When a winter storm knocks out power in Maryland, it can be hours or even days before the lights come back on. Without power, you can lose heat, your sump pump, your refrigerator, and your internet.
A backup generator keeps your home running until power is restored. But which type is right for your home? Here's what Maryland homeowners should know before the next storm.
Generator Installation in Maryland: Your Two Main Options
Most homeowners choose between two setups: a whole-home standby generator or a portable generator connected safely to the house. Both can work well. The right choice depends on your budget, your home, and how much you need to keep running. Not sure which is right for you? Contact us for an evaluation of your backup power needs.
Option 1: Whole-Home Standby Generator
A standby generator is installed permanently outside your home and runs on natural gas or propane. When the power goes out, an automatic transfer switch senses the outage and starts the generator within seconds. You don't have to do anything, even if you're not home.
- Powers most or all of your home, including heat and well pumps
- Turns on automatically during an outage
- No refueling with gas cans during a long outage
- Higher upfront cost, but the most hands-off option
Learn more about our generator installation and service.
Option 2: Portable Generator With an Inlet and Interlock
If you already own a portable generator, or want a lower-cost option, a generator inlet and interlock kit lets you power your home safely. With an interlock, you choose which circuits to turn on, like your furnace, refrigerator, sump pump, and a few lights, as long as the total load stays within your generator's capacity. That way, you can power what matters most without overloading the generator.
We recently helped a homeowner in Crofton who had been running extension cords through a side window every time the power went out. We installed a generator inlet box on the outside of the home, connected it to the main panel, and added a mechanical interlock. Now they plug in one cord outside, flip on the breakers for the circuits they need, and their home is powered. No more cords through the window.
Never Backfeed Your Home
Some people try to plug a generator into a wall outlet with a "suicide cord." Please don't. This is called backfeeding, and it's extremely dangerous. It can send power back onto the utility lines and seriously injure line workers trying to restore your power. It can also damage your home's wiring and start a fire.
An interlock or transfer switch prevents this by making sure your home can only connect to one power source at a time.
Portable Generator Safety
Generator exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which you can't see or smell. Always run a portable generator outdoors, at least 20 feet away from your home, with the exhaust pointed away from windows and doors. Never run a generator inside your home, garage, basement, or any enclosed space, even with the door open.
Hardwired, interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide detectors add an important layer of protection.
How to Size a Generator for Your Home
Generators are rated in watts or kilowatts (kW). To choose the right size, think about what you need running during an outage:
- Essentials only: furnace or heat pump fan, refrigerator, sump pump, some lights, and outlets
- Most of the house: essentials plus the well pump, water heater, kitchen appliances, and more
- Whole home: everything, including central air and electric heat
Motors like well pumps and AC compressors need extra power to start up, so we always look at your actual equipment before recommending a size. Getting the size right is one of the most important parts of generator installation in Maryland homes, where many houses rely on electric heat pumps in winter.
Your Panel, Permits, and BGE Coordination
Before any generator installation, we check your electrical panel. Older or full panels may not have room for a generator connection. In some homes, an electrical panel upgrade is the right first step.
For example, during a recent service upgrade in Severna Park, we increased the home's service to 400 amps, improved the grounding and bonding, added a subpanel in the garage, and installed a generator receptacle so the homeowner can connect a generator easily.
Most generator installations in Maryland require an electrical permit and inspection. When a service change is involved, we also coordinate with your utility company, like BGE. We handle the paperwork, so you don't have to.
Keep Your Generator Ready With Maintenance
A generator that won't start during an outage doesn't help anyone. Standby generators need regular maintenance, just like a car. Some homeowners also need proof their generator works.
A homeowner in Annapolis needed annual test documentation for their insurance company. We performed a load bank test, bringing the generator up to full rated output while monitoring voltage, frequency, and temperature. The generator passed, and the homeowner received a signed report for their insurance file.
Check our current specials for generator maintenance offers.
Protect Your Home When the Power Comes Back
Power surges often happen when electricity is restored after an outage. These surges can damage appliances, electronics, and HVAC equipment. A whole-home surge protector installed at your main panel helps protect everything at once.
Get Ready Before the Next Storm
Venus Electric is a woman-owned electrical company based in Millersville, MD (MD License #35576). Whether you want a whole-home standby generator or a safe hookup for your portable generator, we'll help you choose the right option and handle your generator installation from start to finish.
The best first step is an evaluation of your backup power needs. We'll look at your panel, the equipment you want to keep running, and your budget, then recommend the setup that fits your home. Call (443) 747-7909 or contact us online to schedule your evaluation. Already without power? Our emergency electrical services are available 6:00 am to 11:00 pm, 7 days a week.
Generator FAQs
A standby generator is installed permanently, runs on natural gas or propane, and turns on automatically when the power goes out. A portable generator is moved into place and started by hand, then connected to your home through an inlet and interlock or a transfer switch.
No. This is called backfeeding, and it’s dangerous. It can injure utility workers and damage your home’s wiring. A generator inlet with an interlock or a transfer switch is the safe way to connect.
Most generator installations require an electrical permit and inspection. We pull the required permits, schedule inspections, and coordinate with your utility company when needed.
It depends on what you want to power during an outage. Essentials like your heat, refrigerator, and sump pump need less power than a whole-home setup. We look at your actual equipment and panel to recommend the right size.
Standby generators should be maintained at least once a year to make sure they start when you need them. Regular maintenance can also help with warranty and insurance requirements.