Let’s be honest: Since the snowpocalypse of February 2021, whose browser history hasn’t included questions on backup generators? Between increased inclement weather and distrust in the Texas grid’s ability to keep properties powered, many homeowners are looking to augment their options for electricity.

“Over the last five years, home standby generator sales and installation has increased by 400 percent,” says Michael Summers, operations manager at Austin Generator Service. As the longest-standing standby generator service provider in the Austin area, the family-owned company has seen 45 years of power trends. “We’ve seen a spike in interest for all types of customers from all areas, rural and urban,” Summers notes.

So what exactly does a backup generator offer, and what’s the reality of installing one? We sat down with Summers to get all the details.

Can you outline the process for us?

“It’s simple, really! The process starts with a free in-home consultation with one of our team members. They will assess your backup power needs and send you a proposal for the turnkey project. Once you decide to move forward, our project coordination team handles everything, including any permits, inspections, etc.”

What’s the cost range and timeline like?

“There are a few factors that play into the cost of a home standby generator, and every home is different, which is why we start with an in-home consultation. Currently, a realistic cost for a turnkey installation starts at around $15,000.”

How long does installation take?

“The actual installation of your generator typically only takes two days.”

How long can a backup generator run at a time?

“Home standby generators run on either propane or natural gas. If yours runs on propane, your generator can run as long as you have fuel in your tank. If it runs on natural gas, you essentially have an endless supply of fuel for extended outages. During an extended power outage, the generator only needs to be shut down briefly for periodic maintenance (oil change). This differs between models, but the shortest maintenance interval is 100 hours or a little over four days. Some of the larger generators can go hundreds of hours before needing maintenance.”

How often does a backup generator need to be serviced?

“Generators should be serviced annually whether they reach their run hours or not. The number one cause of generator failure is lack of maintenance, which is why we offer maintenance agreements where we service your generator at pre-determined intervals. Our annual maintenance agreements include two visits a year: one check-up at the six-month mark and another at the end of the year to complete a full service.”

How far does a backup generator need to be placed from the home?

“Some can be as close as 18 inches to an exterior wall and others need to be three to feet away from the house. This is determined by the manufacturer’s recommendations as well as local and national code.”

Are there any extra benefits to having a backup generator?

“When people think about a backup generator, they probably imagine bad weather and having a generator to provide them with power during an outage while they’re at home.

But what if you’re on vacation? The generator will automatically come on and keep food from spoiling in the refrigerator and freezer or keep your pool equipment protected from freezing.

What if you are at work? It will keep the A/C on, so you don’t have to worry about your pets getting too hot. There are also plenty of instances where power goes out unrelated to weather, like a power pole going down from a car accident, or a transformer going out, causing an area-wide outage. A generator offers control and peace of mind that you simply won’t find with other products for your home.”

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