Generator Installation

Yes. A transfer switch is required by code in North Texas to safely connect a generator to your home’s electrical system. It prevents backfeeding into utility lines, which is dangerous for line workers and your equipment.

Add up the wattage of everything you want to run during an outage. Most North Texas homes need 5,000-7,500 watts for essentials like the refrigerator, lights, and a few outlets. If you want to run your AC, you’ll need 15,000 watts or more.

A portable generator can keep your essentials running during short outages. For extended events like the 2021 ice storm, a standby generator with an automatic transfer switch provides continuous, hands-off power without refueling every few hours.

Never do this. Backfeeding through an outlet is extremely dangerous and illegal. It can electrocute utility workers and damage your home’s wiring. A proper transfer switch or generator inlet box is required.

A manual transfer switch requires you to physically flip circuits over to generator power during an outage. An automatic transfer switch detects the power loss and switches over on its own within seconds, which is ideal if you’re away from home during an outage.

Standby generators typically run on natural gas. During an outage, expect to use $5-10 of natural gas per day depending on load. The bigger investment is the unit itself, which ranges from $5,000-$15,000 installed for whole-house coverage.

Yes, most cities in the DFW area require an electrical permit for transfer switch installation and generator hookup. Your electrician should pull this permit as part of the job.