Planning for a Generator in Your New Brevard County Home

Building a new home in Brevard County is an exciting journey, filled with many decisions and careful planning. One crucial aspect to consider, especially given our region’s susceptibility to hurricanes and power outages, is the installation of a home standby generator. At Eau Gallie Electric, we are here to guide you through this process seamlessly.

Installing a home backup generator is an important step in safeguarding your new home.  Eau Gallie Electric will prepare the installation site outside your home, place the generator, install the transfer switch, and make all of the necessary electrical connections. We will also make sure that your backup generator runs properly and is ready for its first power outage. Power outages can also be costly. If you lose power for an extended period of time, you could be forced to pay for:

• Hotel fees
• Replacement of spoiled food
• Burst pipes
• Mold remediation

The first thing we need to know is what phase your construction is in. Whether you’ve just broken ground, have the walls up, completed the rough electrical work, or have your meter in place, each stage has different requirements and considerations for generator installation. Early communication allows us to integrate your generator plans smoothly with the ongoing construction work.

Generator Placement and Code Compliance

We often send spec sheets detailing code compliance for generator placement to share with your contractor. This ensures that your generator is installed in a location that meets all local building codes and safety regulations. Proper placement is crucial not only for functionality but also for the safety of your home and family. Additionally, make sure to consider any HOA rules regarding generator placement.

Timing the Free Site Visit

We recommend scheduling a free site visit when your home is about 95-100% complete, typically when you’re close to obtaining your Certificate of Occupancy (CO). This is the ideal time for us to assess the final setup and ensure everything is in place for a successful generator installation.

Coordination with Your Contractor

It’s important to follow your contractor’s recommendations and review your contracts carefully. While we provide expert advice and installation services, we respect the roles of your primary contractor and subcontractors. This collaborative approach helps avoid any overlap or confusion, ensuring a smooth process.

Focus on Your Needs

We understand that each home build is unique, so we tailor our approach accordingly. While we don’t get into specifics about where to install your sprinkler system or whether to pre-wire for the generator, we are here to guide you through the generator-specific aspects of your build.

 

 

Budgeting and Estimates

While we can provide a ballpark figure for budgeting purposes, it’s important to note that these estimates are subject to change. The final cost can vary based on numerous factors specific to your home and its layout.

How a Generator Works

A Generac home backup generator senses a power outage, turns on automatically, and delivers backup power to your home. It will run until utility power returns—whether that’s in two hours or two weeks.

How Much is Everything Going to Cost?

Generac home backup generators are the most cost-effective on the market. Installation costs vary by system size, installation considerations, and local building codes. We strongly encourage you to request a free, no-obligation quote to make sure you get the correct size generator for your needs, not just for the size of your house. If you decide to purchase, installation is fast and easy. Here is what is involved:

Step 1: Choosing a Site

When considering the location for your generator, you will want to find a stable area that is well-drained and does not flood. Keep in mind that exhaust termination is extremely important; here is a link on exhaust location requirements. The generator cannot be closer than 3 feet from utility meters, air conditioning units, combustibles, or anything serviceable. The closer the site is to the electric meter and the natural gas supply line, the more you’ll save on installation. Additionally, make sure to consider any HOA rules regarding generator placement. Once the site is chosen, we will take care of any required local permits.

Step 2: Installing a Generator

Prior to placing the generator, the site needs to be prepared. Usually, this is achieved by putting down a bed of pea gravel or installing a precast slab. We will make sure the placement allows for all the right clearances (18” from the house, 60” from doors, windows, and fresh air intakes, 36” in front to allow for a technician to perform any future checkups or maintenance – please note that these are Generac measurements. Contact us for your specific generator measurements.).

Step 3: Connecting Fuel and Electrical

With the generator itself in place, a transfer switch will be installed next to your main electrical service unit. Wiring is then run, in conduit, between the generator and the breaker box. Then the fuel line is installed.

Step 4: Simulating an Outage and Final Setup

Once installation is complete, we will simulate a power outage to make sure your new generator and transfer switch work exactly as they should in the event of a power outage. This is part of the start-up phase, where we come back to test the backup generator to ensure it runs properly and is ready for its first power outage. The final step includes setting up your generator’s “exercise,” a weekly test run to ensure that everything is in good working order and ready for a power outage.

During this phase, we also provide a comprehensive tutorial for the owner. We educate you on the generator’s operation, connect Mobile Link, and register the generator for seamless monitoring and support. This tutorial covers how to use the generator, what to watch out for to ensure safe and efficient operation, and essential maintenance guidelines.

Staying Connected

We value staying in touch with our clients throughout the construction process. Most homeowners appreciate regular updates and the opportunity to discuss any changes or new considerations. This ongoing communication ensures that we can make timely adjustments and keep everyone informed.

Expert Advice

Our team brings a wealth of experience and expertise, having installed thousands of generators. Every decision is made with careful consideration of your specific situation. We always discuss plans internally to provide you with the best recommendations tailored to your unique home build.

Building a home in Brevard County is a significant investment, and planning for a generator is an essential part of protecting that investment. By considering the phase of your construction, adhering to code compliance, and staying connected with us, you can ensure a seamless generator installation. At Eau Gallie Electric, we are committed to helping you navigate this process smoothly, providing expert advice and reliable service every step of the way.

Feel free to reach out to us with any questions or to schedule a consultation. Together, we can ensure your new home is ready for anything.

For more detailed information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.