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

Everything went well. We were happy with the outcome.

Gail Wunsch

5 days ago

I want to give extra kudos to Kendall and Grant. They were very personable and courteous. They explained the entire process prior to assessing the various issues with my HVAC units. I never felt pressured or like they were trying to just “sale” me. Definitely one of my best experiences with HVAC techs.

Andrew Mack

5 days ago

Nathan is extremely professional & knowledgeable with plumbing. He checked everything that he was supposed to:in and under our home. Even tested our water. He came back with several plans on what should be upgraded and taken into serious consideration. We chose a plan and had the tank with bladder replaced. He had one in his truck. All plans were presented on an iPad and then emailed. There was no pressure sale to do anything. Plumbing is pricey, but in range of expectations. Nathan replaced the tank. The whole process beginning to end was 6 hours. It was a pleasure to work with him. The office is also very imformative and easy to work with. Thank you.

Dianna Spellman

6 days ago

Antonio was very professional and friendly and showed up on time and completed the maintenance task quickly. 5 star service experience. No surprises- very friendly and professional. Would definitely recommend Teds HVAC service

William Spellman

6 days ago

Kendall was very professional and knowledgeable.

Ron Stoute

6 days ago

New update: Omar came by today for a malfunctioning heat pump. Very friendly and explained every part of the plan and what he found along the way. The diagnosis was low refrigerant or whatever the proper term is for heat pumps. My question is why wasn't the level checked when the annual maintenance determined one the Schrader valve cores was bad? And is refrigerant really $600? Overall happy with the professionalism and work, but not keen on the price.

Greg Parrott

1 week ago

We recently had our biannual HVAC maintenance service completed by Kendall, who was both friendly and highly knowledgeable. He invited us to walk through the inspection with him, clearly explaining his findings and why they mattered. Given that our units are 10 years old, there were several issues to review. At the end of the visit, he took the time to thoroughly go over everything he found and offered thoughtful, well-reasoned recommendations without any pressure to choose one solution over another. When we mentioned that we were also exploring alternative options, he was supportive and emphasized that he was available to help in any way we needed. We appreciated his honesty and felt that his recommendations were grounded in safety, practicality, and a clear understanding of our priorities.

Cheryl Nardi

1 week ago

Was very nice and explained everything to me so I understood him. Got the work done in a timely fashion and was very professional.

Bubba Haywood

1 week ago

Kendall came out to troubleshoot our heating system. He was a great communicator and very thorough in troubleshooting the problem.

Michelle B

1 week ago

Great experience with Seth & Opie! Would recommend Ted’s to anyone. Friendly & just a good group of people!

Jamie Webster

1 week ago

Omar did a wonderful job checking out my AC units and giving me advice on maintenance! Many thanks!

Lori Slack

2 weeks ago

James very courteous, knowledgeable, and professional.

Terry Carden

2 weeks 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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