Generator installation in Portland, OR
Reliable backup power for Pacific Northwest storms. We size, install, and permit standby and portable generator systems so your heat, refrigeration, and essential circuits keep running when the grid goes down.
MBE Certified · ESB Certified · Licensed & Insured
Oregon CCB #2271164.7★ · 66+ Google reviews
Why Portland homes need backup power
East-wind ice storms, Doug firs on power lines, a grid that gets tested every winter: Portland loses power in ways sunnier cities don't. When it happens, you lose heat, the fridge, the sump pump, and the home office in the same minute. A properly installed backup generator picks all of that up automatically, and does it without endangering the utility crews working the lines.
Portable vs. standby generators
Portable generators are smaller units that connect through a generator inlet and transfer switch. They are more affordable but must be started manually during an outage. Standby generators are permanently installed outside the home, start automatically when power is lost, connect to your panel through an automatic transfer switch, and typically run on natural gas or propane.
The heart of any safe generator install is the transfer switch, which isolates your home from the utility grid so power cannot backfeed onto the lines and endanger utility crews. We size the generator and transfer switch to your home's actual load, powering the circuits that matter most: heat, refrigeration, sump pumps, and medical equipment.
Our generator installation process
We start with an electrical evaluation of your home and a load calculation to size the generator correctly, then help you select equipment. We install the transfer switch and electrical connections, coordinate the fuel connection for natural gas or propane systems, and handle the permit and inspection.
- Electrical evaluation and load calculation to size the unit
- Equipment selection matched to your budget and priorities
- Transfer switch and electrical connection wired to code
- Fuel coordination for natural gas or propane
- Permit pulled and inspection handled
Typical generator installation costs
Portable generator inlet installations typically range from $800 to $2,500 depending on complexity. Whole-home standby generator installations typically range from $8,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on generator size, any electrical upgrades required, and fuel connections. If your existing service cannot support the load, we may recommend a panel upgrade as part of the project. We will assess your panel and priorities during a free in-home quote and recommend the option that fits your budget.
Frequently asked questions
What size generator do I need for my home?
It depends on which circuits you want to keep running. A standby unit can power your whole home or just the essentials like heat, refrigeration, and sump pumps. We run a load calculation on your actual usage and size the generator and transfer switch to match, so you are not paying for capacity you will not use.
What is a transfer switch and why does it matter?
The transfer switch isolates your home from the utility grid when the generator runs, so power cannot backfeed onto the lines and endanger utility crews. It is the single most important safety component of a generator install, and it is required. We size and wire it to your home's load.
How much does generator installation cost in Portland?
Portable generator inlet installations typically range from $800 to $2,500. Whole-home standby generator installations typically range from $8,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on generator size, electrical upgrades, and fuel connections. We provide a clear quote after a free in-home assessment.
Should I get a portable or a standby generator?
A portable unit with a manual transfer setup is more affordable but has to be started by hand during an outage. A standby generator is permanently installed and starts automatically. We assess your panel, priorities, and budget during a free quote and recommend the option that fits.
Do you handle the permit and fuel connection?
Yes. We pull the electrical permit, schedule the inspection, and coordinate the natural gas or propane fuel connection with your supplier as needed, so the installation is documented and code-compliant.
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