With literally dozens of companies getting into the new found emergency back-up generator business these days, and all of the different models, fuel types and sizes, how do you go about selecting the right generator for your particular needs? There are basically three types, gasoline, diesel or natural gas / liquid propane fired engine generators. For this article we will not address diesel systems as they are primarily for industrial-commercial use.

The first, being mostly of the portable gasoline type everyone purchased years ago after hurricane Andrew hit S. Florida and left residents with out the basic electric required for even the simplest of life’s bare necessities. Although inexpensive enough for most home owners to purchase, they were very loud, could not power very many things at once, they required extension cords and an un-ending vigilance with a full gas can in hand. Many of us who experienced the frantic days of hazardous driving around town trying to find a gas station that not only had gas, but power to operate the pumps was enough to conjure up thoughts of what it would be like to be in a war zone after the big blast.

Enter now the burgeoning business of back up emergency generators for permanent installations. Let’s now explore what it takes to procure a permanently installed emergency generator system. The second but most popular generators for most residential applications, is the liquid propane or natural gas fired generators.

They are usually set and secured on a concrete slab very similar to an air conditioning unit on the side of the house, and are hard wired into to the main electrical service.

The local gas company will be more than happy to install an underground LP tank, or if your neighborhood is on the natural gas grid, they will hook-up your new generator for a reasonable fee.

But, with all these new generator installation companies offering their services, how do you find the most qualified and knowledgeable company to perform the entire job?

It seems everyone is an emergency generator expert these days. But how many of these companies really have the experience to design, size and even engineer and then install your emergency generator system. How many are even licensed contractors. It normally takes an Engineer or Architect to design and come up with drawings for permitting, an Electrical contractor to wire the system, a General contractor for the building or slab, a Pollutant Storage contractor / Gas co. for LP/NG for the fuel system and a Mechanical HVAC contractor for the air transition duct work.

When selecting a firm for your new system, have them come out to your residence to evaluate what size generator you will need to suit your specific power requirements. Don’t be afraid to ask for references and to see other jobs they have performed. Make sure they have all the required contracting licenses and expertise to get the job done safely, legally, and to the satisfaction of your local building department code requirements. This is a big investment, normally about the price of a high end vehicle.

Beware of the to good to be true prices being offered by fly by night companies, the old adage “you get what you pay for” could not be any truer!