What Happens During A Professional Generator Hookup Service? | Myrtle Beach, SC
Getting a generator for your Myrtle Beach, SC home is possibly one of the best ways to keep your family safe and comfortable at times when your power might fail. A generator can be a life-saving appliance during a hurricane, and at any other time when the impact of the weather can create a major outage. So, now that you’ve decided to get a generator for your home, you are probably wondering what happens during a professional generator hookup service in Myrtle Beach, SC. The one thing we can tell you right now is that there’s more to a generator hookup service than driving the generator to your home and connecting it to your electrical system. In this article, we will cover everything you can expect from a professional generator hookup service to ensure your generator works at its peak performance whenever you find yourself needing it. Let’s take a look.
Choosing the Right Size for Your Needs
Selecting the right generator for your needs largely depends on how many appliances you want to power in case of an outage. Your generator hookup service contractor will discuss this with you in order to recommend the most viable option available. It is important to take into account which are the most necessary appliances you would need during a power outage. For example, your refrigerator and television would be more necessary than your electric air fryer or toaster. Additionally, if you have anybody at home that requires medical equipment in order to maintain their health, these items should be at the top of your list. So, take some time to determine the order of importance of the appliances you have at home and would need during a blackout.
Finding the Right Spot for Installation
Before placing your new generator just anywhere, your contractor must verify with local codes and regulations what is allowed. Additionally, not every possible spot in your house or business is a good fit for generator hookup service. Generally speaking, the area should be well-ventilated and outdoors. There shouldn’t be any potentially dangerous objects or structures nearby that could cause damage to your new generator, and it should be protected from the impact of vehicles and falling trees or branches.
Getting the Right Permits
Installing a generator will require state or local permits. So, always make sure you ask your generator hookup service contractor whether they will perform the necessary paperwork to secure the correct permits, or it is something you have to do on your own. In most cases, a good generator hookup service contractor will have all the documents ready prior to installing your generator, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Preparing the Pad on Which the Unit Will Be Placed
A generator can’t just be set up on the grass in your yard. It will require placement on a concrete or gravel pad that is perfectly level and resistant to any number of conditions. This pad should already be in place prior to the arrival of the technicians who will be hooking up your new generator, so make sure you ask your contractor if this is included in your service contract or you should find somebody to do it prior to your installation appointment. In many cases, when the building of the generator pad is not included in the package, your installer will be happy to provide a couple of referrals for general contractors they’ve worked with before.
Placement of the Unit on the Pad
The day has finally arrived and everything is ready for the installation of your new generator! Upon arrival, the installation techs will inspect the place in which your generator will be placed, and check if the pad is level and stable. They may talk to you about your generator and what you can expect to happen over the next few hours, and go over any paperwork they will give you. Once that has been done, they will place the generator on the pad, taking care to maintain its stability, check if it’s level, and then they will secure it in its final position.
Connection of the Fuel Line
Generators require some type of fuel to work efficiently. Generally speaking, this fuel can be either natural gas or propane. Once the generator has been fixed in its final location, a plumber will get to work setting up the connection of the fuel line to the generator. The plumber will set up all the pipes and tubes necessary to connect your new generator to the fuel source. When they are done, they will verify the connection points are correctly installed to prevent any leaks.
Connecting the Transfer Switch and Your Home’s Electrical System
The transfer switch is the heart of your new generator. Without it, the generator would not go on automatically when your home’s power goes out. Depending on the size and type of transfer switch you have selected for your generator, it can be installed before or after your home’s main electrical panel. Once it has been properly installed, the electrician will connect the generator to your home’s electrical system. At this point, the most important aspects of the hookup service will be finished, and your generator will be ready for use.
Final Inspection
The most exciting part of a generator installation service is the final inspection. This is when the installation team leader will turn it on to verify that everything is working properly and it is supplying power to your home. All connections and other parts of the generator will be verified, and the installers will go over its operation and warranty with you. It is a great time to ask any questions you may have, so you don’t have to call them at a later date when you are in the middle of an outage.
At Mister Sparky Generators we understand how important a professional generator hookup service in your Myrtle Beach, SC home can be for the safety and well-being of your family during a power outage. Because of this, whenever you require the most experienced and knowledgeable generator hookup service professionals, we urge you to pick up your phone and give Mister Sparky Generators a call for help.
See our previous blog post here!