What to Expect from Generac Certified Installers

Ensuring safe and compliant installation of your home backup generator is important, which is why Generac certified installers are indispensable. These professionals have the specialized training and knowledge to navigate the complexities of natural gas residential standby generators.

An overview of the facts and trends surrounding common troubleshooting issues encountered by these experts during the planning and installation phases is helpful. Contacting a Generac dealer or certified installer is the first step.

This initial consultation will give your technician an idea of the specific power requirements your home needs after carefully evaluating the installation location. Installers must identify potential hazards and obstructions to guarantee the safety and longevity of your generator.

This includes verifying that the generator will be positioned at a compliant distance from combustible materials, which is typically 5 feet for many units, or 3 feet for non-combustible materials. Maintaining a 5-foot clearance from any openings in a home’s walls, such as windows, doors, and vents, is also important to prevent inhalation of exhaust fumes.

The installer will also assess the terrain to make sure your mounting surface is level and stable. Sometimes this necessitates a concrete pad or a gravel base to provide adequate support and prevent the generator from sinking or shifting during operation. The pad’s size must be appropriate for the generator model.

Accessibility for future maintenance and servicing is another consideration, which requires sufficient clearance – typically 3-5 feet in front, 18 inches on the sides and back, and 5 feet above. Overlooking these factors during an initial site assessment can lead to problems later, including code violations, safety hazards, increased installation costs, and difficulties in performing maintenance.

Here’s what to expect, as well as how to get the most from an in-home assessment.

Generac Certified Installers Know Codes and Regulations

Before any physical installation begins, a code inspection conducted by Generac certified installers is important. This involves analyzing the exact installation location as it relates to local regulations.

Adherence to local codes is the key, as these can impose stricter requirements than manufacturer recommendations or national standards. Installers must be well-versed in these local ordinances, which can include specific setback distances from property lines. 

Noise ordinances also need to be considered, potentially requiring the generator to be placed a certain distance from neighboring properties or even necessitating the use of sound enclosures. Most jurisdictions demand obtaining permits for both the electrical and gas-pipe aspects of the installation. 

Homeowner Associations (HOAs) can also have their own set of regulations with respect to placement, appearance, and noise, often requiring homeowners to seek approval. Navigating this web of rules is a challenge, but thankfully technicians stay informed so they can make sure every installation complies, helping you avoid delays, fines, or the need for an expensive rework.

Accurately assessing any homeowner’s kilowatt power needs is usually front and center. Your installation expert will complete an electrical load analysis, where the installer identifies all essential appliances and systems that a homeowner wants powered during an outage. 

The total wattage required by these items, including the higher starting wattage for motor-driven appliances, must be calculated to determine your minimum generator size. Generac provides tools like the PowerPlay app to help you. 

This is how installers guide homeowners through the entire process to avoid the pitfalls of under-sizing your generator, which could lead to an overload or inability to power essential loads. It can also lead to oversizing, resulting in higher initial costs and potentially inefficient fuel consumption.

When considering smaller generators, load-shedding modules are usually available to automatically manage power to high-demand appliances.

Planning for Gas Lines and Electrical Wiring

Planning for the natural gas line connection from your meter to the standby generator is a task Generac certified installers are experienced in completing. They must take into account the distance to guarantee adequate gas pressure and flow for your generator’s British Thermal Unit, or BTU, requirements. Locating the generator closer to a gas meter usually minimizes installation expenses due to shorter piping runs. 

Similarly, planning the electrical wiring path to your home’s electrical panel and determining the optimal location for the automatic transfer switch (ATS) are the key to minimizing wire lengths and making sure your system functions properly. Installers will assess the existing electrical infrastructure to determine if upgrades are needed for safely accommodating the backup generator. 

Careful planning of these connections can impact the efficiency and cost of your installation. Proper sizing of your natural gas line is one of the most important factors so your generator can reliably run.

This sizing depends on the generator’s maximum BTU consumption, which can be found in its specifications. You’ll also find the length of the gas pipe run from your home’s natural gas meter to the generator.

Generac provides sizing charts in its installation manuals, which your installer will consult. Undersized gas lines can be a cause of problems, leading to fuel starvation, especially when the generator is under a heavy electrical load. The unit can fail to start or run the right way, or even shut down unexpectedly.

This isn’t the only gas line connection issue to be aware of.

Other Gas Installation Issues for Generac Certified Installers

Generac certified installers will tell you it’s critical to run a dedicated natural gas line directly from your home’s gas meter to the backup generator. Tapping into existing gas lines for other appliances, such as water heaters or furnaces, can lead to insufficient gas flow and pressure, potentially impacting the operation of both your generator and other appliances.

The typical required natural gas pressure for Generac home standby generators ranges from 3.5 to 7 inches of water column (WC). This is a common measurement for low-pressure gas and propane.

Additionally, gas pressure regulators play a major role in making sure natural gas is within the required pressure range. Issues can arise from using an incorrect type or size of regulator, installing it too close to the generator (a distance of 8-10 feet is often recommended), or experiencing a failure of the regulator. A flexible fuel line is typically used for the final connection between the rigid gas piping and your generator to absorb vibrations during operation.

After all gas line connections are made, it’s important to perform a leak test. Your installer will use a gas leak detector or a soap-and-water solution to ensure there are no leaks in the system.

Technicians are accomplished in troubleshooting gas line problems. An understanding of gas codes, proper sizing techniques, and the importance of correct pressure regulation are the key to avoid these issues. Installers will verify your home’s gas pressure at the generator’s inlet using a manometer during different operating conditions.

Here’s a helpful comparison table:

Your ATS, Electrical Wiring, and Voltage Control

Generac certified installers know that your automatic transfer switch (ATS) is a vital connector between utility power and generator power. Correct electrical wiring between the generator, ATS, and your home’s electrical panel is essential.

This includes bringing together high-voltage power cables and low-voltage control wires. Incorrectly connecting low-voltage control wires is a common mistake by do-it-yourself homeowners that can prevent the ATS from functioning properly or even damage your generator’s controller.

For example, with miswiring, your ATS might not transfer power or trip instantly. Using different colored wires, per the installation manual, can help minimize these errors.

Your technician will also make sure there is compatibility between the generator and your transfer switch. Older transfer switches may require an additional control wire for newer generators that have a connected battery.

“The ATS detects power outages and switches the power source from the grid to the generator automatically,” states Vocal Media Education. “The technician will also connect the generator to a natural gas or propane line, depending on your home’s available fuel supply.”

Other electrical wiring issues include:

• Grounding. Proper grounding of the generator to your home’s electrical grounding system is crucial for adherence to electrical codes. This typically involves connecting a grounding conductor from the generator’s grounding lug to the main grounding part in the home’s electrical panel, or to a dedicated ground rod depending on local requirements and whether the generator is considered a separate system.
• Wiring. Electrical wiring demands precision and strict adherence to electrical codes. Errors in connecting the ATS or grounding the system can have severe safety implications and lead to repairs. Your installer will double-check wiring diagrams to make sure connections are secure and correctly landed.

Remember: improper grounding or wiring can create dangerous electrical shock hazards.

Placement Considerations and Generac Certified Installers

Clearance around your generator is important for proper ventilation, preventing overheating, and allowing access for maintenance, according to Generac certified installers. This includes maintaining the specified distances from the house, windows, doors, vents, combustible materials, and any potential obstructions like trees or shrubs.

Insufficient clearance can lead to overheating and fire hazards. Nonetheless, additional generator placement considerations include:

• Accessibility and mounting. The generator should be placed on a level surface to minimize vibrations and ensure proper operation. Adequate space must be provided for technicians to perform routine maintenance and repairs.
• Noise and exhaust. Consideration of noise levels and the direction of exhaust are also important, especially in residential areas with neighbors. Positioning the generator further away from the house and directing the exhaust away from windows, doors, and air intakes can help mitigate these issues.
• Environmental impacts. Proper generator placement is important for safety, optimal performance, and neighborly relationships. Installers must consider clearance requirements, accessibility needs, and environmental impacts during the site assessment and installation phases.

“Generac does not recommend installing a generator near any operable windows, doors, vents, window wells, or openings in the wall are permitted near any point of the generator,” states Generac Support. “Compliance with generator placement regulations may differ depending on your location.”

Technical Difficulties that Experts Are Equipped to Handle

A recurring theme reported by some Generac certified installers include issues related to natural gas pressure. Sometimes, installers report problems with both low and high gas pressure, often tracing these back to the utility’s gas meter, the generator’s pressure regulator, or the sizing of the gas supply lines. 

Another area of difficulty is the automatic transfer switch. Experts have shared experiences of a generator starting correctly during a power outage, but the ATS fails to transfer power to the house. This can be a problem of low-voltage control wiring between the generator and your switch.

Initial start-up problems can also include issues like over-crank errors and difficulties with fuel delivery. Battery failures and charging problems are also a theme, highlighting the importance of proper maintenance. You don’t want a premature failure when you need your home backup generator to work. 

Less frequently reported are generator placement challenges and code violations, such as insufficient clearances. However, there’s nothing new under the sun.

“Standby generators automatically activate when the electricity goes out, making sure your essential appliances and systems keep running without skipping a beat,” according to This Old House. “However, the installation process is complex, so it’s important to follow the steps carefully and work with a licensed electrician.”

Your One Defense: Generac Certified Installers

A standby generator serves as the ultimate home defense against power outages, which makes Generac certified installers the guardians of this electrical magic.

“A standby generator serves as the ultimate home defense against power outages, a vigilant guardian that instantly activates to restore power, ensuring uninterrupted comfort and security,” states Ecomfort. “A home standby generator is wired directly into your home’s main electrical panel through an automatic transfer switch. This gives it the power to automatically run everything in your house without you having to lift a finger.”

It adds: “Of course, a home standby generator will only power as much as its wattage output allows, which ranges from 6,000 to 150,000 watts depending on the model. Some come with load shedding, which means they’ll turn off one appliance temporarily if another, more important one (like an air conditioner) needs the power immediately. With a standby generator standing sentinel outside your home, fighting a power outage will be a piece of cake.”

W. Danley Electrical

W. Danley Electrical is a champion in the world of Generac certified installers, helping you execute the backup standby generator process from beginning to end. We prepare you for your installation, as well as obtaining permits, inspections, and assisting with repair and maintenance.

We also help you optimize and fine-tune your situation to determine the correct generator size. Get the most out of your investment. Contact us today.