Generator Installation · New Orleans, LA
Generator Installation in New Orleans, LA
After Hurricane Ida left the entire city without power in 2021, standby generators became one of the most requested electrical projects in New Orleans. A standby unit with an automatic transfer switch is often installed on a raised platform to stay above flood levels, and it needs a gas supply sized for the generator and clearances from windows and doors.
- Call now to check electrician availability in your area
- Independent, licensed electricians
- Serving Uptown, Bywater, Mid-City and more
What's different about generator installation in New Orleans
A generator inlet with an interlock for a portable unit is a lower-cost option. Historic districts may require review of visible equipment. Permits come from the Department of Safety and Permits.
Older homes often have original or patched wiring, and raised homes may have wiring running in crawl spaces exposed to moisture and pests. Panels, AC units and generators in flood-prone areas are often elevated.
Weather and the utility in New Orleans
New Orleans is hot and humid most of the year, with frequent heavy rain and street flooding, and hurricane season runs June through November. When Hurricane Ida struck in August 2021, the city lost power entirely and some areas waited more than a week for restoration, which drove a large increase in standby generator installations. Humidity, heat and termites can damage wiring in crawl spaces under raised homes. Entergy New Orleans serves the city and handles meters, service drops and post-storm reconnection; after storm damage to a service mast or meter base, an electrician typically has to repair it first.
- Permits in New Orleans
- Electrical permits in New Orleans are issued by the city's Department of Safety and Permits, and historic districts may need separate review for exterior changes.
- Electric utility
- Entergy New Orleans
- Where we connect you
- 61 ZIP codes in New Orleans, including Uptown, Bywater, Mid-City, Treme, Gentilly, Algiers
Signs it's time to call
- Frequent outages from storms, ice or heat
- Medical equipment, sump pumps or freezers that cannot lose power
- A portable generator with no safe way to connect
- Planning a whole-home standby unit
How the job usually goes
1. Size the load
Circuits that must stay powered are listed and the generator sized.
2. Choose the connection
Inlet and interlock, manual transfer switch or automatic transfer switch.
3. Install and inspect
Permitted installation, gas connection by a licensed fitter where needed, and inspection.
Full details on generator installation, including what you can safely check yourself.
What moves the price in New Orleans
Electricians set their own prices. Local permit fees, utility coordination and the age of the home all play a part, along with:
- Portable inlet versus standby system
- Generator size
- Transfer switch type
- Distance from panel and gas source
- Pad, permits and inspection
Stop and call an electrician if
- ✕ Never backfeed through an outlet
- ✕ Never run a generator in a garage
Generator Installation in New Orleans: questions
Do I need a permit for generator installation in New Orleans?
In most cases, yes. Electrical permits in New Orleans are issued by the city's Department of Safety and Permits, and historic districts may need separate review for exterior changes. The electrician normally pulls the permit and arranges the inspection.
Is an interlock kit legal?
Listed interlock kits are accepted in many jurisdictions when installed with a permit. Your electrician will know the local rule.
What electrical issues are common in New Orleans homes?
Electricians in New Orleans most often see: generator and transfer switch installations for hurricane outages; moisture and pest damage to wiring in crawl spaces; post-flood inspections and repairs.
More electrical help in New Orleans
Generator Installation in nearby cities
Guides
Need generator installation in New Orleans?
Call now and we connect you with a licensed electrician who serves your ZIP code.