Standby generators & safe hookups
Generator Installation in Spokane, WA
After Ice Storm ’96 and the 2015 windstorm, many Spokane homeowners decided not to sit through another week in the cold. Here’s how home generators work, how to size one, and how to connect a portable generator safely.
Free referral to an independent, L&I-licensed electrical contractor. You’re never obligated to hire.
What Generator Installation Involves
Generator installation in Spokane, WA means either installing a permanent standby generator, usually natural gas or propane, with an automatic transfer switch, or installing a generator inlet with a transfer switch or interlock so you can safely run a portable generator. Either way, the electrician sizes the system, makes the connections, pulls a permit and makes sure power can’t backfeed into Avista’s lines.
Spokane’s worst outages have lasted days. Ice Storm ’96 and the November 2015 windstorm left large parts of the region dark, and summer wildfire danger now brings outages too. Homes with well pumps, sump pumps, medical equipment or home offices are the most common reasons people call Spokane electrical contractors about backup power.
Standby vs. Portable
| Option | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Standby generator + automatic transfer switch | Starts on its own within seconds of an outage | Hands-off backup for most or all of the house |
| Portable generator + interlock | Plug into an inlet; interlock prevents backfeeding | Budget-friendly backup for key circuits |
| Portable generator + manual transfer switch | Selected circuits on a small subpanel | Furnace, fridge, well pump and lights |
| Battery backup | Stores power, often with solar | Quiet backup for essential loads |
Plugging a generator into a wall outlet with a “suicide cord” can electrocute line workers and start fires. Use an inlet with an interlock or transfer switch.
How to Size a Generator
Sizing depends on what you want to run. List the essentials: the furnace blower, refrigerator and freezer, well pump, sump pump, lights, internet and maybe a microwave. Large loads like electric heat, electric water heaters and ranges take a much bigger generator. An electrician can add up starting and running loads and recommend a size, or set up load management so a smaller unit can handle more.
- Gas furnace blower and controls: modest load, top priority in winter
- Well pump: large starting load, essential for rural homes
- Refrigerator and freezer: priority during multi-day outages
- Heat pump or electric heat: very large; may need a big standby unit
What the Install Looks Like
Standby generators sit on a pad outside, with clearances from windows, doors and property lines set by code and the manufacturer. A gas fitter or propane supplier handles the fuel line; the electrician installs the transfer switch and wiring and coordinates inspections. For portable setups, the electrician installs a weatherproof inlet outside and an interlock or transfer switch at the panel. If your panel is old or full, a panel upgrade may be part of the job.
Maintenance and Outage Tips
- Run standby generators’ exercise cycle and schedule annual service.
- Keep portable generators outside, well away from doors and windows, to avoid carbon monoxide.
- Store fuel safely and rotate it.
- Keep a working CO detector on every level of the home.
- After an outage, check for tripped breakers and call an electrician if anything was damaged; see electrical repair.
Winter Outages and Heat
In a Spokane winter, the most important thing a generator does is keep the heat on. Gas furnaces need electricity for their blower and controls; without it, the house cools fast and pipes can freeze. A small portable generator with an interlock can run a gas furnace, refrigerator, a few lights and internet. Heat pumps and electric furnaces use far more power, so homes heated electrically need a much larger generator or a plan for alternate heat. Wood stoves and pellet stoves with battery backup are other options many Inland Northwest homes use.
If you leave during a winter outage, shut off the water and drain the lines, or keep enough heat on to protect them.
Transfer Switches vs. Interlocks
Both prevent backfeeding, but they work differently. An interlock is a mechanical plate on your main panel that physically prevents the main breaker and a generator breaker from being on together; you choose which circuits to run by switching breakers. A manual transfer switch moves selected circuits to a small subpanel fed by the generator. An automatic transfer switch, used with standby generators, senses an outage, starts the generator and switches the load on its own.
| Option | Best for |
|---|---|
| Interlock kit + inlet | Portable generators, flexible circuit choice, lower cost |
| Manual transfer switch | Portable generators, simple essential-circuit setup |
| Automatic transfer switch | Standby generators, hands-off operation |
What Affects the Cost of Generator Installation
Portable generator hookups are the least expensive option: an inlet, an interlock or transfer switch, and wiring. Standby generators cost more for the unit, the pad, the transfer switch, the gas or propane line, and permits. Larger units, longer runs, panel upgrades and load management add cost. Get a written quote that lists the generator size, what it will power and what’s included. If your panel is old or full, a panel upgrade may come first, and if storm damage started the conversation, see electrical repair.
Planning Your Backup Power
Start by deciding what you need during an outage. For many Spokane homes, the essentials are the gas furnace, refrigerator, freezer, a few lights, internet and a phone charger. Rural homes add the well pump. Homes with medical devices, sump pumps or home offices add those. With that list, an electrician can recommend a portable generator size with an interlock, or a standby unit with automatic transfer. Think about fuel too: natural gas runs indefinitely if service stays on, while propane and gasoline need storage and refilling. Finally, consider placement: where will the generator sit, how far is it from the inlet or transfer switch, and how will you reach it in snow?
Using a Portable Generator Safely
- Set it up outside, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents, and never in a garage or crawlspace.
- Use a heavy-duty cord rated for the load, run to the generator inlet, not through a window.
- Turn off the main breaker before switching on generator power through an interlock.
- Start with the furnace and refrigerator, then add loads gradually.
- Let the engine cool before refueling, and store fuel away from the house.
- Test the setup before storm season, ideally in daylight, so you’re not learning it in the dark during a storm.
FAQ
Generator Questions
How much generator do I need?
It depends on what you want to power. Essentials like a furnace, fridge and well pump need much less than whole-house backup with electric heat. An electrician can size it.
Do I need a permit for a generator in Spokane?
Yes, the electrical connection requires a permit, and standby units may need gas and placement approvals too.
Can I plug my generator into my house?
Only through a proper inlet with a transfer switch or interlock installed by an electrician. Never backfeed through an outlet.
Is a standby generator worth it in Spokane?
For homes that have gone days without power, rely on a well or medical equipment, or work from home, many owners find it worthwhile.
Where can a standby generator go?
Outside on a pad, with clearances from openings and property lines set by code and the manufacturer. The installer will recommend a location.
How long can a standby generator run?
On natural gas, as long as gas service continues. On propane, it depends on tank size and load.
Can a generator run my heat pump?
Only a generator sized for it. Heat pumps and electric heat use a lot of power, so many owners rely on gas heat or alternate heat during outages.
How loud is a standby generator?
Modern standby units are quieter than many portables, but placement matters. Check local rules and HOA restrictions.
Should I get a battery instead of a generator?
Batteries are quiet and work well for shorter outages and essential loads. Generators can run longer on fuel. Some homes use both.
Can I use my generator during a summer wildfire outage?
Yes, with the same safety rules: outside, away from openings, connected through an inlet and interlock or transfer switch. Watch for fire danger around hot exhaust.
Do generators need maintenance?
Yes. Standby generators need periodic service like oil changes and battery checks, and portable units should be started and run under load a few times a year so they’re ready when a storm hits.
Want backup power? Talk to a licensed electrician.
One free call connects you with an independent electrician that installs generators in Spokane.
How the referral works