Whole-House Generator Installation & Repair in Wausau, WI
PGA Inc. installs new whole-house generators and provides local repair service for existing systems. Our generator electricians work with all makes and models and can troubleshoot starting problems, unexpected shutdowns, warning codes, battery failures, transfer equipment issues, and other performance concerns.
For new installations, we begin by reviewing your home’s electrical demand and the equipment you want to operate during an outage. Some homeowners want to protect a few essential circuits, while others want a larger standby generator capable of supporting most or all of the home. We explain the available options and help you select a system that matches your priorities and budget.
Our goal is to provide a properly sized backup power system that operates safely, responds reliably, and supports the parts of your home that matter most during an outage.
What to Expect During Standby Generator Installation
Professional generator installation involves more than placing equipment outside and connecting it to your home. The generator must be correctly sized, positioned, connected, and tested to provide dependable power while meeting applicable electrical and manufacturer requirements.
A whole-house generator installation may include:
- Electrical load evaluation: We review your appliances, essential systems, electrical panel, and expected backup power needs.
- Generator sizing: Our team helps select a generator with enough capacity to support the circuits and equipment you want to operate.
- Site planning: We determine an appropriate outdoor location based on the property, required clearances, accessibility, and ventilation.
- Transfer equipment installation: The transfer equipment allows the generator to supply power safely when utility service is interrupted.
- Electrical connections: Our electricians connect the generator to the appropriate circuits and electrical equipment.
- Startup and testing: We test the completed installation and confirm that the generator responds properly.
- Homeowner walkthrough: We explain basic operation, monitoring, and recommended maintenance.
Careful planning helps prevent an undersized generator, overloaded circuits, inconvenient equipment placement, and other problems that can affect long-term performance.
Local Standby Generator Maintenance Services
A standby generator may sit unused for long periods before being expected to operate during an emergency. Routine maintenance helps identify problems before an outage and keeps the engine, battery, electrical connections, and transfer equipment prepared for operation.
Generator maintenance may include:
- Oil and filter service: Oil, air filters, and other service components are inspected and replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Battery inspection: We check the battery, terminals, and charging system for corrosion, wear, or other problems that could prevent startup.
- Visual inspection: The generator is checked for leaks, corrosion, damaged wiring, blocked airflow, and visible equipment concerns.
- Electrical connection review: Connections and accessible electrical components are inspected for signs of deterioration or damage.
- Transfer equipment testing: We confirm that the system can respond appropriately when utility power is interrupted.
- Operational testing: The generator is started and monitored for warning codes, unusual sounds, shutdowns, and performance concerns.
Maintenance requirements vary based on the generator model, operating hours, age, and manufacturer. Our technicians can review your system and recommend an appropriate service schedule.
Standby Generator Care Between Service Visits
Homeowners can support reliable generator performance by keeping the surrounding area clear, watching for warning lights or alerts, and confirming that scheduled exercise cycles occur. Snow, leaves, vegetation, and stored items should be cleared away so airflow and service access remain unobstructed.
Pay attention to changes in startup time, sound, odor, or operation. Scheduling service when a concern first appears can help prevent a shutdown during the next outage. Internal electrical, engine, fuel, and transfer equipment work should be completed by trained professionals.
Regular inspections, professional maintenance, and attention to generator alerts help keep your backup power system prepared for Wisconsin’s next severe weather event.
Standby vs. Portable Generators
Portable and standby generators provide different levels of backup power. Portable generators generally cost less and can supply electricity to a limited number of appliances or devices. They require manual setup, an appropriate outdoor operating location, and a safe method of connecting the selected equipment.
A standby generator is permanently installed outside the home and connected through automatic transfer equipment. When utility power fails, the system can start automatically and supply electricity to selected circuits or a larger portion of the home. Standby generators are often a better fit for homeowners who want automatic operation, greater capacity, and dependable support during extended outages.
Our guide to standby and portable generators provides additional information to help you compare the two options.
What Size Backup Generator Do You Need?
The right generator size depends on your home’s electrical demand and the systems you want to operate during an outage. Generator sizing should account for both normal running wattage and the additional power some equipment requires when it starts.
Common backup-power goals include:
- Essential-circuit coverage: Power for selected equipment such as refrigeration, lighting, well pumps, sump pumps, heating equipment, or medical devices.
- Partial-home coverage: Support for essential systems plus additional rooms, outlets, and appliances.
- Whole-home coverage: A larger system designed to support most or all household electrical demands.
Our generator electricians review your electrical panel, appliances, major equipment, and backup priorities before recommending a system. This provides a more accurate result than choosing a generator based only on the home’s square footage.
PGA Inc. will help you select a generator that supports your household needs without paying for unnecessary capacity.
