What Do You Want To Power? 

The first thing you want to consider is what do you want to use the generator to power. If you want a generator to take to barbeques and outdoor events, you are likely looking for a gas powered, portable generator. In this article, we are going to focus on whole home standby generators. If you are seeking a generator that will keep your home’s power up and running during an outage, a standby generator is your best option. 

What Size Generator Do You Need? 

Now that you’ve thought about what you want to power, you are going to have to dive a little deeper. For example, if you wanted to power your entire home and all of your appliances, you’d need to calculate the wattage used to power each one, and add them up to see how much electricity you need to keep the space powered. 

Now, rather than going around to every appliance in the house and seeing what each one requires in the ways of electricity, you can use a wattage worksheet or a calculator. What’s even easier, you can schedule a free estimate and have a professional evaluate your home, then recommend the right sized generator for your needs. 

We’ve installed thousands of generators in our 15 years in business, and have a pretty good idea of what needs to be done to keep a home powered. We can help you evaluate your situation, then choose the RIGHT generator that is going to keep your home powered during an outage. 

Automatic Transfer Switch 

For some generators, you may need a transfer switch that you slip to go from your home’s power gird, to using the generator. But, for most whole home (standby) generators, there is an automatic transfer switch installed to take you from your utility power to generator power seamlessly when an outage occurs. This is one of the biggest advantages of a standby generator. You don’t have to go outside in bad weather, flip switches, or manually start anything. The system constantly monitors your home’s electrical supply, and the moment it detects an interruption, it automatically kicks on and restores power within seconds. When utility power returns, the system safely switches everything back and shuts the generator down.

Fuel Type Considerations

Another important factor to think about is what type of fuel your generator will use. Most whole home standby generators run on either natural gas or propane. Natural gas is often the most convenient option if your home is already connected to a gas line, as it provides a continuous fuel supply without needing refills. Propane, on the other hand, is a great alternative for homes without natural gas access, though it does require a storage tank and occasional refueling.

Each fuel type has its pros and cons, and the best choice often depends on your home’s setup, availability of fuel in your area, and personal preference. During your estimate, our team can walk you through these options and help you decide what makes the most sense for your situation.

Installation Process

Installing a standby generator is not a DIY project. It involves electrical work, fuel connections, and compliance with local codes and regulations. When you work with Complete Comfort, we handle the entire process from start to finish. That includes evaluating your property, helping you choose the right generator, securing any necessary permits, preparing the installation site, and completing all electrical and fuel connections.

We also make sure your system is tested thoroughly before we consider the job complete. Our goal is to ensure that when the next outage happens, your generator performs exactly as expected without any surprises.

Maintenance and Service

Like any major piece of equipment, your generator requires regular maintenance to stay in top working condition. Routine service typically includes oil changes, filter replacements, battery checks, and system inspections. Staying on top of maintenance not only extends the life of your generator, but also ensures it will work when you need it most.

We offer maintenance plans to make this easy and stress-free. Our technicians will keep track of your service schedule and make sure your system is always ready to go, especially before storm season hits.

Why Work With Complete Comfort

Choosing the right generator is only part of the solution to power outages. Working with an experienced, reliable team makes all the difference. With over 15 years of experience serving Chilhowie and the surrounding areas(including parts of Tennessee!), we understand the unique challenges that local homeowners face when it comes to power outages.

We pride ourselves on honest recommendations, quality installations, and dependable service. From your first call to the final walkthrough, our team is here to make the process simple and straightforward.

If you’re considering a generator for your home or business, now is the perfect time to get it installed. Give Complete Comfort a call at (276) 690-9222 or reach out to us online to schedule your free estimate. We’ll help you find the right backup power solution so you’re never left in the dark.