When the power goes out around Palos Hills, a generator keeps the lights, the refrigerator, the furnace and the sump pump running. Reed Electrical installs Kohler standby whole-home generators and sets up Duramax portable generators the right way, with the electrical connection done by a licensed electrician. Call (708) 837-9993 for a free estimate.
- Front of the line pass
- Extended service hours from 7 AM to 7 PM
- Diagnostic fees waived
- Annual whole-home electrical safety inspection
Standby or Portable: Which Generator Fits Your Home?
Most homeowners ask us this first. Here is the short version:
- Kohler standby generator: installed outside your home and wired in permanently. When the power goes out, it starts on its own and switches your house over, whether you are home or not.
- Duramax portable generator: a lower-cost option you roll out and start when you need it. We install a proper connection so you can power the circuits that matter, with no extension cords running through the house.
We look at your home, your panel and what you want to keep running, and tell you straight which one makes sense.
Kohler Standby Generators for Whole-Home Backup
A standby generator is the set-it-and-forget-it option. We install Kohler standby whole-home generators along with the transfer switch that moves your house from utility power to generator power and back again.
Before anything goes in, we check whether your electrical panel can handle it. If your home is still on older 100-amp service or the panel is corroded, we may recommend a panel upgrade first, and we will explain why.
Spring and summer are our busiest months, so it pays to schedule a generator install before storm season.
Duramax Portable Generators, Connected the Safe Way
If a standby unit is more than you need, a Duramax portable generator can carry the essentials through an outage. The key is connecting it safely. Running a house on extension cords, or backfeeding power through an outlet, is dangerous for your family and for the utility crews working on the lines.
We install the right connection and transfer equipment so you can switch over to generator power safely and keep the circuits you choose running.
How a Generator Install Works With Us
- You call us. We take your information and set up a free estimate.
- A licensed electrician comes out. We look at your home, your panel and where the generator will go, and talk through standby versus portable.
- You get your estimate, usually the same day or within 24 hours.
- You approve it. We take a 50% deposit and put you on the schedule.
- We do the install, then test everything, make sure everything is working perfectly, clean up and confirm you are happy with the work.
- We send the final bill once the job is done.
Why Homeowners Around Palos Hills Call Reed Electrical
Reed Electrical has served the Chicagoland suburbs since 2017 from our home base in Palos Hills. We are licensed in Illinois, insured, and accredited by the Better Business Bureau.
All of our installs come with a lifetime craftsmanship warranty, in writing, covering our workmanship. We are upfront about price, and we offer financing through Wisetack and Klarna, or you can pay by credit card, Zelle, cash or check.
Common Questions About Generators
Do I need a standby generator or a portable one?
It comes down to how much of the house you want running and how hands-off you want it to be. A Kohler standby generator covers the whole home and starts on its own. A Duramax portable costs less and covers the essentials, but you have to set it up when the power goes out. We will walk through both at the free estimate.
Do I need a transfer switch?
Yes. A transfer switch, or an approved interlock for a portable generator, keeps your house safely separated from the utility lines while the generator runs. It protects your equipment and the line workers restoring power. The right transfer equipment is part of every generator install we do.
Can my electrical panel handle a generator?
Often yes, but not always. Older panels, corroded panels and homes still on 100-amp service may need work first. We check your panel during the estimate and tell you if anything has to change before the generator goes in. If it does, we handle the panel upgrade too.
Should I add surge protection at the same time?
It is a good pairing. Storms and the switch between utility and generator power can send surges through your wiring. We install Siemens whole-home surge protectors at the panel, and it often makes sense to add one while we are already working there.
Generator Installation Across the Southwest Suburbs
We install generators from our Palos Hills home base out to nearby Hickory Hills, Justice, Bridgeview and Worth, east to Oak Lawn, Chicago Ridge, Evergreen Park, Burbank and Summit, and south to Alsip, Crestwood, Midlothian and Orland Park. Call (708) 837-9993 to set up a free estimate.
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