What Is a Whole-Home Generator and How Does It Work?

A whole-home generator automatically powers your home during a utility outage. It connects directly to your home’s electrical panel and typically runs on natural gas or propane. Within seconds of losing power, it kicks on to keep lights, appliances, and HVAC systems running.

How Is a Whole-Home Generator Different From a Portable One?

Whole-home generators are permanently installed and can power your entire home automatically. Portable generators require manual setup, limited fuel, and only support select appliances. The convenience, safety, and capacity of whole-home systems make them ideal for long-term reliability.

What Size Generator Do I Need for My Home?

The right size depends on your home’s square footage and the appliances or systems you want to power. Most homes need a generator between 14–22 kilowatts for full coverage. A licensed electrician can calculate your exact power needs and recommend the appropriate model.

Does a Whole-Home Generator Turn On Automatically?

Yes, whole-home generators have automatic transfer switches that detect outages and start the generator within seconds. This ensures continuous power without you needing to lift a finger. When utility power returns, the system shuts off and switches back seamlessly.

Can a Whole-Home Generator Power My HVAC System?

Absolutely—one of the major benefits of a whole-home generator is its ability to support high-demand systems like air conditioning and heating. This keeps your home comfortable even during extended outages. Make sure the unit is sized correctly to handle your HVAC load.

How Often Does a Whole-Home Generator Need Maintenance?

Most generators should be serviced at least once a year, or after every 100–200 hours of use. Regular maintenance includes oil changes, filter replacements, and system checks. Many systems also perform self-tests weekly to ensure they’re ready when needed.

Is a Whole-Home Generator a Good Investment?

Yes, especially in areas with frequent storms or unreliable power. It protects your food, electronics, and comfort while also increasing your home’s value. Many homeowners find peace of mind alone makes it worth the investment.

What Fuel Types Can Be Used for Whole-Home Generators?

Whole-home generators typically run on natural gas or propane, with some models also supporting diesel. Natural gas is convenient if your home already has a line, while propane is great for rural areas with large storage tanks. The fuel choice affects installation and operating costs.

Durham Whole-Home Generators

Power Your Home With Confidence

Whether it’s storm season or an unexpected outage, a whole-home generator gives your family the comfort and safety you deserve. In Durham, having backup power is more than a luxury—it’s peace of mind. Ted’s HVAC, Plumbing, & Electrical installs dependable whole-home generators that integrate with your electrical system to automatically turn on when the power goes out. No more spoiled food, dead devices, or freezing nights. Along with seamless power restoration, many of our generator systems include built-in electrical/surge-protection/”>surge protection—offering an added layer of security for your home’s electrical system. Keep life running smoothly in Durham with a professionally installed generator.

Our Whole-Home Generator Services

We provide a full range of services to ensure your whole-home generator is ready when you need it most. From installation to maintenance and repairs, we are dedicated to delivering reliable solutions. Keep your home powered during outages with our expert services tailored to your needs.

Whole-Home Generator Installation — Installing a whole-home generator ensures your entire house stays powered during an outage. We assess your electrical needs to recommend the perfect unit for your home and provide seamless installation.
Generator Maintenance — Regular maintenance helps prevent costly breakdowns and ensures your generator works efficiently. Our team performs thorough inspections and necessary tune-ups to extend the life of your system.
Generator Repair — If your generator isn’t working correctly, we’re here to diagnose and fix the issue quickly. We handle all types of repairs, from minor adjustments to more complex fixes, so your generator runs smoothly.
Transfer Switch Installation — A transfer switch automatically switches the power to your generator during an outage. We install and set up these systems to ensure an immediate response and hassle-free power restoration.
Generator Load Testing — Testing your generator’s load capacity ensures it will run effectively when needed. We perform comprehensive load tests to confirm your generator is ready for any situation.

To see what Ted's can do for you, call us and schedule today!

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919-823-7344

Why Choose Ted’s For Whole-Home Generators?

Ted’s HVAC, Plumbing, & Electrical offers more than just high-quality generator services; we provide peace of mind. Our skilled technicians are dedicated to ensuring that your home stays powered during unexpected outages. We offer personalized service tailored to your home’s specific needs and always prioritize your safety. With our trusted team, you can rest assured knowing you’re getting reliable and efficient generator solutions.

Tailored Solutions for Your Home — We take the time to assess your home’s power needs and recommend the best whole-home generator. Our personalized approach ensures that your generator installation fits your home perfectly.
Full Range of Services — From installation to maintenance and repair, we provide complete generator services. No matter what your generator needs, our team has the expertise to get the job done right.
Attention to Detail — Every job we take on is handled with precision and care. Our technicians go above and beyond to make sure everything from the generator installation to the transfer switch is correctly set up.
Trustworthy Advice — We offer clear, honest advice about the best generator options for your home. Our team helps you make informed decisions so you can invest in the right generator for your needs.
Thorough Workmanship — Our technicians ensure that all aspects of your generator installation or repair are completed with the utmost attention to detail. We follow industry best practices and guarantee that your system will operate efficiently.

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What Our Customers Say About Us

4.9 Google Rating

Justin M. Performed our HVAC preventative maintenance today! Ted’s delivers excellence again! Well Done, Justin!

Dave Cline

4 days ago

We love working with Ted’s. They are reliable, trustworthy, and professional. Paul and Jose were the most recent technician to perform our maintenance visits and they were excellent. We highly recommend Ted’s!

The Robertsons

4 days ago

As a homeowner, I really depend on honest, dependable service and Ted's is and has always been very responsive to any and all repairs for my home. So nice to work with those you trust! LJ and Sam came out to move my water filter from the crawlspace to the garage! So much easier for me to change it now!!

Kim Mitchell

5 days ago

It was a pleasure to have Justin McCowan work on our HVAC thermostat issues. He explained issues in terms we were able to understand. He ordered a new thermostat to replace the faulty one. He replaced as soon as new thermostat became available. Justin explained that parts and labor were covered by the warranty. He also encouraged us to call with any additional questions or concerns. Justin is very thorough and professional.

Sharon Beaver

5 days ago

Justin did a fantastic job servicing my system! He was knowledgeable and skilled, and also personable and kind! He carefully explained what he was doing every step of the way. He appropriately set my expectations for when I could expect the part to be received and the final repair to be done. He was respectful of my home, and while he was very entertaining to talk to, his conversation did not interfere with the work he was there to do. He was very efficient And professional. His brother Christian also works for Ted’s and has done a service call for me, and his level of service is just as good as his brothers. In fact, in the years since Ted’s installed my system, every technician they have sent out has been exceptional. In the five years since they have installed my 3-zone Variable-speed Trane heat pump, their level of support has been incredible.

James Ladd

6 days ago

Kail was excellent very polite and informative ...Also I tried send a message about the nice Guys that did the install they were really nice and helpful did an excellent job please let them know thanks so much!!😄😄😄😄😄

Aundrea Riggs

6 days ago

I met the technician at my home for my yearly HVAC inspection. I felt he understood the system. There was one item that need to be cleaned and he did so. I would use Teds HVAC again.

Terri Reynolds

1 week ago

Jose was great! Kept me informed as to what he was doing/suggesting and why. I appreciated how he used photos to show me what needed changing and why. Above and beyond.

Argie Burnette

1 week ago

Grant was absolutely fabulous. Took care of our issue quickly and professionally! Very courteous and explained every step of the process. Will definitely rely on them again! Jose came to assist and was just as courteous and knowledgeable.

Terry Donnenwirth

1 week ago

The guys at Ted's were able to get us a new system installed before the summer heat started kicking in. They had requoted a system that we were looking at last year and once we decided to move forward we they were at our house in a few days. The installation crew was at the house for two days and they were very friendly and knowledgeable. They replaced our old system and added zoning for the upstairs and downstairs. They made sure to clean up and were quick to answer questions if we had any. If you're looking for a new system or just annual maintenance I highly recommend using Ted's.

Tyler Whitmore

1 week ago

Corey and Kael did an excellent job, teds always has the friendliest and nicest technicians!!

Robert Giacomelli

1 week ago

So happy to have worked with Chris and Seth. Chris was so helpful and was done with creating an order in no time. Great service! Seth installed our new HVAC unit while being so friendly and courteous. Equipment runs well.

Anette Wade

1 week ago

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Your home deserves top-quality care from experts who prioritize your comfort and safety. Whether you need a fast repair, a system upgrade, or routine maintenance, our skilled team is here to deliver reliable solutions with unmatched professionalism. We take the time to understand your needs and provide services that enhance efficiency, performance, and long-term savings. With a commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction, we ensure every job is done right the first time. Experience the difference of expert service—contact us today to schedule your appointment!

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