How a Home Standby Generator Works (And Why It’s Different from a Portable One)

If you're considering a home standby generator, you're probably wondering what to expect in terms of cost. At McCay Southern Generators, we specialize in turnkey installations of Generac home standby generators , and we want to help you understand what goes into the process—and what you’re paying for. Average Cost in East Tennessee The cost of a complete Generac installation can vary depending on several factors, including the size of the generator and the specifics of your home. In East Tennessee, customers can generally expect a total installation cost to range between $13,500 and $17,000 , with the average installation falling around $14,500 . To make your investment more manageable, we offer financing through Synchrony Financial , with monthly payments starting around $165/month , depending on credit approval and final installation cost.  What’s Included in a Complete Installation? At McCay Southern, a "complete installation" means we take care of everything needed to ensure your generator is fully operational and ready to power your home during an outage. Here's what's included: Generator placement on a concrete pad or aluminum stand Electrical connection to the Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) Fuel line connection to your existing propane or natural gas supply 4G remote monitoring device for 24/7 system status updates Installation of Smart Management Modules (SMMs) on designated appliances Electrical inspection to ensure everything meets code Full power outage simulation test to confirm system readiness Materials & Coordination Involved Installing a generator is more than just placing a unit in your yard. Here are the key materials and steps involved: Required Materials: Generac generator Automatic Transfer Switch Generator battery 4G monitoring module Generator base (concrete pad or stand) Required Coordination: Scheduling electrical disconnects with your local utility Coordinating with your gas company (if using natural gas) to assess or upgrade the gas meter Pulling all necessary permits Filing warranty paperwork with Generac We handle all of these steps on your behalf, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free installation process. Not all Generac dealers provide this level of service— but we do . What Can Affect the Cost? The total cost of your installation may vary based on several site-specific and system-related factors, such as: Size of the generator required for your home’s energy needs Location and accessibility of the installation site Distance from the generator to the fuel source and utility meter Number of Smart Management Modules needed Type of fuel used (natural gas vs. propane) We're Here to Help A whole-home standby generator is a major investment—but one that brings peace of mind and long-term value. At McCay Southern Generators, we're committed to guiding you through the process from start to finish with honesty, professionalism, and care. If you'd like a personalized estimate or have questions about the installation process, please don’t hesitate to call or email us at (423) 455-5336 or office@mccaysouthern.com . We’re here to help ensure your home stays powered, no matter what.

Experiencing a power outage can be stressful, but knowing the right steps to report it can help restore service more quickly. Here’s a concise guide on what to do when you find yourself without power: 1. Check Your Surroundings Before reporting the outage, determine if the problem is isolated to your home or is affecting a wider area. Check if your neighbors have also lost power. If it's just your property, inspect your circuit breakers or fuses for any tripped switches or blown fuses. 2. Gather Information When preparing to report the outage, collect essential information such as the time the power went out, any unusual occurrences (like loud noises or flickering lights), and your account number or a recent utility bill for verification. 3. Contact Your Utility Company Utilities often provide multiple ways to report outages. You can call their customer service hotline, often specified on your bill or company website. Many companies also offer online reporting through their websites or mobile apps, which can be quicker and more convenient. East Tennessee Power Companies Volunteer Energy Co-op (VEC) https://vec.org/outage-central/reportingan-outage/ EPB https://epb.com/sign-in/?dest=/outage-and-storm-center/energyoutages/report-outage/ Cleveland Utilities (CU) https://www.clevelandutilities.com/customer_service/report_power_outages.php Athens Utility Board (AUB) https://www.aub.org/about-aub/contacthours-directions/contact-information Etowah Utilities https://etowahutilities.com/services-products/electric/ Loudon Utilities https://www.loudonutilities.org/customer_services/report_an_outage.php Fort Loudon Electric https://www.flec.org/helpful-links/power-outage Lenior City Utility Board (LCUB) https://www.lcub.com/report-a-problem/ Knoxville Utility Board (KUB) https://www.kub.org/outage-center/poweroutage-guide City of Alcoa Utilities https://www.outageentry.com/Outages/outage.php?Client=ALCOA&serviceIndex=1&openingPage= Sequachee Valley Electric Co-op (SVEC) https://www.outageentry.com/Outages/outage.php?Client=SEQUACHEE&serviceIndex=1&openingPage= Dayton Electric https://www.daytontn.net/residents/utilities/electric/index.php 4. Follow Social Media and News Updates Social media platforms and local news outlets often provide updates on widespread outages and estimated restoration times. Many utility companies post real-time updates on platforms like Twitter and Facebook. 5. Use Text or Mobile Alerts Some utility companies offer SMS services where you can text them about the outage and receive updates. Sign up for these alerts if your provider offers them to stay informed about the status of the restoration efforts. 6. Stay Safe and Be Patient While waiting for the power to be restored, ensure you stay safe. Avoid downed power lines, use generators outdoors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, and avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer unnecessarily to keep your food from spoiling. Conclusion Promptly and effectively reporting a power outage can significantly speed up the restoration process. By staying informed and following these steps, you can ensure that both you and your utility service providers can handle the situation efficiently.

Adding a home standby generator is a valuable feature for new construction homes, offering homeowners peace of mind knowing they won't be left in the dark during power outages. However, the installation process is complex, and choosing the right professional for the job is critical. While you might be tempted to use your general electrician, partnering with a certified Generac dealer for new construction projects offers significant advantages that can protect your reputation and ensure homeowner satisfaction down the line. The Comprehensive Process of a Certified Dealer A certified Generac dealer follows a structured process designed specifically for home standby generator installation in new construction. This isn't just dropping a unit on a pad; it involves several crucial steps: Sizing Report: Determining the correct generator size is paramount, as it impacts the required footprint, gas line size, and electrical wire type. Game Plan: Certified dealers meet with the builder and electrician to establish clear roles and responsibilities from the outset. Pregame: Essential infrastructure like the transfer switch (or switches), generator wire, and fuel line are run before the generator unit arrives. Multiple transfer switch options exist and can be discussed with the homeowner, builder, and electrician. The Big Day: The generator is brought on-site, placed (often on a concrete pad designed for the unit), and all final fuel and electrical connections are made. The generator is typically bolted to the pad to prevent theft. Handoff: The dealer meets with the homeowner, provides a startup class, educates them on operation, sets up yearly maintenance, and provides contact information for any future issues. Certified dealers like McCay Southern offer a turnkey process, handling everything from obtaining necessary permits to the final testing, ensuring the installation is correct and safe. They specialize in residential Generac generators and use licensed electricians. This specialized knowledge and process go beyond typical electrical work. The Pitfalls of General Electricians and the Risk to Warranty Claims While competent, a general electrician may not have the specialized experience with the nuances of Generac generator systems, transfer switches, fuel line requirements (natural gas or propane), and the specific technical prep work involved. Missing steps or making errors during installation can lead to significant problems. Crucially, improper installation can jeopardize the generator's warranty. Generac warranties often require installation by a certified or authorized professional. Certified dealers like McCay Southern are certified to repair and handle all warranty claims directly. Using a non-certified installer could leave the homeowner (and by extension, you) in a difficult position if a warranty issue arises. Many dealers also offer extended warranties (5, 7, and 10-year options are mentioned), providing added long-term protection, which might not be available or valid without proper certified installation. Preventing That Call: Generator Failure During a Power Outage Imagine this scenario: a storm hits, the power goes out, and the homeowner's new generator fails to start. Who is the first person they call in a panic? Often, it's the builder. This reflects poorly on your work and creates an unnecessary headache. A certified Generac dealer minimizes this risk through their comprehensive service and support. Beyond proper installation, they often implement proactive measures. For instance, generators typically perform a weekly self-test. Dealers like McCay Southern can install a 4G monitor that runs off a cell tower and notifies them immediately if there's an issue detected during this self-test. This allows the dealer to address potential problems before an actual power outage occurs. This level of proactive monitoring and 24/7 availability for service ensures that if something goes wrong, the homeowner calls the dedicated generator expert who can fix it, rather than calling you, the builder, who may not have the immediate resources or expertise to diagnose and repair the issue. The dealer's "Handoff" step explicitly provides the homeowner with information on who to reach out to if they ever have an issue. Protect Your Reputation, Partner with a Specialist Partnering with a certified Generac Power Pro Premier Dealer ensures the generator is sized correctly, installed properly according to manufacturer specifications, and covered by a valid warranty. Their specialized process, proactive monitoring, and dedicated 24/7 support drastically reduce the likelihood of a generator failure during an outage, saving you from late-night calls and protecting your reputation for quality construction. Consider working with a trusted partner like McCay Southern Generators.