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

This was a Ted’s Club plumbing visit (no charge) for our plan. Nathan was good as gold. Adjusted our Ted's installed shower, no extra charge. 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ experience. Honest, thorough, forthright, personable. Estimate in hand for near future work. So satisfied.

Terry M

3 days ago

We originally expected a 2 day install for both Air and Heating systems (2 each) but Ted’s sent out 2 crews to have it completed in one day. They were so pleasant to work with. Seth introduced the crew and explained the process thoroughly, making sure they answered questions throughout the day and keeping us posted of the progress. He was very patient with explaining things over again until we understood completely. The team worked very well together. We heard them communicating with each other, brainstorming at times, and complimenting each other. Very respectful. They didn’t finish until after 6pm on Friday and at no time did we feel they were rushing to leave. The full crew consisted of Seth, Chris, cam and Lesman. They all deserve a 5 star rating. We are very happy with the service we’ve experienced with all of Ted’s crews so far. We’ve only been a customer for a few months but it’s been a Very good first impression. Thank you

Elaine Graham

3 days ago

Waiting for a motor to come in so it can be installed in the air handler.. it is 21 degrees this morning and we are doing the best we can to stay warm . Hope it comes in today and it gets installed. Cold weather expected all weekend. Ivan was nice and was very knowledgeable..

ronnie shepard

3 days ago

Plumbing maintenance. Thorough, gracious, able to explain findings in understandable terms. Worked well to address clients concerns

Mary Ann Turner

4 days ago

Daniel was very professional and explained everything he was doing. They went above and beyond to work me in and fix my daughters shower while she was in the hospital having a baby.

Sheila Long

4 days ago

Friendly and professional

Kimberly Humphrey

4 days ago

Just had my plumbing inspection and review with Nathan. He did very thorough job and found two issues with my hot water heater that needed to be brought up to code. Important when one lives in a 75 year old home. Ted’s service as usual was top notch. Great group of technicians and I recommend them highly!

Janet Lehr

5 days ago

The service I received today is my initial plumbing inspection. My inspector Daniel was courteous, and professional. He did a very thorough inspection. He was eager to answer all questions and gave good advice. I haven’t seen customer service like this for many years! I highly recommend Ted’s HVAC Service.

Roy McMillan

5 days ago

DAVID was wonderful. Was very easy to talk to and kept things simple so that I could understand it. He was also willing to work with me on my timeline. He also helped explain the financing very well which made me more comfortable. He’s a great guy!

christopher ragland

5 days ago

Paul Foster came and checked our hvac unit and everything checked fine. We had purchased new filters which he installed for us as well! Excellent service and very friendly technician!! We have had nothing but excellent customer service with every thing we’ve done with Ted’s! Good Job guys!!!!

Barry Garrett

6 days ago

James was polite, attentive, easy to talk with, & explained everything really well. I felt confident that he was satisfied that my unit is functioning as it should. He suggested it has a good cleaning done in the spring, which I will follow up on. The price will be very reasonable. I'm grateful for his time, knowledge & friendly service! Carrie Miller

Carrie Miller

6 days 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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