Why a Whole Home Generator is Essential for Storms

Get Hurricane Ready: Secure Your Home with a Whole Home Generator

The first named storm has formed over the Atlantic, signaling the beginning of the 2025 hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts 13 to 19 named storms will develop, and 6 to 10 of these storms will gain hurricane force before we celebrate Thanksgiving. 1

There are three stages of hurricane development:

Preparations before a storm
Preparations during a storm
Recovery after a storm

One step in pre-storm preparation is to determine whether to evacuate or shelter in place. This decision should be made before the arrival of each storm, since they vary in intensity. Another pre-storm preparation step makes shelter in place a more viable option (depending on the storm’s intensity); that is, the purchase and installation of a whole home generator. A Whole home generator allows homeowners to:

Minimize losses by responding in real time to things that happen to the property
Provide greater security to family and property
Keep the family as comfortable as possible during a trying time

How a Whole Home Generator Works

Whole home generators use natural gas or propane (depending on the availability of fuel) to produce enough electricity to power a home every time the utility grid loses power.

A transfer switch senses the loss of power and disconnects the home from the power grid.
This switch also turns on the whole home generator automatically; these two events happen within seconds of the loss of power.
The generator can be sized to provide power to all circuits within the home, including the key circuits that power the air conditioning (or heating) system, refrigerators/freezers, and light circuits.
When power is restored to the grid, the transfer switch senses the change, turns off the generator, and reconnects the home to the power grid. This change also happens within seconds, with minimal downtime.

Cost and Scheduling for Whole Home Generator Installation

The total cost of the purchase and installation of a whole home generator ranges between $8,000 and $15,000: the equipment to installation ratio is generally 60% equipment to / 40% installation.

Some installations are trickier than others, so installation schedules can range from a few days to a few weeks. Why are there differences in scheduling?

Some municipalities have stringent code enforcement and permitting requirements. Permitting can take up to 4 weeks.
Planning can also require significant variations, since no two sites are identical. The generator needs to be installed far enough away from the home and from neighboring homes to prevent exhaust from entering a home. Some generators require an elevated installation to protect them from potential flooding. The plumbing schedule for a local natural gas utility might also require extra time.
A contractor will work with the homeowner to properly size the generator for the unique home characteristics.
Installation of the switch, wiring, and the generator site usually only takes a couple of days. However, weather conditions and contractor scheduling can add a few days to the installation time.

The Benefits of a Whole Home Generator

The intensity and conditions for each storm are different, so a family’s decision to evacuate or shelter-in-place will vary depending on each storm. A whole home generator cannot mitigate the effects of flooding, storm surge, or high winds. However, a whole home generator can:

Help protect property and keep a family secure while sheltering in place.
Prevent food spoilage.
Allow a family time to make quicker repairs after storm recovery.
Keep a family comfortable during power outages in all seasons.

Stay Powered Through the Storm with the Help of AirPro Houston

With four decades of experience as a residential electrician, AirPro Houston offers the expertise needed for seamless whole home generator installation. Contact us today at 281-880-8805 to ensure your home is prepared and powered through any storm.

1 https://www.noaa.gov