PSE (Puget Sound Energy) reports a multi-day outage somewhere on its system most years. Wind storms, ice storms, and the occasional summer heat event each have a track record of dropping power across multiple Eastside neighborhoods for 24 to 72 hours. For homes that run on PSE service alone, those outages are inconvenient. For homes running well pumps, freezers, home offices, medical equipment, sump pumps in flood-prone properties, or critical heating in winter, those outages are operationally serious. A correctly sized standby generator turns a multi-day outage into a few seconds of automatic transfer followed by uninterrupted normal service.
We install and service Generac, Kohler, Cummins, and Briggs & Stratton standby generators across the Greater Eastside. Every installation includes the generator, the automatic transfer switch (ATS), the electrical work to the panel, the gas-line work to the unit, the permits, and the inspections — quoted flat-rate in writing before any work begins. We also install manual transfer switches for portable generators when an owner wants a budget option, and we provide mobile generator wiring service for events, remote work sites, and unfinished construction sites.
What a Whole-Home Generator Actually Does
A whole-home standby generator is a permanently installed unit, typically located outside the home on a concrete or composite pad. It is wired through an automatic transfer switch that monitors utility power. When PSE power fails, the ATS senses the loss within seconds, signals the generator to start, and transfers the home's electrical service from the utility to the generator. Power restoration in your home is automatic and typically takes 10 to 30 seconds from outage to full restoration. When utility power returns, the ATS waits a stabilization period, transfers the home back to PSE, and signals the generator to cool down and shut off.
The generator runs weekly self-tests of approximately 5 to 15 minutes at low load, which both verifies operability and circulates oil through the engine. Maintenance is typically annual — oil change, air filter, spark plugs — and most owners contract a maintenance plan with the installer.
Sizing — The Decision That Defines Long-Term Satisfaction
Generator sizing is the most consequential decision in the project and the one most often gotten wrong. An undersized generator either trips repeatedly under normal household loads, or runs at sustained near-100% capacity, which dramatically shortens its life. An oversized generator costs significantly more, consumes more fuel, and runs inefficiently at low loads — though the failure mode is less severe than undersizing.
We perform a full load calculation as part of the site visit. The calculation considers continuous loads (HVAC, refrigeration, well pump, lighting), starting loads (compressors, motors), the demand factor for kitchen and dryer circuits, and whether the home owner wants whole-home coverage or "essential circuits only" coverage. The output is a kilowatt rating that maps to a specific generator model.
Typical Eastside sizing patterns
For a typical 2,500 to 3,500 sq ft Eastside home with gas heat, gas water heat, a central AC unit, and standard residential loads, a 22 kW air-cooled standby covers everything except simultaneous operation of every large appliance, which most homes never do anyway. This is the most common size we install on the Eastside and represents the price/performance sweet spot.
For larger custom homes, homes with electric heating systems (heat pumps), homes with hot tubs and pools, or homes with EV chargers and significant home-office equipment, a 24 kW or 26 kW air-cooled is appropriate.
For homes above 5,000 sq ft, homes with significant electric load (electric range, electric water heater, two HVAC zones, EV charging), or homes where the owner wants whole-home coverage with no load management, a liquid-cooled 30 kW to 38 kW unit is the right tier. Liquid-cooled units cost more but run cooler, quieter, and longer between maintenance intervals.
Smart load management — sometimes the right answer
A smart load management module (sometimes called a "smart switch" or load shedding controller) sheds non-essential loads when the generator approaches capacity. This allows a smaller, less expensive generator to cover whole-home essentials while gracefully managing peak demand. We discuss this option during the site visit when the load calculation suggests it would save the homeowner $4,000 to $6,000 versus the next size up.
Fuel Selection
The fuel choice determines runtime, refueling logistics, fuel cost, and long-term maintenance.
Natural gas. The default for most Eastside homes. PSE natural gas service is reliable, fuel supply is effectively unlimited, and most generator brands offer factory-supported natural gas models that produce slightly less peak power than the equivalent propane unit but trade that off for unlimited runtime. Installation requires a gas pressure check, often a larger gas line from the meter, and coordination with PSE for any service upgrades.
Propane (LP). The right choice for homes without natural gas service. Tank sizing depends on the generator size and desired runtime — a 500-gallon tank typically supports several days of continuous runtime on a 22 kW air-cooled unit. Above-ground tanks are common; buried tanks are available where aesthetics matter. Tank installation is performed by a licensed propane company; we coordinate scheduling.
Diesel. Appropriate for commercial sites and homes where extended runtime is critical. Diesel generators are louder, more expensive per kilowatt, and require ongoing fuel polishing and tank maintenance, but they produce strong continuous power and run efficiently at high load. Most residential installs on the Eastside choose natural gas or propane; diesel is a commercial-tier choice.
What's Included in a Standard Installation
Our flat-rate quotes for whole-home generator installation include:
- Site visit, load calculation, fuel evaluation, and written flat-rate quote
- Generator unit (Generac, Kohler, Cummins, or Briggs & Stratton) of the agreed kilowatt rating
- Automatic transfer switch (ATS) sized to the service amperage
- Concrete or composite generator pad, properly drained and leveled
- Gas line installation from the meter or tank to the unit, with sediment trap and shutoff valve
- Coordination with PSE if a gas service upgrade is required
- Electrical permit, mechanical/gas permit, and any required building permit
- All electrical wiring between the generator, ATS, and main panel
- Generator startup, programming, and commissioning
- Owner walkthrough covering operation, weekly exercise, and alarm conditions
- Final inspections coordinated with the appropriate jurisdiction
- First-year maintenance included (oil change at the 200-hour mark)
- Manufacturer warranty registration on your behalf
Pricing on the Eastside
The ranges below reflect typical installations. Final flat-rate pricing follows the site visit.
| Configuration | Typical range |
|---|---|
| 14–18 kW air-cooled, natural gas, 200A ATS | $9,500 – $13,500 |
| 22 kW air-cooled, natural gas, 200A ATS (most common) | $14,000 – $18,000 |
| 22–26 kW air-cooled, propane with 500 gal tank install | $17,000 – $22,000 |
| 30–38 kW liquid-cooled, natural gas, 400A ATS | $22,000 – $35,000 |
| Manual transfer switch for portable generator (no unit included) | $1,800 – $3,200 |
Ranges include the unit, ATS, pad, gas line, electrical work, permits, and inspections. Significant additions to PSE gas service, extensive trenching for fuel lines, panel upgrades when triggered by the install, and propane tank installation are itemized separately.
Permit and Inspection Process
A complete generator install requires three coordinated permits in most Eastside jurisdictions: an electrical permit (transfer switch and wiring), a mechanical or gas permit (fuel line and connection), and frequently a building permit for the pad and unit placement. Each is pulled by us and inspected at the appropriate stage of work.
Inspectors verify clearance distances from windows, doors, and combustible materials per the manufacturer's installation manual; they verify gas line sizing, sediment trap location, and shutoff valve placement; they verify transfer switch wiring, breaker sizing, and grounding. First-pass inspection success is the norm.
Installation Timeline
From the date you accept a quote to a fully commissioned generator typically follows this sequence:
- Quote acceptance and 50% deposit. Day 0.
- Generator order placed with manufacturer. Lead time typically 2–4 weeks for air-cooled, 4–8 weeks for liquid-cooled.
- Permits filed. Days 1–14, in parallel with unit lead time.
- Pad installed, gas line roughed in. Once permits are issued, typically days 14–21.
- Generator delivered and set on pad. Coordinated with delivery date.
- Final electrical and gas connections, ATS installation, transfer panel wiring. Typically 1–2 days of work.
- Inspections (electrical, gas, building if applicable). Within 1–2 weeks of completion.
- Startup, programming, and commissioning. Same day as final inspection or shortly after.
- Owner walkthrough. 30–60 minutes covering operation, weekly self-test, and alarms.
- Final payment. After successful commissioning and walkthrough.
Brands We Install
Generac. The market leader by volume. Strong dealer network in Washington, broad parts availability, good consumer-grade air-cooled lineup from 10 kW to 26 kW, and capable Protector Series liquid-cooled units to 60 kW for residential. The right default for most Eastside homes.
Kohler. Premium build quality, particularly in the 20RESCL through 38RCL range. Quieter than equivalent Generac units. Slightly higher price point. Strong choice for homes where noise is a primary concern (Mercer Island, premium Bellevue neighborhoods, lakefront properties with nearby neighbors).
Cummins. Commercial-grade equipment also offered in residential-friendly sizes. Longest-life engines in the category. The right choice for homeowners who plan to run the generator extensively, for commercial sites, and for properties where the generator is expected to be on near-continuous duty during planned outages.
Briggs & Stratton. Budget tier with adequate quality for moderate-use applications. Appropriate when the project budget is tight and the generator will be used primarily for occasional 12–48 hour outages.
Mobile Generator and Portable Generator Wiring
Not every home needs a whole-home standby. For homeowners who already own a portable generator or want a budget-tier backup solution, we install manual transfer switches (typically 6 to 10 essential circuits) and inlet boxes that allow a portable generator to safely power critical circuits during an outage. This avoids the dangerous "suicide cord" backfeed practice and provides code-compliant operation. Mobile generator service for construction sites, events, and remote properties is also available.
Get a Generator Quote
Call 425-900-3610 or use the contact form to schedule a free in-home generator evaluation. The site visit typically takes 60 to 90 minutes and includes load calculation, fuel evaluation, placement options, and a written flat-rate quote within 48 hours of the visit.