheduling — You receive a written quote covering the full project. We coordinate the installation timeline, which typically includes a 2–4 week lead time for equipment.
3. Concrete pad and gas line — We pour a level concrete pad and connect the gas supply line (natural gas or propane).
4. Electrical connections — We install the automatic transfer switch at your main panel, wire the generator, and configure the load management system.
5. Testing and commissioning — We simulate a power outage to verify automatic startup, load transfer, and return-to-grid operation. We configure the weekly self-test schedule and set up Wi-Fi monitoring if applicable.
6. Permit and inspection — We handle all electrical and gas permits and schedule the required city inspection.

Houston-Specific Considerations

Hurricane preparedness — Houston is in a high-risk hurricane zone. After Hurricane Beryl in 2024, generator demand across Greater Houston surged. We recommend not waiting until storm season to schedule installation — lead times increase significantly from June through November.

Natural gas availability — Most homes inside Beltway 8 and in established suburbs have natural gas service from CenterPoint Energy. Natural gas generators run indefinitely during outages since the gas supply is independent of the electrical grid. For homes without natural gas, we install propane-powered units with appropriately sized tanks.

HOA and setback requirements — Generators must typically be placed at least 5 feet from windows and property lines, and many Houston-area HOAs have noise and placement requirements. We handle placement planning and can provide documentation for HOA approval.

Serving All of Greater Houston

We install generators across Greater Houston, including Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Cypress, Spring, Pasadena, The Woodlands, Humble, Tomball, Missouri City, Bellaire, and all areas within our 20-mile service radius.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does generator installation take? The typical installation is completed in 1–2 days, not counting the concrete pad curing time (24–48 hours). Total project timeline from signed proposal to operational generator is usually 3–6 weeks, depending on equipment availability.

Can a generator power my whole house including AC? Yes, with the right size unit. A 20–22kW generator will power a single central AC system plus all other household loads. For homes with two AC units, we typically recommend a 24–26kW unit or a load management system that cycles between units.

How loud is a standby generator? Modern Generac and Kohler generators operate at 60–70 decibels at rated load, roughly the volume of a normal conversation. Kohler units tend to be slightly quieter. Most Houston-area noise ordinances allow generator operation during power outages regardless of time of day.

What maintenance does a generator need? Standby generators run a brief self-test weekly (typically 15 minutes). Professional maintenance is recommended every 12 months or 200 hours of operation, whichever comes first. Maintenance includes oil and filter change, spark plug inspection, battery check, and transfer switch testing.