Adding a standby generator to your home can be a real lifesaver if the electricity goes out. Within a few seconds, the generator takes over and can provide full or partial power to the entire house. Save on costs and installation time by installing the generator during the right stage of construction.
Homeowners should ideally install standby generators during construction on their custom builds, not after. Installing the generator during construction gives you more control over its placement, ensuring it is conveniently located and easy to access. When you add a generator during construction, you can rely on it immediately in case of a power outage.
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Why Should You Add a Generator During a Custom Home Build?
Save money and time by adding a standby generator to your custom home during the initial construction stages, in case of future power outages. While you can add a generator later on, it’ll be a much larger, more expensive job.
Easier Installation
Installing a standby generator is easiest during construction. You can install the outdoor concrete pad and transfer switch, and connect the fuel lines in tandem with other construction work, simplifying the installation. If you wait after construction, you might have to run a new fuel line, an unnecessary cost you could have avoided by installing the generator earlier.
Optimal Placement
Building a house from the ground up gives you much more control over the orientation of the home and the property in general. Factor the standby generator into the design of your custom home, with optimal placement that doesn’t interfere with your landscaping or curb appeal, but that does comply with any local safety regulations. If you wait until after construction to add a standby generator, you may have far fewer placement options.
Cost Efficiency
Adding a standby generator to your custom build during construction is more cost-effective, too. Save on labor, materials, and wiring costs by tackling these tasks before drywall, flooring, and other finishes are installed. Try installing the generator later, and you might spend more on running lines and on repairing any walls or landscaping affected by the addition.
Immediate Access
By installing a generator while you build the rest of your custom home, you get immediate access in case there is a power outage soon after you move in. Standby generators automatically take over within seconds of a power outage, providing electricity to the home. Standby generators can power entire homes or specific circuits, improving energy efficiency and reducing costs.
How Can You Add a Generator During a Custom Build?
Installing a generator is an intricate process, one that requires a good understanding of electrical and gas work. Only trust experienced contractors for generator installation to ensure it works properly from the get-go.
Installing a standby generator also requires installing a transfer mechanism. We can install the transfer switch right next to the home’s main breaker panel. Choose an automatic transfer switch so the standby generator takes over without you having to do anything if your home loses power.
Generators are fire risks, so there are strict rules dictating how far they must be from homes and flammable materials. You can’t add a generator until you show where you plan to install it, that the location complies with local regulations, and that you have the necessary permits.
FAQs About Adding a Generator to Your Custom Home
Why Do Homeowners Add Generators to Their Custom Builds?
Homeowners add standby generators to custom builds to ensure an automatic, reliable power source during power outages in their area.
Can Adding a Generator to Your Custom Build Have a Good ROI?
Adding a generator to your custom build can have a good return on investment, since it is a functional, sought-after feature that is especially popular in areas with severe weather and storms, like South Carolina during hurricane season.
Does Adding a Generator to Your Custom Build Cost More?
Adding a generator to your custom build might cost more initially, but it could save you hundreds of dollars when the electricity goes out, and your fridge needs a backup generator to stay cold. It also enhances your comfort during power loss, keeping the house at a comfortable temperature.
Can You Add a Generator to Your Custom Build After Construction?
You can add a standby generator to your custom build after construction, but it may be a much more expensive and involved process than doing so during construction. If you’re already planning a custom build, it makes the most sense to incorporate a generator into your plans from the get-go.
Do You Need a Special Permit to Add a Generator to Your Custom Build?
When adding a generator to a custom build, you need an electrical permit to connect the generator to your home’s system, and you may need a mechanical permit to run gas lines. Our builders get permits for homeowners, so they don’t have to.
What Size of Generator Should You Add During a Custom Build?
Homeowners should choose standby generators capable of powering their entire homes during power outages. The size of your home dictates the appropriate wattage, and we can help you make the right decision for maximum comfort if you lose power.
Where Should You Put the Generator During a Custom Build?
Standby generators should be placed far enough from flammable materials to reduce the risk of fire and to comply with safety clearances. Generators should always be outside, and, especially in areas with a high flood risk, be elevated on a concrete pad to avoid water damage.
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