Standby Generator Installation · Marietta, GA
Standby Generator Installation in Marietta, GA
A standby generator is a permanently installed unit, usually fueled by natural gas or propane, that starts on its own when the power goes out and switches your home over through an automatic transfer switch.
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- Independent, licensed electricians
- Serving Marietta Square, Whitlock Avenue, Church Street–Cherokee Street and more
Why standby generator installation comes up in Marietta
Ice storms like January 2014's and summer storms that drop trees across north Cobb have left Marietta-area homes without power for days. Natural-gas standby generators with automatic transfer switches are a popular choice in East Cobb and the neighborhoods near Kennesaw Mountain, and the gas meter may need upgrading for a whole-house unit. Units must sit outdoors with clearance from windows, doors and property lines, and many HOAs set screening rules.
Permits come from the City of Marietta or Cobb County, with separate gas permits. Families near Kennesaw Mountain on wooded lots tend to see the longest restoration times.
- A portable generator connected through an outdoor inlet and panel interlock covers essentials, while a natural-gas standby generator with an automatic transfer switch runs automatically.
- Permits in Marietta
- Electrical permits inside city limits come from the City of Marietta's development services; Cobb County handles unincorporated areas. Georgia licenses electrical contractors through the State Construction Industry Licensing Board.
- Electric utility
- Marietta Power (city-owned) or Georgia Power / Cobb EMC, depending on address
Signs to look for
- Outages that last a day or more in your area
- Medical equipment, sump pumps or home offices that cannot lose power
- No one home to set up a portable generator during storms
- Wanting central air or heat to run during outages
- Natural gas already at the home
How the work is done
1. Load and site review
The electrician decides which circuits to back up, sizes the unit, and picks a compliant spot outdoors.
2. Permits and fuel
Electrical and, often, gas or propane permits are pulled, and the fuel supply is checked for capacity.
3. Install unit and transfer switch
The pad, generator, automatic transfer switch and wiring are installed; a gas fitter connects the fuel.
4. Inspection and startup
The work is inspected, the unit is started, and the transfer is tested.
What moves the price in Marietta
Electricians set their own prices. Historic homes can have knob-and-tube or cloth wiring, and mid-century homes often have 100 amp panels.
- Generator size in kilowatts
- Whole-house versus essential-circuit transfer switch
- Distance from the panel and gas meter
- Gas meter or propane tank upgrades
- Pad, placement and HOA or flood-elevation requirements
- Permits and gas work
Standby Generator Installation in Marietta: questions
Do I need a permit for standby generator installation in Marietta?
Usually, yes. Electrical permits inside city limits come from the City of Marietta's development services; Cobb County handles unincorporated areas. Georgia licenses electrical contractors through the State Construction Industry Licensing Board. The electrician normally pulls the permit and schedules the inspection.
Is the utility involved in Marietta?
If the work affects the meter or service, the electrician coordinates with Marietta Power (city-owned) or Georgia Power / Cobb EMC, depending on address, which owns the meter and service drop.
What size standby generator do I need?
It depends on what you want to run. Essential circuits may need a smaller unit; whole-house backup with central air needs more. A load calculation decides.
Standby or portable generator?
A portable generator with an inlet and interlock costs less but has to be set up and refueled by hand. A standby unit starts and switches over by itself.
Can a standby generator run on propane?
Yes. Most run on natural gas or propane; the fuel supply must be sized for the unit.
How close to the house can it go?
Manufacturers and local codes set clearances from windows, doors, vents and property lines; the installer follows both.
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