There are plenty of guides and suggestions for sizing generators available online, but the best and most accurate way to assess your need is with an in-home consultation, which you can get from companies like ours at no charge. Having someone on site will also be necessary for determining details relating to your electrical service, gas, installation site, regulations and more.

Generally speaking, people will get recommendations on generator sizes based on the square footage of their homes, but that’s less important than how many major appliances you have or how many people generally live in the home. A whole home generator system will ideally power everything that people are generally using in a day to day situation, so understanding your power consumption is important. 

Depending on the unit you get installed there are generally a few options for fuel. Most homeowners end up getting units that run on either Natural Gas or Propane. Whichever direction you choose to go with this will generally depend on what fuel source your home already has available. 

There are some brands and models that also can run diesel, however these are less common, and generally much larger and more expensive than their counterparts that run on LP or NG. These units also commonly have additional cooling mechanisms which add to the size of the unit. 

Yes! Nearly all home generator models have corresponding automatic transfer switches. These boxes are wired into your home electrical service and will automatically detect a power outage and switch your home over from the grid to the generator. 

When purchasing a Champion unit or working with a home contractor, you’ll want to make sure you’ve gotten something that includes the automatic transfer switch. If purchasing a unit directly you’ll want to make sure the package indicates that the transfer switch is included. 

Installation costs can vary pretty widely depending on the price of the actual unit, the materials required for installation, any additional electrical work and required labor.  Average estimates in our region are around $10,000 (all inclusive price) but can be as much as $15,000 depending on the circumstances, county and other potential factors. Champion units are pretty middling in terms of price, not the cheepest but thy're also no the most expensive. 

The best way to get a real and accurate price is by getting a few quotes directly from contractors in your area. Companies like ours will always offer free quotes and the Better Business Bureau recommends that homeowners get three quotes on home improvement projects before pulling the trigger on anything.  

The answer here can vary depending on the location of the generator, but it is generally in the neighborhood of a few hours. Rarely has an installation we’ve ever completed gone for longer than a single day.  During an install there will normally be a 1-2 hour window where the power will be shut off and the electrical work will be completed. 

Factors that could potentially extend the length of the installations include trenching, coordinating with a local gas company, panel upgrades and any additional electric work that may be required to pass an inspection. Even with longer jobs with additional tasks, installations rarely exceed a single day of work.

Nearly every manufacturer has basic warranty options, and speical deals available from Dealers. We're able to offer a 10 Year Limmited for brand new installations. 

Ask your field technicians about the specifics for these basic and extended warranties, since there are often cavaets and condtions required, as well as special deals that are sometimes available. 

Every manufacturer has their own specific and general instructions and guidance for maintenance and upkeep. A good example that applies to nearly every model is regular oil changes. Your generator is a small engine, and just like any other engine, it needs fuel, requires oil changes and should be inspected on occasion for any issues.

Other maintenance factors and points of consideration include battery checks, spark plug spacings and other general maintenance you might otherwise associate with an engine. Always check with your owners manual, installer and specific manufacturer guidelines when conducting maintenance on your home generator.