What Tampa Bay homeowners should know before buying a standby generator: how sizing works, fuel choices, permits, inspections and why the timeline is longer than most expect.
After a long outage in August heat, a standby generator stops sounding like a luxury. A permanently installed generator starts on its own when the power drops and can run your AC, refrigerator, well pump and medical equipment until the grid comes back.
It's also a real construction project with permits, inspections, fuel lines and electrical work. Knowing how it goes helps you plan and avoid surprises.
Generators are sized by the loads they need to carry. Running a refrigerator, lights, Wi-Fi and a few outlets takes far less capacity than running central air, an electric range and a pool pump at the same time. AC compressors also draw a surge when they start, which has to be accounted for.
A good installer does a load calculation rather than guessing from square footage. Some systems use load management to shed big appliances automatically so a smaller generator can cover the whole house. Ask for the sizing in writing and what it assumes you'll run.
If your street has natural gas, a utility connection means no refueling. Without gas service, propane tanks are common; the tank size determines how long you can run before a refill, and refills can be slow after a big storm. Diesel is more common for commercial units.
Ask how many days the system can run at your typical load and who refills the tank.
Standby generators generally need permits in Tampa Bay, often electrical plus gas and sometimes building permits for the pad. Setbacks from windows, doors and property lines apply, along with HOA rules. The installer should pull the permits and schedule inspections.
A transfer switch is required so the generator never back-feeds the utility lines, which can injure line workers. Never connect a portable generator to house wiring without one.
From first quote to running generator, plan for several weeks to a few months. The steps usually include a site visit, load calculation, permit applications, equipment delivery, pad and gas work, electrical tie-in, inspections and the utility gas meter upgrade if needed. Each step depends on someone else's schedule.
That's why fall and winter are the right time to start. If you wait until a storm is forecast, you'll likely be waiting until next season.
Standby generators need regular exercise runs and annual maintenance: oil, filters, battery and a check of the transfer switch. Many installers offer service plans. Keep the area around the unit clear of plants and debris, and test it before June 1 each year.
Portable generators are a different story. Use them only outdoors, far from windows and doors, because carbon monoxide kills people every hurricane season.
It depends on what you want to run. Ask for a written load calculation.
Generally yes, often electrical and gas permits. Confirm with your building department.
Often several weeks to a few months, mostly because of permits, equipment and utility scheduling.
Natural gas avoids refueling if available. Propane works anywhere but needs tank refills.