A standby generator automatically powers your home within seconds of a utility outage — no extension cords, no manual startup, no storing gasoline. For South Florida homeowners dealing with an active hurricane season and the possibility of days or weeks without utility power, a properly sized and installed standby generator is one of the most valuable investments in home infrastructure available. This guide covers everything you need to know before making that investment.
Standby vs. Portable: Understanding the Difference
Portable generators are gasoline-powered units that require manual setup, must be run outdoors due to carbon monoxide risk, and need to be refueled regularly. They’re affordable upfront but limited in capacity and carry significant safety risks if used improperly.
Standby generators are permanently installed outside your home, connected to a natural gas or propane supply, and wired directly to your electrical panel through an automatic transfer switch (ATS). When utility power fails, the ATS detects the outage and starts the generator automatically — usually within 10–30 seconds. When utility power is restored, the ATS switches back and the generator shuts down.
For extended outages — which are common in South Florida following major hurricanes — a standby generator running on a gas line that doesn’t require refueling is a fundamentally different level of security than a portable unit. Kasper Electric provides generator installation services throughout Palm Beach and Martin Counties.
Choosing the Right Fuel Type
Natural Gas
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Connected directly to your home’s gas meter — no fuel storage required
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Supply generally intact even when electrical infrastructure is down
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Lower fuel cost than propane in most markets
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Best for: homes with an existing natural gas connection
Liquid Propane (LP)
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Stored in a propane tank on your property (typically 250–1,000 gallons for a whole-home system)
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Not dependent on utility infrastructure of any kind
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Best for: homes without natural gas service, rural properties, or homeowners who want complete utility independence
Sizing Your Generator: How Much Power Do You Need?
| Coverage Level | Typical Generator Size | What It Powers |
|---|---|---|
| Essential circuits only | 7–12 kW | Refrigerator, lights, fans, phone charging, select outlets |
| Partial home | 13–20 kW | Above + central AC (1 zone), sump pump, garage door |
| Whole home (standard) | 20–26 kW | All of the above + full AC, water heater, washer/dryer |
| Whole home (large/luxury) | 27–45+ kW | Large homes, multiple AC zones, pool equipment, EV charger |
A licensed electrician will perform a load calculation for your home — adding up the wattage of your essential circuits — to recommend the right size. Don’t rely on a general square footage estimate alone.
The Automatic Transfer Switch
The automatic transfer switch (ATS) is the brain of your standby generator system. It monitors incoming utility power, detects an outage, starts the generator, transfers your home’s load to generator power, and reverses the process when utility power is restored. It also provides critical safety protection, ensuring generator power and utility power are never connected simultaneously.
Permits and Codes in Palm Beach County
Generator installation in Palm Beach County requires a permit covering electrical, mechanical, and gas work. Working with a licensed electrical contractor means the permit process is handled for you. Unpermitted installations can create issues with homeowner’s insurance and may need to be brought into compliance when you sell your home.
Installation: What to Expect
A typical standby generator installation involves:
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Site evaluation — panel capacity, fuel source, placement, load requirements
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Permits pulled — your contractor handles all required permits
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Generator placement and anchoring — set on a concrete or composite pad
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Gas line connection — handled by a licensed gas contractor
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Electrical connection — ATS installed at your panel, generator wired to transfer switch
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Load test and commissioning — system run under load before job is complete
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Final inspection — building department inspector signs off
A straightforward installation typically takes 1–2 days for electrical work, with additional time for gas line work if needed.
Ongoing Maintenance
Standby generators require regular maintenance to perform reliably. Plan for:
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Weekly or bi-weekly self-test — most units do this automatically
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Annual professional service — oil and filter change, battery test, load test
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Pre-hurricane season service — timed for April or May each year
