Western Washington has a reputation for mild weather, but it also has some of the highest power outage rates of any major metro area in the continental United States. Windstorms off the Pacific, ice events in the Cascades, and an aging grid infrastructure all contribute to outages that can last hours or days. A standby generator is the most reliable solution — and more accessible than most homeowners realize.
Portable vs. Standby: What's the Difference?
Portable generators are the units you see at hardware stores. They run on gasoline, need to be manually started, require extension cords to connect to your home, and must be operated outside due to carbon monoxide risk. They're useful in a pinch but come with significant limitations.
Standby generators are permanently installed outside your home, connected to your natural gas or propane line, and wired directly into your electrical panel through a transfer switch. When the power goes out, the generator detects the outage and starts automatically — typically within 10–30 seconds. No action required from you.
The key difference: A portable generator requires you to be home, functioning, and able to set it up. A standby generator works whether you're asleep, at work, or away on vacation.
Why Puget Sound Homeowners Are Installing Generators
The reasons vary by household, but here are the most common ones we hear:
- Medical equipment — CPAP machines, oxygen concentrators, refrigerated insulin, power wheelchairs
- Home office — remote workers who can't afford unplanned downtime
- Young children or elderly family members in the home
- Properties that have experienced multiple multi-day outages
- Homes with sump pumps in areas prone to flooding during storm events
- Investment properties or vacation homes where no one is present during an outage
What Size Generator Do You Need?
Generator sizing depends on what you want to power during an outage. There's a big difference between keeping the lights on and keeping your whole home running normally.
Essential Coverage (10–14kW)
Powers lighting, refrigerator, select outlets, a furnace or heat pump (depending on type), and one or two other circuits. Enough to stay comfortable and safe.
Whole-Home Coverage (18–24kW+)
Powers everything in your home simultaneously, including central air conditioning, electric range, EV charger, and all appliances. You won't notice the power is out.
We perform a full load calculation for every generator installation to make sure the unit is sized correctly for your home and your priorities.
What the Installation Process Involves
- Site assessment and load calculation
- Generator pad placement (concrete or composite)
- Coordination with your gas utility for service extension if needed
- Transfer switch installation at your electrical panel
- Full electrical connection and testing under load
- City permit and inspection — handled by us
- Walkthrough so you understand how to operate and maintain the unit
Most whole-home generator installations are completed in one to two days. The permit process adds a small amount of time but ensures the installation is fully code-compliant and insurable.
⚠ Don't skip the transfer switch: Connecting a generator directly to your home's wiring without a proper transfer switch creates a condition called backfeeding — which sends electricity back into the utility lines and can electrocute lineworkers restoring power. A proper transfer switch is required by code and protects everyone.