Can my electrician just add a transfer switch to my current portable generator?

In most cases yes, as long as the generator has enough output for the circuits you want to run. This is a common, smaller job.

Do whole-home generators run everything in the house?

A properly sized standby system can run the whole house, but many homeowners size it to cover essential circuits (AC, fridge, well pump, some outlets) to control cost.

Is a permit required for either option?

Whole-home standby installs almost always need a permit due to the gas line and electrical service connection. Portable hookups with an interlock kit typically need a permit too since it modifies the panel.

Whole-home standby generator vs. portable generator hookup in Sanford, FL

Sanford sees enough hurricane season outages that generator questions come up every year, but not every household needs the same setup. There are two distinct jobs an electrician handles here, and they call for different equipment, wiring, and budgets.

Whole-home standby generator: a permanently installed unit, usually fueled by natural gas or propane, wired into an automatic transfer switch so it kicks on within seconds of an outage and can run the whole house.
Portable generator hookup: wiring an interlock kit or manual transfer switch so a portable gas generator can safely power select circuits, without the risk of backfeeding the utility line.

The standby option is a bigger, permanent installation project with a concrete pad, gas line work, and permitting. The portable hookup is a smaller electrical job that makes an existing portable generator safer and easier to use, but it doesn't run everything and someone has to fuel and start it manually.

What it costs

Portable generator hookups are the cheaper option since it's mainly a transfer switch or interlock kit installed on the existing panel. Whole-home standby systems cost significantly more because they include the generator unit itself, a concrete or composite pad, gas line or propane tank work, an automatic transfer switch, and permit and inspection fees. Fuel type and total home electrical load both affect the standby price.

Top 3 by our score

Ranked from our published scoring of public Google reviews for generator installation.

1. Super Fast Electric
4.9★ · 668 reviews

93
2. American Air, Plumbing, and Electrical
4.9★ · 9949 reviews

93
3. JCD Electric
5.0★ · 145 reviews

92

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FAQ

Can my electrician just add a transfer switch to my current portable generator?: In most cases yes, as long as the generator has enough output for the circuits you want to run. This is a common, smaller job.
Do whole-home generators run everything in the house?: A properly sized standby system can run the whole house, but many homeowners size it to cover essential circuits (AC, fridge, well pump, some outlets) to control cost.
Is a permit required for either option?: Whole-home standby installs almost always need a permit due to the gas line and electrical service connection. Portable hookups with an interlock kit typically need a permit too since it modifies the panel.

Enquiries submitted through our contact forms may be passed to partner providers who can do the work, and we may receive a referral fee. Our rankings are based solely on our published scoring method and are never influenced by referral fees.