Power outages in Aiken can happen anytime—from summer thunderstorms knocking down power lines to winter ice storms disrupting the grid. While portable generators offer temporary relief, whole-home standby generators provide seamless, automatic backup power that keeps your entire home running without lifting a finger. Here's everything you need to know about choosing, sizing, and installing a standby generator for your Aiken home.
How Standby Generators Work
Unlike portable generators that require manual setup, fueling, and connection, standby generators are permanent installations that automatically detect power outages and restore electricity within seconds. Here's how they work:
Automatic Operation
Standby generators continuously monitor your home's electrical supply through an automatic transfer switch (ATS). The moment the ATS detects a power outage—whether you're home or away—it signals the generator to start. Within 10-30 seconds, the generator reaches full power and the transfer switch safely disconnects your home from the utility grid and connects it to generator power.
When utility power returns, the ATS automatically transfers your home back to grid power, and the generator runs a brief cool-down cycle before shutting off. You don't need to be home, you don't need to flip switches, and you don't need to refuel—everything happens automatically.
Permanent Installation
Standby generators are permanently installed outside your home on a concrete pad, similar to a central air conditioning unit. They're hardwired into your home's electrical system and connected to either your natural gas line or a large propane tank.
This permanent setup means your generator is always ready, always fueled, and always protecting your home—even when you're on vacation or at work.
Fuel Source
Most residential standby generators in Aiken run on natural gas or propane. These fuel sources are delivered automatically through utility lines or stored in large tanks, eliminating the need to store gasoline or diesel. Generators run for days or weeks during extended outages without refueling.
Sizing Your Generator: Whole-Home vs. Essential Circuits
The most important decision when choosing a standby generator is determining how much power you need. Generators are sized in kilowatts (kW), and you have two basic approaches:
Whole-Home Generators (22-48 kW)
Whole-home generators power everything in your house—HVAC, kitchen appliances, lights, outlets, well pumps, electric water heaters, and more. You won't need to make sacrifices during an outage; your home operates exactly as it does with grid power.
Typical sizing for Aiken homes:
- 1,500-2,500 sq ft home: 22-26 kW generator
- 2,500-3,500 sq ft home: 26-36 kW generator
- 3,500+ sq ft home: 36-48 kW generator
Whole-home generators are ideal if you:
- Want zero lifestyle changes during outages
- Have critical medical equipment anywhere in the home
- Work from home and need power everywhere
- Have electric heating or cooling that's non-negotiable
- Prefer not to manage which appliances are running
Essential Circuit Generators (12-20 kW)
Essential circuit generators power only critical circuits you select—typically refrigerator, freezer, some lights, heating/cooling, sump pump, and a few outlets for essentials like WiFi and phone chargers. Non-essential items like spare bedrooms, electric dryers, and luxury features aren't powered.
Typical sizing for essential circuits:
- Basic essentials (fridge, lights, furnace, outlets): 12-14 kW
- Essentials plus AC or well pump: 16-18 kW
- Extended essentials (some appliances, multiple rooms): 18-20 kW
Essential circuit generators are ideal if you:
- Want backup power at a lower cost
- Can live without some conveniences during outages
- Experience short outages (few hours to a day)
- Are comfortable managing which areas have power
How to Calculate Your Needs
To accurately size a generator, a licensed electrician will perform a load calculation based on:
- Total home square footage and electrical panel size
- HVAC system tonnage and type (heat pump, gas furnace, electric heat)
- Well pump horsepower (if applicable)
- Electric water heater size
- Major appliances (range, dryer, dishwasher)
- Number of circuits you want powered
At Unity Power & Light, we provide free load calculations to ensure your generator is properly sized—not too small (causing overloads) and not too large (wasting money).
Top Standby Generator Brands
Four brands dominate the residential standby generator market, each with strengths for different needs and budgets:
Generac
Market leader, widest selection, best availability
Generac is America's most popular standby generator brand, offering models from 7.5 kW to 150 kW. Their generators are widely available, competitively priced, and backed by an extensive dealer network for service and parts.
Key features:
- Widest range of sizes (perfect for any home)
- Best parts availability in Aiken area
- Mobile Link remote monitoring (smartphone app)
- 5-year warranty on most residential models
- Quiet operation (as low as 62 dBA at 23 feet)
Best for: Homeowners seeking proven reliability, easy local service, and competitive pricing.
Kohler
Premium quality, quietest operation, longest warranties
Kohler generators are built like luxury appliances—heavy-duty construction, ultra-quiet operation, and premium finishes. They cost 10-20% more than comparable Generac models but offer superior build quality and whisper-quiet performance.
Key features:
- Quietest generators on the market (as low as 58 dBA)
- Commercial-grade components for durability
- OnCue Plus remote monitoring with detailed diagnostics
- 5-year/2,000-hour comprehensive warranty
- Corrosion-resistant aluminum enclosures
Best for: Homeowners prioritizing quiet operation, build quality, and long-term reliability over upfront cost.
Briggs & Stratton
Value-oriented, reliable engines, good mid-range option
Briggs & Stratton leverages over a century of engine manufacturing experience to deliver dependable standby generators at mid-tier pricing. They're not as feature-rich as Generac or Kohler but offer solid performance and value.
Key features:
- Time-tested engine technology
- Symphony II power management (essential circuit control)
- 5-year limited warranty
- Competitive pricing (5-10% less than Generac)
- Good fuel efficiency
Best for: Budget-conscious homeowners wanting reliable backup power without premium features.
Champion
Budget-friendly, growing brand, best value
Champion has aggressively entered the standby generator market with lower pricing than established brands. While they lack the track record of Generac or Kohler, they offer compelling value for homeowners prioritizing upfront cost savings.
Key features:
- 20-30% lower pricing than premium brands
- 10-year limited warranty (industry-leading)
- Cold Start Technology for reliable winter starts
- Wireless remote monitoring available
- Growing dealer network
Best for: Homeowners seeking maximum value and willing to work with a newer brand for significant cost savings.
Automatic Transfer Switches Explained
The automatic transfer switch (ATS) is the brain of your standby generator system. It constantly monitors utility power and safely switches your home between grid and generator power. Understanding ATS options helps you choose the right system:
Whole-House Transfer Switches
These switches transfer your entire electrical panel to generator power. When the generator starts, every circuit in your home receives power (up to the generator's capacity). This is the simplest setup and what most whole-home generators use.
Load-Shedding Transfer Switches
Also called "load management" switches, these intelligently manage which circuits receive power based on generator capacity. They can temporarily disable non-critical loads (like electric water heaters) when high-demand appliances (like air conditioners) start, preventing generator overload.
Load-shedding allows you to use a smaller generator while still powering most of your home, saving thousands on equipment costs.
Manual Transfer Switches
While not "automatic," manual transfer switches are an option for budget-conscious homeowners using portable generators. You manually switch between utility and generator power by flipping switches at the transfer panel.
Manual switches cost significantly less than automatic systems but require you to be home during outages and manually start your portable generator.
Fuel Options: Natural Gas vs. Propane in Aiken
Choosing between natural gas and propane depends on what's available at your property and your usage patterns:
Natural Gas
Pros:
- Unlimited fuel supply from utility lines
- Never need refueling—generator can run indefinitely
- Lower fuel cost per kWh produced
- No tank installation or refill scheduling
- Cleaner burning than propane (less maintenance)
Cons:
- Only available where natural gas lines exist (limited in rural Aiken County)
- Gas pressure can drop during area-wide emergencies
- Slightly lower efficiency than propane (10-15% less power per fuel unit)
Best for: Homes with existing natural gas service (within Aiken city limits and some subdivisions).
Propane
Pros:
- Available anywhere—perfect for rural properties
- Higher energy density (more power per gallon)
- Stored on-site—reliable even when utilities fail
- Propane doesn't degrade over time (can be stored indefinitely)
- Better generator performance in cold weather
Cons:
- Requires large tank installation (250-1,000 gallon typical)
- Tank refills needed (frequency depends on usage and tank size)
- Higher fuel cost per kWh than natural gas
- Tank lease or purchase costs
Best for: Rural Aiken County homes without natural gas access, or homeowners wanting fuel independence.
Fuel Availability in Aiken
Natural gas service in Aiken is provided primarily within city limits and select subdivisions by SCANA/Dominion Energy. Much of rural Aiken County lacks natural gas infrastructure, making propane the default choice for standby generators.
Local propane suppliers include Suburban Propane, Amerigas, and Blossman Gas. Tank sizes for standby generators typically range from 250 gallons (powers 20 kW generator for 2-3 days) to 1,000 gallons (powers for weeks).
Maintenance Requirements
Standby generators are low-maintenance machines, but annual servicing keeps them reliable when you need them most:
Weekly Self-Tests
Most standby generators automatically run a 12-minute self-test every week. During this test, the generator starts, runs to confirm functionality, and shuts down. You don't need to do anything—the generator handles it automatically.
These tests ensure batteries stay charged, fuel systems remain primed, and components stay lubricated. They also alert you to problems before an actual outage.
Annual Professional Maintenance
Once per year, schedule professional maintenance that includes:
- Oil and filter change
- Air filter replacement
- Spark plug inspection/replacement
- Battery load test and terminal cleaning
- Coolant level check
- Fuel system inspection
- Transfer switch testing
- Load bank testing (simulated power transfer)
Annual maintenance typically costs $200-$400 depending on generator size and includes parts and labor. This investment prevents costly repairs and ensures reliability during outages.
Exercise Under Load
Every 6-12 months, it's wise to manually exercise your generator under actual load by simulating an outage. This tests the transfer switch, confirms generator performance under real conditions, and helps identify potential issues.
Installation Cost Range
Standby generator installation in Aiken typically costs $5,000-$15,000 installed, depending on generator size, fuel type, and site conditions:
Cost Breakdown by System Size
- 12-14 kW essential circuit system: $5,000-$7,500 installed
- 16-20 kW partial home system: $7,500-$10,000 installed
- 22-26 kW whole-home system: $10,000-$12,500 installed
- 30-48 kW large home system: $12,500-$15,000+ installed
Factors Affecting Installation Cost
- Generator size: Larger units cost more for equipment and installation labor
- Fuel type: Propane installations require tank purchase/rental ($500-$2,000) and gas line routing
- Distance from gas meter/tank: Longer fuel line runs increase costs
- Distance from electrical panel: Longer electrical runs require more conduit and wire
- Concrete pad: Generator requires level concrete pad (included in most installations)
- Permits: Aiken electrical, plumbing, and building permits (typically $150-$400 total)
- Load-shedding equipment: Advanced transfer switches cost $500-$1,500 more than basic switches
What's Included in Installation
Professional installation includes:
- Generator delivery and placement
- Concrete pad construction (if needed)
- Fuel line installation and connection
- Electrical wiring and automatic transfer switch
- Battery installation and connection
- Startup, testing, and programming
- Permits and inspections
- Owner training on operation and maintenance
Permits and Placement Requirements
Aiken Permit Requirements
Standby generator installation in Aiken requires multiple permits:
- Electrical permit: For transfer switch and generator connection
- Plumbing/gas permit: For fuel line installation
- Building permit: For concrete pad and generator placement (if in setback areas)
Licensed contractors handle all permit applications and scheduling inspections with City of Aiken or Aiken County authorities.
Placement Requirements
Generators must meet specific placement rules:
- 5 feet minimum from windows, doors, and fresh air intakes
- 18-60 inches clearance around generator for service access
- Level concrete pad sized for generator footprint plus service clearance
- Away from neighbors when possible (noise consideration)
- Protected from flooding if in flood-prone areas
- Accessible for fuel delivery (propane trucks need access)
Conclusion
Whole-home standby generators provide unmatched peace of mind for Aiken homeowners. Whether you're protecting medical equipment, preventing food spoilage, maintaining home security systems, or simply avoiding the inconvenience of outages, a standby generator keeps your life running smoothly no matter what Mother Nature throws your way.
Choosing the right generator involves balancing your power needs, fuel availability, budget, and brand preferences. At Unity Power & Light, we help Aiken homeowners navigate these decisions with free load calculations, honest brand comparisons, and transparent pricing.
We install Generac, Kohler, Briggs & Stratton, and Champion generators throughout Aiken County, handling everything from permits and fuel line installation to transfer switch wiring and final testing. Our licensed electricians ensure your generator is sized correctly, installed safely, and ready to protect your home for decades.
Ready to explore standby generator options for your home? Call Unity Power & Light at (803) 220-4491 for a free consultation. We'll assess your power needs, recommend the right generator size and brand, and provide a detailed installation quote with no obligation.