What size generator do I need for my house?

Most Northern Virginia homes land between 14kW and 26kW depending on what you back up. Essentials-only setups can run on 10kW or a portable with an interlock kit; adding central AC, a well pump, or an EV charger moves you into 18–26kW territory. Buri Electric confirms exact sizing with an NEC load calculation on site.

Natural gas or propane — which is better for a standby generator?

A natural gas line usually wins: unlimited runtime and no tank to fill, provided the meter and line capacity are verified for full generator load. Homes without gas service typically use a 250–500 gallon propane tank, which provides several days of runtime.

Do I need a permit to install a generator in Northern Virginia?

Yes. Standby generators require electrical and typically gas permits plus county inspection, and placement must meet setback and clearance rules. Buri Electric handles all permitting and inspections as part of every installation.

Can a smaller generator cover a whole home?

Often yes — smart load-management modules briefly shed heavy loads like AC and EV chargers when the generator nears capacity, so a 14–22kW unit can protect the whole panel at a lower installed cost.

How long does generator installation take?

Most installations take one to two days on site once equipment and permits are in hand, followed by county inspection and startup.

⚡ Buri Electric · Licensed & Insured Since 2009

Standby Generator Installation
in Northern Virginia

When the next storm knocks out the grid, your home shouldn’t even notice. We size, permit, and install automatic standby generators across Northern Virginia, Maryland & the DC Metro — turnkey, to code, done right.

Size My Generator ↓ Call 571-354-0895

$55 on-site assessment — credited toward your installation.

Why a Standby Generator

Automatic Backup Power for Your Whole Home

Northern Virginia’s summer thunderstorms, derechos, and winter ice storms don’t send a calendar invite. A permanently installed standby generator senses the outage and restores power in seconds — no extension cords, no gas cans, no being home. Buri Electric handles everything: load calculation, gas coordination, county permits, the automatic transfer switch, and startup.

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Seconds, Not Hours

The automatic transfer switch detects the outage and starts your generator in about 10 seconds — even when you’re away.

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Sized to Your Home

We size to your actual loads — HVAC, well pump, sump, EV charger — not a one-size-fits-all guess. Use the sizing tool below to see where you land.

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Permitted & Inspected

Full county permitting and inspection in Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Arlington & beyond. Licensed electrical contractor since 2009.

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Turnkey Install

Pad, gas hookup coordination, transfer switch, wiring, startup, and a walkthrough of your new system — one contractor, one schedule.

Free Sizing Tool

What Size Generator Do I Need?

Check off what you want running during an outage. We’ll total the running watts, account for motor starting surge, add proper headroom, and recommend a standby size — with the full itemized math shown below.

⚡ Generator Sizing Calculator

Estimates for planning. Exact sizing is confirmed at your $55 on-site assessment with a NEC load calculation.

1 What’s your backup goal?

Pick a starting point — then fine-tune the checklist.

2 What should stay on?

Running / starting watts shown are typical values.

Essentials

Comfort & Kitchen

Heavy Loads

3 Fuel available at your home

Natural gas line Existing propane tank Need a propane tank Not sure

4 Main electrical panel size

100A 150A 200A Not sure

Estimates use typical appliance wattages and include ~25% sizing headroom per manufacturer guidance. Final generator sizing is confirmed with an NEC Article 220 load calculation at your on-site assessment. Need exact numbers now? Try our Residential Load Calculator.

How It Works

From Assessment to Automatic Power

$55 Site Assessment

We verify loads, gas capacity, placement clearances, and panel condition — the $55 is credited toward your installation.

Fixed Written Quote

Exact generator size, transfer switch, gas scope, and permit costs — no allowances, no surprises.

Permit & Install

We pull county permits, set the pad, run gas and electrical, and mount the automatic transfer switch. Most installs take 1–2 days on site.

Inspection & Startup

County inspection, utility coordination, full-load test, and a walkthrough — plus your maintenance schedule.

Investment

What Does It Typically Cost?

Every home is different — gas line length, panel condition, and placement drive the final number. These are typical installed ranges in the DMV market; your fixed quote comes after the $55 assessment.

Essentials Backup

From $1,500

Portable generator inlet + interlock kit. You start the generator; it powers your critical circuits safely — no back-feed risk.

Managed Whole-Home

$10,000–$16,000

14–22kW automatic standby with smart load management — whole-home coverage at a right-sized price.

Full Whole-Home

$14,000–$20,000+

24–26kW+ standby sized to run everything at once, including large HVAC and EV charging.

Questions

Generator FAQ

Most Northern Virginia homes land between 14kW and 26kW depending on what you back up. Essentials-only setups (refrigerator, sump pump, furnace fan, lights) can run on 10kW or even a portable with an interlock kit. Add central air conditioning, a well pump, or an EV charger and you move into 18–26kW territory. Use the sizing calculator above for an estimate — we confirm with an NEC load calculation on site.

If your home has a natural gas line, that’s usually the answer: unlimited runtime and no tank to fill. We verify your gas meter and line capacity can feed the generator at full load — an often-missed step. No gas service? A 250–500 gallon propane tank works well and typically provides several days of runtime.

Yes — standby generators require electrical (and typically mechanical/gas) permits plus county inspection everywhere we work, and placement must meet setback and clearance rules. We handle all permitting and inspections as part of every installation.

Often, yes. Smart load-management modules shed heavy loads like AC, dryers, and EV chargers for a few moments when the generator is near capacity — so a 14–22kW unit can protect the whole panel without paying for peak capacity you rarely use. It’s frequently the best value, and we’ll show you both options in your quote.

Once the generator and permit are in hand, most installations take one to two days on site, followed by county inspection and startup. Lead time for equipment varies by size and season — storm seasons book up fast, so sizing early is smart.

Ready When the Grid Isn’t

Never Lose Power Again

Get your sizing estimate above, then book your $55 on-site assessment — credited toward your installation. Tesla Certified. Licensed & insured. Serving Northern Virginia, Maryland & DC since 2009.

Request My Installation Quote Call 571-354-0895

Standby Generator Installationin Northern Virginia