Generator Installation · Shreveport, LA
Generator Installation in Shreveport, LA
Northwest Louisiana's ice storms, including February 2021, and severe spring and summer storms have caused long outages in Shreveport, sometimes in dangerous heat or cold. Many households want backup for the refrigerator, lights, a window AC unit or the furnace blower.
- Call now to check electrician availability in your area
- Independent, licensed electricians
- Serving Highland, South Highlands, Broadmoor and more
What's different about generator installation in Shreveport
A portable generator connected through an outdoor inlet and panel interlock covers those affordably, while a standby generator with an automatic transfer switch suits homes with natural gas. Generators must run outdoors and away from windows. SWEPCO owns the service, and permits come from the city's permits and inspections office.
Older homes may have original wiring and small services, and mid-century homes often have full panels with little room for new circuits. Air conditioning runs for much of the year, stressing older circuits.
Weather and the utility in Shreveport
Shreveport summers are long and hot, with air conditioning running from spring into fall, and spring brings severe thunderstorms, hail and tornado risk. Winter is usually mild, but the February 2021 winter storm brought rare extended cold and outages to northwest Louisiana. Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) serves Shreveport and handles meters, service drops and reconnection. Frequent lightning makes surge damage to AC equipment and electronics a common complaint.
- Permits in Shreveport
- Electrical permits in Shreveport come from the city's Permits and Inspections Division, where electrical contractors must also register; Bossier City and unincorporated Caddo Parish issue their own. Louisiana licenses electrical contractors through the State Licensing Board for Contractors.
- Electric utility
- SWEPCO
- Where we connect you
- 35 ZIP codes in Shreveport, including Highland, South Highlands, Broadmoor, Fairfield, Querbes, Southern Hills
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 Shreveport
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 Shreveport: questions
Do I need a permit for generator installation in Shreveport?
In most cases, yes. Electrical permits in Shreveport come from the city's Permits and Inspections Division, where electrical contractors must also register; Bossier City and unincorporated Caddo Parish issue their own. Louisiana licenses electrical contractors through the State Licensing Board for Contractors. 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 Shreveport homes?
Electricians in Shreveport most often see: heavy AC loads on older circuits; severe storm and ice outages; surge damage from frequent lightning.
More electrical help in Shreveport
Generator Installation in nearby cities
Guides
Need generator installation in Shreveport?
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