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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Our Customers Say About Us

4.9 Google Rating

We had the best experience with Ted's. They had someone at our house the next morning when our air conditioning went out. Kendall was professional, super friendly and a delight to work with. Such a great experience, we signed up for the maintenance plan.

Sallie Schissler

2 days ago

Thorough and professional service. acknowledgable and courteous

Tamatha Ward

3 days ago

Mr. Corona (Jose) was excellent!! He explained everything in detail. Professional. Any potential problems. Highly recommended

Peggy Ellis

3 days ago

Jose did a great job!! Very good service and very friendly! We’ll informed on issues and repair needs 👍👍👍

Mary Catherine Cole

5 days ago

Thank you to Ted's for being an amazing company!! We bought the membership on the last visit. The next day they contacted me to set up my maintenance for HVAC and electrical. My experience from the operator to the technicians has been amazing! They explain everything to me and make me feel like they care and not just trying to sell me a product. Today Kendall and Omar were fantastic, they walked me through everything and showed me everything. Thanks again to Ted's, also to Kendall, Omar, Grant and Daniel!!

Ray Hunt

5 days ago

Corey King came out this afternoon and was polite, kind and knowledgeable. He and the other service person quickly repaired my ductwork, cleaned up. Both were a delight. Such a great couple of guys! Thanks for such good service with a smile!

Chuck Link

6 days ago

Ted’s technicians are great! Love you guys! Very professional and respectful!

Natalie Tapley-Burnett

6 days ago

He was very nice, his work was clean. He didn't make me feel pressured to do more than I could afford. He provided many options and was very helpful. I would definitely use him again, he is my new plumber!! We had a new HVAC system put in. From start to finish, everyone was amazing. Very clean, professional and great work.

Helena Wilkerson

7 days ago

Jose the technician came out to one of the properties I manage to inspect our HVAC unit and recommend servicing. Jose is kind and professional. His communication is clear and thorough which is the experience I've had consistently with Ted's HVAC. Obed was the name of the other technician who also came out and was a pleasure to meet. both these guys know what they're doing and I can't recommend Ted's HVAC enough. they're my go-to folks who do a clean and efficient job and stick to their estimates.

Husein Noorani

7 days ago

Did an awesome job, very professional, friendly, Godly, The best service I have seen in in a long time

Peggy Mcdaniel

1 week ago

I had Chris Hayes come out to my house to do an evaluation of my HVAC System. Chris was very thorough and explained everything to me in detail. The communication throughout this whole visit has been top of the line and I’m so glad I chose to call Ted’s. Highly Recommend!

Lemmie Lunsford

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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