Generators

Generator installation in San Diego. Stay powered through outages.

PSPS shutoffs and storm outages are part of life in San Diego County now. Whole home generator installation turns the lights back on within seconds; a portable interlock kit lets you back-feed key circuits without an automatic transfer switch. We match you with vetted C-10 generator installers who do both the right way: permit pulled, transfer switch correctly installed, no back-feed risk. Looking for home generator installation near you? We connect you with local generator installers who cover your part of the county, usually on your project within the week.

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Whole-home standby generator installed beside a San Diego home with concrete pad and gas connection

What's included in this service?

Whole-home automatic standby generator installation (Generac, Kohler, Briggs)
Automatic transfer switch (ATS) selection and installation
Manual transfer switch and portable generator interlock kits
Generator sub-panel for prioritized critical loads
Natural gas, propane, and diesel fuel supply coordination
Concrete pad pour and generator anchoring
Permit, inspection, and SDG&E paperwork (when interconnected)
Annual generator service contracts (oil, filters, exercise testing)

Generators detail work by a licensed San Diego County electrician

When do you need this service?

You've been hit by PSPS shutoffs in fire-prone parts of the county
Medical equipment in the home that needs uninterrupted power
Working from home and a single outage costs you money
Refrigerated medications or expensive food in freezers
Well pump or sump pump that must keep running through outages
Detached structure (ADU, shop) you want kept powered separately

What do homeowners ask about Generator Installation?

Who handles whole home generator installation near me in San Diego County?

We connect you with vetted C-10 generator installers who handle whole home generator installation across San Diego County: the standby unit, automatic transfer switch, permit, and SDG&E paperwork. Home generator installation starts with a free in-home load assessment, then a two-to-four-day install. A local installer is usually on your project within the week.

How much does a whole-home generator cost in San Diego?

A 14kW–22kW Generac or Kohler whole-home standby with automatic transfer switch runs $9,000 to $22,000+ installed, depending on size, gas/propane supply work, and permit complexity. Smaller systems for partial-home coverage (8kW–10kW) start around $7,500. Free in-home assessment.

What's the difference between a standby generator and a portable interlock?

Standby is automatic. Power goes out, generator starts within 10 seconds, ATS transfers your house. Portable interlock is manual. You wheel out a portable generator, plug it into an exterior inlet, flip the interlock, and run priority circuits. Standby is more convenient and more expensive; interlock is budget-friendly and well-suited for occasional outages.

Do I need a permit for a generator install?

Yes for any standby generator, and yes for any interlock kit installed at the panel. We pull the permit, schedule the inspection, and meet the inspector. Working without a permit voids insurance and creates resale problems.

How long does the install take?

Portable interlock kits finish in a day. Whole-home standby installs run 2 to 4 days: pad pour and cure (or pre-cast pad), gas supply work, ATS install, generator set, commissioning, and inspection. We coordinate gas plumbing with your gas contractor or refer one.

Can the generator run my whole house, including AC?

Depends on size. A 14kW unit usually runs essentials plus one AC condenser; a 22kW unit handles two AC units plus most of the house. We size based on what you need running, not just total panel amperage. Soft-start kits on AC compressors let smaller generators handle larger loads.