Wondering Where to Purchase a Standby Generator? We’ve got you covered!

It’s that time of year…EVERYTHING is on sale, including standby generators. It’s so easy to click and purchase just about anything your heart desires. Even large purchases come with free delivery and/or installation, very tempting and usually, there’s a sense of immediate gratification. However, there are a few things you might not be aware of such as power vs. your home, hooking up to the grid, code violations, maintenance and last but not least having it installed by a certified and trained technician to meet safety and warranty regulations.

Here are some things to consider before deciding where to purchase your standby generator:

  1. ONLINE RETAILER: When you purchase from an online retailer, you will need to know what size generator you need to power the items you wish to run in your home while meeting your local building code. After your generator is delivered, you will need to have it placed in a location that meets your local code and have a skilled electrician install your generator not only for safety reasons but also to satisfy the warranty.
  2. BIG BOX STORE: Another purchasing option is buying your generator at a big box store. Some big-box stores may have crews to install your generator for you and may even be able to send out a representative to your home to properly size a generator for your home. While this may sound great and easy, there are a few things you should watch for when having a big box store install your generator. Big box stores usually contract these and other large home projects out to other companies. In these situations, the big box store is simply a middleman you go through to get your installation done while the third party performs the work. This means it’s harder to vet the company performing the work, as it can be unclear who the contractor actually is because they may brand themselves as the big box store when communicating with you. If you choose to not to have a big box store’s contractor install your generator, you will need to find and hire a trained electrician to perform your generator installation.
  3. AUTHORIZED DEALER: The very best way to protect your home with a standby generator is to buy directly from an authorized dealer. By going directly to the source, you can properly vet who will be installing your generator and better determine if you wish to work with that company before getting started. Working with an authorized generator dealer also cuts out the middleman and ensures that you receive the best price for quality work. They are able to properly hook up to the grid, check and maintain code for safety and warranty regulations. Most companies are also bonded and guarantee their work. And many authorized dealers have generators and parts in stock and are equipped to sell, deliver, install, maintain, and repair a wide range of generators. This purchasing route definitely saves you time and hassle.

We at Starbrite Electric have been installing and maintaining standby generators for over 20 years. We have highly trained and certified technicians that can handle any job with ease and knowledge. Even if we didn’t install your generator, we can certainly perform the maintenance on it and make sure it’s up to code. We have many satisfied customers and are more than happy to provide references. Call us today for a free quote!