Home Generator and Backup Power Installation
Keep the lights, fridge and AC running when the power goes out, with a generator hookup done safely and to code.
Licensed: TECL #26090 Serving Dallas since 2007
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Storms, ice and grid emergencies can leave Dallas homes without power for hours or days. A properly installed generator keeps your essentials running, and the electrical connection is the part that has to be done right: a generator tied into a home without a transfer switch can backfeed the utility lines and put line workers and your equipment at risk.
Valencia Electric handles the electrical side of home backup power, from sizing the circuits you want to keep on to the transfer switch and final inspection.
Backup power options
- Whole-home standby generators – a permanent generator outside the house with an automatic transfer switch. When the power goes out, it starts on its own and switches your home over in seconds.
- Partial-home standby – a smaller standby generator that powers only the circuits you choose, such as the refrigerator, lights, outlets and HVAC.
- Portable generator hookups – a weatherproof generator inlet outside and a transfer switch or panel interlock, so you can safely run selected circuits from a portable generator without extension cords.
What the electrical installation includes
- Load review to decide which circuits should stay on during an outage
- Automatic or manual transfer switch installation
- Generator inlet and interlock kits for portable generators
- Wiring between the generator, transfer switch and your electrical panel
- Panel upgrades when the existing panel can’t support a transfer switch
- Permits and inspection
If your standby generator runs on natural gas, the gas line is run by a licensed plumber. Contact us to talk through the right backup power setup for your home.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just plug my portable generator into a wall outlet?
No. Backfeeding a house through an outlet is dangerous: it can energize the utility lines, injure line workers and damage your equipment. A generator inlet with a transfer switch or panel interlock is the safe way to connect a portable generator.
What is a transfer switch?
A transfer switch disconnects your home from the utility before it connects the generator, so power can only flow one way. An automatic transfer switch does this on its own when the power goes out; a manual one is switched by hand.
Do I need a whole-home generator?
Not always. Many homeowners only need the refrigerator, some lights and outlets, and the HVAC or a few rooms to stay on. We can review your loads and recommend a whole-home or partial setup.
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