Generator Installation and Repair Services Durham, NC
When a storm takes the power out, a standby generator keeps your lights, fridge and AC running. Brian Electric installs and repairs generators in Durham and nearby towns. We size it to your home and handle all the electrical work.
- Licensed in North Carolina
- Generac, Kohler, Briggs & Stratton
- Permit and inspection handled
How It Works
What a Whole Home Standby Generator Does
A standby generator sits outside your home on a level base, like an AC unit. It is wired to your panel through a transfer switch and fed by your gas line or propane tank. As a licensed electrician in Durham, NC, we handle every part of the electrical work.
It Turns On by Itself
You do not need to be home. No cords, no pull start and no gas cans in the garage.
Starts on its own in seconds
It Runs on Natural Gas or Propane
It draws fuel from the same line or tank as your other gas appliances, so it can keep running through a long outage.
No gas cans to refill
We install Generac, Kohler, Briggs & Stratton and other major brands. Already bought a generator? We can install it. We also put in generators for small businesses.
During an outage
- Power goes outThe transfer switch senses the lost power.
- Generator startsIt starts on its own in a few seconds.
- Your home runsThe switch moves your circuits to the generator.
- Power comes backThe switch moves you back, and the generator cools down and shuts off.
Why It Matters
Why Durham Homes Need Backup Power
Storms, Ice and Fallen Trees
- Summer thunderstormsWind and lightning knock out lines, often in the late afternoon.
- Hurricane remnantsEven far inland, tropical storms bring days of wind and rain.
- Winter iceIce weighs down branches and lines until they snap.
- Fallen treesMany Durham streets have tall, old trees that take lines down when they fall.
Homes That Need Power the Most
A short outage is a nuisance. A long one can be a real problem if your home depends on any of these.
- Well pumpNo power means no water.
- Sump pumpKeeps a basement dry in heavy rain.
- Medical equipmentOxygen, CPAP and other devices.
- Home officeInternet, computers and calls.
- Food in the fridgeA long outage can spoil it all.
- Heat and coolingFor hot summers and cold snaps.
When the power comes back, it can come back with a spike. A whole home surge protector pairs well with a generator to guard your electronics.
Sizing
How Big a Generator Your Durham Home Needs
Too small, and it shuts down when the AC kicks on. Too big, and you paid for power you never use. We start with a load calculation: we look at your panel, your large appliances and what you want running in an outage.
Some older homes have a small or full panel. If yours does, a panel upgrade may need to come first, and we tell you that up front.
Safety
The Automatic Transfer Switch Keeps Everyone Safe
What the Switch Does
The transfer switch sits between the power lines, the generator and your panel. It lets your home take power from only one source at a time. When the power drops, it moves your circuits to the generator. When the power returns, it moves them back.
Why Backfeeding Is Dangerous
A generator hooked to a home without a transfer switch can send power back out onto the lines. That is called backfeeding. It can shock or kill a utility worker who thinks the line is dead, and it can damage the generator when the power returns.
Power lines feed your home. The generator waits.
The switch cuts off the lines, and the generator feeds your home.
Never plug a generator into a wall outlet. It backfeeds the lines and can start a fire in your wiring.
The Work
How We Install Generators in Durham, NC
Visit and Load Check
We look at your panel, your appliances and where the generator can go. You get a price before any work starts.
Pick the Spot
Generators need space from windows, doors, vents and the property line. We follow the maker and code rules, so exhaust stays out of your home.
Transfer Switch and Wiring
We mount the automatic transfer switch, run the wire from the generator and connect it to your panel.
Permit and Inspection
We pull the electrical permit and set up the inspection. You do not have to call the city or county.
Startup and Walkthrough
We test it with the power cut, then show you the controls, the status lights and the weekly test run.
Repairs
Generator Repair in Durham
The worst time to find a problem is during an outage. We fix the electrical side of standby generators, whatever the brand and whoever installed it.
Electrical Problems We Fix
- It will not startA weak battery, a failed battery charger or a loose connection.
- It runs but the house stays darkA transfer switch that will not move over, or a tripped breaker.
- An error code on the controllerWe read the code and the event log to find the fault.
- It does not switch backA switch or sensing fault keeps it running after the power returns.
- Damaged wiringChewed, wet or corroded wires at the generator or the switch.
Engine Problems
We work on the electrical side only. If we find the problem is in the engine, like oil, fuel or a worn part, we tell you, so you can call a generator mechanic. If you lost power and see sparks or smell burning, call our emergency electrician line.
Upkeep
Generator Maintenance That Keeps It Ready
A generator can sit unused for months. A yearly checkup makes sure it starts when you need it.
What Our Yearly Checkup Covers
- Battery test and clean terminals
- Battery charger check
- Transfer switch test with the power cut
- Wiring and connections tightened
- Controller settings and error log
- Weekly test run schedule
Oil, filters and spark plugs are engine work, which a generator mechanic handles.
What You Can Do Between Visits
- Listen for the weekly test run.
- Keep plants, leaves and snow away from the unit.
- Look at the status light now and then.
- Call us if a warning light or code shows up.
Service Area
Generator Installation in Durham and the Triangle
We are based in Durham and install and repair generators in homes all over the Triangle. Not sure if we come to your town? Call and ask.
Neighborhoods We Serve
View All Service AreasFAQ
Generator FAQs
Not sure what size generator your home needs? Call and tell us what you want to keep running, and we will tell you what comes next.
Call (984) 271-2113How much does a standby generator cost to install?
It depends on the size of the generator, how far it sits from your panel and gas line, and whether your panel needs work first. After a load check, you get a written price before any work starts.
Do I need a permit for a generator in Durham?
Yes, a standby generator needs an electrical permit and an inspection. We pull the permit and set up the inspection for you. The gas line has its own permit, which your gas pro handles.
Should I choose natural gas or propane?
If your home already has natural gas, that is usually the easy choice, since it never needs a refill. Propane works well for homes without gas service, but the tank has to be big enough for a long outage.
Can I plug a portable generator into a wall outlet?
No. It sends power back through your wiring and onto the lines. That can start a fire and can hurt utility workers. Always use extension cords plugged into the generator itself.
How close to my house can a generator go?
Each maker sets its own distance from windows, doors and vents, and local code adds rules too. We check both when we pick the spot, so exhaust stays away from your home.
Can you install a generator I already bought?
Yes. Tell us the brand and model when you call. We check that it is the right size for your home and plan the transfer switch and wiring around it.
Will a generator run my central AC?
It can, if the generator is sized for it. AC units pull a lot of power when they start. We include them in the load calculation, so the generator does not shut down when the AC kicks on.
Do you install generators for businesses?
Yes. We install generators for small businesses like offices, shops and restaurants, so you can stay open during an outage.