Generac offers a free, in-home consultation service to help you choose the right Generac standby generator for your home.

To prepare for the consultation:

  • Make sure all the decision makers in the home are present for the consultation visit.
  • Consider the reasons you want a standby generator.
  • Make a list of appliances and electrical loads you would like the generator to back up.
  • Think about where you would like to locate the generator in your yard.
  • Check to see if there are any neighborhood homeowner association or community restrictions on where to locate a generator.
  • Clear the area around the gas meter or propane tank, outside electrical service panel, and the location you would like the generator in order to provide easy access for the assessment.

During the consultation visit, the Generac dealer will assess your situation and calculate the total electrical load to determine the size generator you’ll need.

The Generac dealer will then provide:

  • Professional site survey.
  • Local permitting requirements.
  • Outline of the installation process.
  • A proposal which includes good, better, and best generator options; as well as accessory offerings and maintenance plan information.

Watch the video above to find out more.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Danny Lipford: If you are considering an automatic standby generator system for your home, you’ll want a licensed dealer to provide an in-home assessment to determine which generator is right for you.

It makes it a lot easier than you think, and Generac provides this service for free. It’ll save you a lot of time and a lot of money.

Authorized Generac dealers are experts in helping customers select the right home backup generator system. To ensure that you get the most from your in-home assessment, follow these tips.

First, make sure both decision makers are present. This can be a big purchase, and you want everyone involved to know all the facts.

Be ready to explain why you want a generator, and make a list of the appliances and electrical loads you would like to back up. Generac offers an online Generator Sizing Calculator that can help you determine your standby power needs and prepare you for the assessment.

Think about where you would like to locate the generator. Standby generators must be installed outdoors, 18 inches from your home and must be a safe distance from doors, windows, and fresh air intakes. Keep in mind homeowners association and local community restrictions when locating your generator.

Clear the area around your gas meter or liquid propane tank, your service panel, and the location where the generator will be installed. This makes it easy for the inspector to reach these spots.

The Generac dealer will assess your electrical needs. He or she will walk around the home with you and discuss which electrical loads you would like to be backed up, your budget, and the best location for the generator and transfer switch.

Once you’ve identified the loads to be backed up, the dealer will calculate the total load to determine what size generator you’ll need. A system that is too small won’t power all of your appliances. And there’s no sense paying for a system that’s bigger than you really need.

Generac’s Power Play app makes the assessment even easier. Using this interactive tool on an iPad, the dealer can use custom videos and materials to answer many of your questions.

The PowerOn Experience within Power Play is a simple graphical way for homeowners to see how various appliances in their home affect the size generator they’ll need. With Power Play’s Sizer, your dealer will use specific measurements and lists of items to be backed up to calculate the required generator size for your home.

The dealer will provide a professional site survey and talk to you about local permitting requirements. He also will outline the installation process and talk to you about the first steps should you decide to go forward.

The proposal from your dealer will include good/better/best options, accessory offerings, and maintenance plan information.

Ask a lot questions and make sure you understand every aspect of the proposal. Don’t be afraid to discuss payment and financing options with the dealer while he’s there.

The whole process should take about an hour, so allow yourself enough time to get all the information you need.

If you’re in the market for a standby home generator, take advantage of the opportunity to get a free, in-home assessment. This simple procedure makes it easy to find the right generator for your home, And you’ll save a little money along the way.


Editorial Contributors
avatar for Danny Lipford

Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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