We have taken the liberty of sharing with you the answers to the most common questions received. See if we’ve answered any lingering questions you may have on your mind. If not, give us a call. We’d love to hear from you. 1. What is the difference between a portable gasoline generator and an automatic generator system? Noise… Complete Automation ... Comfort … Safety … Convenience … Back Feed… Run time … Preset Self Exercise … Diagnostic Check… Otherwise, they are the same! 2. How does a standby generator work? Please refer to the System Set-up & Operation section. 3. What size standby generator do I need for my house during a power outage? Please refer to the Sizes/Options/Prices/Specs section. 4. What does a Standby Generator System typically cost? The all inclusive, turnkey cost of automatic generators ranges from $8,000 to $12,000 for the small systems (8-13kW), from $17,000 to $25,000 for the medium systems (18-35kW), and from $35,000 to $55,000 for the large (whole house) systems (45-100kW), depending on the size, manufacturer, options, site conditions, and difficulty of installation. Please refer to Sizes/Options/Prices/Specs section for more information. 5. What is the process for a typical installation? Please refer to the Process, Pictures section. 6. Can my generator be installed inside my home? NO! A generator has an internal combustion engine and uses gas and oil. The exhaust from running the generator contains lethal carbon monoxide. Therefore, a generator should always be located outdoors in a well ventilated area. 7. How long will my generator run during an extended power outage? Your generator will run for as long as your fuel supply is available. Provided the proper oil level is maintained, natural gas fueled generators can technically run for weeks at a time, while run time for propane gas and diesel fueled generators is usually between 2-7 days without refueling, as determined by the size of their supply tanks. 8. Is financing available? Yes! Financing is available, up to 100% of the total cost of the project. Please ask your sales engineer about the specific financing programs available for your system. 9. How will I know if and why my generator has failed to exercise? All our generators have a diagnostic center inside the generator and on the transfer switch. The flashing light indicator panel display will alert you if the generator has failed to start and the nature of the problem. 10. Can I run a computer or other sensitive electronic equipment off the generator during a power outage? Yes, the power coming from your generator is just as safe as what you normally have coming from your utility company. The spikes or surges that accompany power generation are just a normal aspect of electricity. However, you should use a good surge protector to guard against small influxes in power when using sensitive or expensive electronic equipment running off a wall outlet, regardless of whether you have a generator or not. 11. Do I have to worry about “back-feed” when the generator is running and the utility power is (or comes back) on? No. All of our transfer switches are automatic and designed to keep back-feed from occurring, much like it is not possible for you to turn a light switch on and off at the same time. 12. What is the warranty on automatic generator systems? The warranty on generators and switchgear is from 1-3 years or 1,500 hours, depending on the manufacturer. 13. What’s a Preventive Maintenance contract? Is it included as part of my warranty? If not, how much does it cost? Does it affect my warranty if I don’t chose to do it? A preventive maintenance contract is a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual service to check your generator’s proper operation and readiness. It includes an oil change, operational and functional checks of all system components, testing, minor repairs/ adjustments, and recommendations for additional repairs and services if needed. Our typical preventive maintenance contract is for semi-annual service and costs between $300-500/year (for both visits). Preventive maintenance contracts are unrelated to nor included as part of your warranty. Warranty is offered by the manufacturer and remains valid regardless of your decision on a preventive maintenance contract. 14.
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