Generator Guide
#1 Prestige Dealer in the NorthEast
Generator Buying Guide for New Jersey & Pennsylvania Homes and Businesses
Power outages are unpredictable. A summer thunderstorm, winter ice event, or utility failure can leave your home or business without electricity for hours, or even days. The right generator helps protect your property, keeps essential systems running, and provides peace of mind when the power goes out.
Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. has provided residential and commercial generator sales, installation, maintenance, and repair throughout New Jersey for more than 45 years. We’re now bringing that same expertise to homes and businesses in eastern Pennsylvania. This backup generator buying guide walks you through how generators work, the difference between portable and standby units, and how to choose the from popular generator models.
Key Takeaways
- Portable generators are great for short-term outdoor use, while standby units power your property automatically.
- An automatic transfer switch detects an outage and switches your system to generate power automatically.
- Generator size should be based on the electrical loads you want to power, and homes and businesses have different backup power priorities.
- Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. designs, sells, installs, and maintains commercial and residential backup generators across New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania.
How Do Generators Work?
A generator converts fuel into electricity for your property. The engine burns fuel to turn an alternator, producing the same current that powers your circuit. Every unit needs a fuel source, such as gasoline, liquid propane, or natural gas, a connection to your wiring, and a transfer switch.
A standby generator relies on an automatic transfer switch to work automatically. The switch constantly monitors your incoming power. When it senses an outage, it disconnects your property from the grid and starts the generator. When your power returns, the switch hooks you back up to the electrical grid and shuts the generator down.
Planning for Portability
Portable generators, such as the Generac GP series, provide temporary power during short outages or while camping or tailgating. These units typically run on gasoline and range from 1,700 to 8,000 watts. They can power a handful of appliances at a time, like a portable fridge or a set of lights. Because they have an onboard gas tank, they need to run outdoors to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. You also need to manually start them, refuel them, and plug them in whenever you need power.
Standby generators are permanently installed outside your home or business. They automatically detect power outages and restore electricity. They are ideal for:
- Whole-home backup
- Businesses that cannot afford downtime
- Homes with sump pumps or medical equipment
- Properties in areas that experience frequent outages
Although they cost more upfront than portable generators, they connect to a natural gas or propane line, so you don’t need to refuel them. This often makes them more convenient and reliable long-term than portable options.
While Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. doesn’t sell portable generators, we can install them. If you bought one from another supplier, our licensed electricians will set it up for you, including transfer switches and inlet boxes.
Stationary Generators for Home Use
A standby, or stationary, residential generator gives you the most seamless power experience. Once it’s wired into your home’s electrical panel, it starts automatically the moment power goes out, with no cords, no flashlight, and no scrambling to charge your phone.
Standby systems generally fall into two categories. An essential circuit system powers essential circuits, like the fridge, sump pump, and a few lights. A whole-home system supplies enough power for every outlet and appliance in your home, including your HVAC system.
Generator size is measured in kilowatts (kW), and the right size depends on your home’s square footage and the number of circuits you want to power. Some of the most popular options for residential generators include:
- Generac Guardian Series 10kW: This powers up to 10 essential circuits, such as the fridge, stove, other major appliances, and lighting.
- Generac Guardian Series 14 kW: This is recommended for homes up to 2,000 square feet and covers up to 12 circuits.
- Generac Guardian Series 18 kW: This is suited for homes up to 3,000 square feet and powers 16 circuits, which is enough to run the air conditioning while you cook and watch TV.
Before choosing a generator, you need to think about which systems are essential if your power goes out for a day or a week. Do you want to keep your heating and cooling system running? Do you care about having a working kitchen or Wi-Fi? Do you have a pool or sump pump that always needs to run? Our technicians walk through these questions with you during a load assessment, so you can find a system sized for your needs.
Permanent Power for Your Business
A power outage doesn’t just inconvenience your business. It can shut it down entirely. Whether you run a retail storefront, a medical office, or a business-to-business (B2B) company, a backup generator keeps your business open and operating, even when the grid goes down.
Planning ahead is more important for businesses than for homeowners, since downtime results in lost revenue. A properly sized generator lets your employees keep working, protects your inventory, and keeps your building secure, regardless of how long the outage lasts.
Instead of attempting to power every piece of equipment, many businesses prioritize essential operations that allow them to continue serving customers during an outage. Most commercial properties choose refrigeration, security systems, servers and IT systems, and lighting.
The most common commercial generators we install are:
- Generac Guardian Series 22kW: This is suited for spaces up to 4,000 square feet, making it ideal for larger homes or small businesses that need to keep sump pumps, servers, and alarm systems running.
- Generac Guardian Series 24kW: This is sufficient for a 5,000-square-foot space. It keeps lighting, HVAC, and a full suite of office technology online so employees can work through an outage without disruption.
Because every business is different, we recommend a professional load assessment before you invest in a system. That way, your generator is sized to your equipment and operations, and you don’t pay for more than you need.
Why Choose Corbin Electrical Services for Your Generator Service?
A generator is only as good as the assessment, installation, and upkeep behind it. If you choose a system that isn’t powerful enough, you’ll be left without enough power for the things you need most. Additionally, poor installation creates safety risks and voids warranties, while skipping routine maintenance can leave you without a functioning generator when you need it most.
At Corbin Electrical Services, Inc., our residential and commercial technicians handle the entire process, so nothing gets left to chance:
- Professional load assessment: Our team evaluates your property’s power needs before recommending a system.
- Licensed installation: Every unit is installed to code and tested on-site. We’ll even explain how to use it correctly and safely before we leave.
- Ongoing maintenance: Routine checkups catch small issues before they become costly repairs.
- Remote monitoring: Generac’s Mobile Link System and our home monitoring package keep you informed of your generator’s status around the clock.
We’re a Generac Factory Authorized Power Pro Premier Dealer, which is Generac’s highest dealer certification, and Home Depot’s Authorized Service Provider for Generators. Our factory-certified mechanics bring more than four decades of electrical expertise to every job, whether it’s a single-family home or a multi-location business.
Contact Us
Choosing the right generator doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you want to avoid a fridge full of spoiled food or keep your business running through the next storm, Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. is here for you. Our team can recommend a system for your property and walk you through every step, from sizing to installation to long-term maintenance.
We proudly serve homes and businesses throughout our expanded generator service area of New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Corbin Electrical Services – “We Generate Peace of Mind”
Frequently Asked Questions About Residential and Commercial Generators
How does a standby generator work?
A standby generator automatically starts when utility power fails. An automatic transfer switch safely transfers electrical service from the utility to the generator until normal power is restored.
What’s the difference between a portable and a standby generator?
A portable generator is manually operated and refilled and is best suited for short-term or outdoor power needs. A standby generator connects to your property and starts automatically during an outage, without any action from you.
How do I know what size generator I need?
Generator size depends on the electrical loads you want to operate during an outage. A professional load assessment is the best way to determine the correct capacity.
Can a backup generator power my entire home?
Yes. Whole-home standby generators can power nearly every circuit if they’re properly sized. Other systems supply power to only essential circuits.
What’s the benefit of a natural gas generator over a gasoline unit?
A natural gas generator connects directly to your existing gas line, so it never needs to be refueled and can run for as long as the outage lasts. Gasoline units are limited by tank size and require you to refuel them by hand.
How often should a backup generator be serviced?
Standby generators benefit from routine maintenance visits. Regular checkups catch worn parts, low fluid levels, and wiring issues before they cause a failure.