Generator Installation Services in Des Moines, IA

Standby Generator Installation

Standby generators are permanently installed outside the home, connected to the electrical system, and set to start automatically within seconds of a power outage -- a common consideration in Central Iowa given the region's severe thunderstorms and occasional winter ice storms. Installation includes generator placement, gas or propane line connection, and electrical hookup.

• Permanent outdoor installation with automatic startup
• Gas or propane line connection
• Electrical hookup to the home's power system

Transfer Switch Installation

A transfer switch is what safely isolates a home's electrical system from the utility grid when a generator is running, preventing dangerous backfeed onto power lines. This is a required component for both standby and larger portable generator setups, whether it's a manual switch or an automatic one paired with a standby system.

• Required safety component to prevent grid backfeed
• Manual or automatic switch options
• Sized to match the generator and home's electrical load

Keep in mind: A transfer switch is typically installed alongside a generator, not as a standalone service -- if you don't yet have a generator, standby or portable hookup installation is the starting point.

Portable Generator Hookup (Interlock/Inlet)

For homeowners using a portable generator rather than a permanent standby unit, an interlock kit and exterior power inlet allow the generator to safely feed the home's panel without running extension cords through windows or doors -- a safer and more convenient setup than an unmodified portable generator.

• Exterior power inlet installation
• Interlock kit to safely connect a portable generator to the panel
• More convenient and safer than extension-cord setups

Generator Sizing Consultation

Choosing the right generator size depends on whether you want to power just essential circuits (like the furnace, well pump, and refrigerator) or the entire home, including large appliances and HVAC. A consultation reviews your home's electrical load to recommend an appropriately sized unit.

• Reviews essential-circuit vs. whole-home power needs
• Recommends generator sizing based on actual electrical load
• Helps avoid an undersized or unnecessarily oversized unit