Power Outages Are Not a Matter of If, but When
If you’ve lived in Louisiana for any length of time, you know that hurricane season isn’t something you can ignore. From June 1 through November 30, the Gulf Coast faces the annual threat of tropical storms and hurricanes that can knock out power for days or even weeks. After hurricanes Katrina, Isaac, Ida, and countless tropical storms, Louisiana homeowners understand that losing electricity means losing air conditioning in brutal heat, losing refrigeration for food and medicine, losing the ability to charge phones and stay informed, and losing the sump pumps and dehumidifiers that protect homes from water damage.
At CR Electric LLC, we’ve been helping homeowners across Harahan, Covington, and the greater New Orleans metro area prepare for storm season with reliable backup generator installations for over 25 years. This guide covers everything you need to know about choosing and installing a generator that will keep your family safe when the next storm hits.
Types of Generators: Portable vs. Standby
The first decision you’ll need to make is whether a portable generator or a standby generator is right for your home and budget. Both have their place, but they serve very different purposes.
Portable Generators
Portable generators are the more affordable option, typically ranging from $500 to $2,500. They run on gasoline and can power a limited number of appliances and devices through extension cords or a manual transfer switch. They’re a reasonable option for short outages, but they come with significant limitations and safety concerns:
- Limited power output: Most portable generators produce 3,000 to 7,500 watts, which is enough for a few essentials but not enough to run your entire home
- Manual operation: You must be home to start the generator, fuel it, and manage which circuits it powers
- Carbon monoxide risk: Portable generators must be operated outdoors, at least 20 feet from your home, and never in a garage, carport, or enclosed space. Carbon monoxide poisoning from improperly used portable generators kills dozens of people after every major hurricane
- Fuel supply challenges: After a major storm, gasoline can be difficult or impossible to find. A portable generator running at full load can consume 12-18 gallons per day
- Noise: Most portable generators produce 70-80 decibels, comparable to a vacuum cleaner running continuously
Standby Generators (Whole-Home)
A standby generator is a permanently installed unit that sits outside your home, connected directly to your electrical system through an automatic transfer switch. When utility power is lost, the transfer switch detects the outage and signals the generator to start automatically—typically within 10-30 seconds. When utility power is restored, the system switches back and shuts down the generator without any intervention from you.
Standby generators offer significant advantages:
- Automatic operation: The system works whether you’re home or not, protecting your home even if you’ve evacuated
- Whole-home power: Units range from 10kW to 26kW or more, capable of powering your entire home including AC, refrigerators, well pumps, and medical equipment
- Natural gas or propane fuel: Natural gas-powered units have an unlimited fuel supply (gas lines rarely fail during storms). Propane units can run for days on a standard tank
- Quieter operation: Most standby generators operate at 60-70 decibels, quieter than most portable generators
- No carbon monoxide risk from improper placement: Standby units are professionally installed with proper clearances and ventilation
- Increased home value: A whole-home generator is a significant selling point for Louisiana real estate
Sizing Your Generator: Getting It Right
One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is buying a generator that’s either too small to power what they need or too large for efficient operation. Proper sizing requires calculating the electrical load of everything you want to power during an outage.
Essential Loads to Consider
- Air conditioning: This is non-negotiable in Louisiana. A central AC system can draw 3,000-6,000 watts depending on size. In a region where summer temperatures regularly exceed 95 degrees with high humidity, going without AC for extended periods is a genuine health risk, especially for elderly residents and young children
- Refrigerator and freezer: 600-800 watts each. Keeping food safe is both a health and financial concern
- Sump pump or dehumidifier: 800-1,500 watts. Flood-prone areas need these running to prevent water damage
- Well pump: 1,000-2,000 watts (relevant for many Northshore properties)
- Lights: 300-600 watts for essential lighting throughout the home
- Communication devices: Phone chargers, Wi-Fi router, and a television for weather updates: 200-500 watts
- Medical equipment: CPAP machines, oxygen concentrators, and other medical devices can be critical
Recommended Sizing for Louisiana Homes
- Essential circuits only: 10-14kW standby generator (powers AC, fridge, some lights, outlets)
- Most of the home: 16-20kW standby generator (powers nearly everything except very high-draw items simultaneously)
- Whole-home coverage: 22-26kW standby generator (powers everything including electric ranges, dryers, and multiple AC zones)
Your CR Electric electrician will perform a detailed load calculation specific to your home to recommend the right size.
Installation: Why Professional Installation Is Essential
A standby generator installation is a significant electrical project that involves multiple components and typically requires permits and inspections. Here’s what the process looks like:
- Site assessment: We evaluate your home’s electrical system, determine the best location for the generator (considering setbacks, noise, exhaust, and fuel connections), and calculate your load requirements
- Permitting: Generator installations require electrical permits in Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, St. Tammany Parish, and most other Louisiana jurisdictions. CR Electric handles all permitting
- Concrete pad: The generator sits on a level concrete pad or composite mounting pad
- Automatic transfer switch: This critical component is installed at your electrical panel and manages the switch between utility and generator power
- Fuel connection: A licensed professional connects the generator to your natural gas line or propane tank
- Electrical connection: All wiring from the generator to the transfer switch and into your home’s electrical system
- Testing and commissioning: We test the complete system including automatic startup, load transfer, and return to utility power
- Inspection: The installation is inspected by your local building authority
From start to finish, a typical installation takes 1-2 days of on-site work, though the full timeline including permitting and equipment delivery is usually 2-4 weeks.
Maintenance: Keeping Your Generator Ready
A generator that doesn’t start when you need it is worse than useless—it gives you a false sense of security. Regular maintenance is essential:
- Weekly self-test: Most standby generators run an automatic self-test weekly (usually for 10-15 minutes). Make sure this feature is enabled and listen for it
- Annual professional service: CR Electric offers generator maintenance plans that include oil and filter changes, spark plug inspection, battery testing, transfer switch testing, and a full operational check
- Before hurricane season: Schedule your annual service in April or May, before the June 1 start of hurricane season. Waiting until a storm is in the Gulf means every electrician in the region is booked solid
- Fuel supply check: If you have a propane-powered generator, verify your tank level before storm season. Natural gas users should verify their gas service is active and the shutoff valve functions properly
Don’t Wait for the Next Storm
Every year, we see a rush of calls after the first tropical storm warning of the season. The reality is that generator supply and installation availability drop dramatically once hurricane season begins. The best time to install a generator is during the off-season—January through May—when equipment is readily available, scheduling is flexible, and you won’t be competing with every other homeowner in Southeast Louisiana for an installation slot.
CR Electric has installed hundreds of backup generators across the Southshore and Northshore. We’re authorized dealers for leading generator brands and our licensed master electricians ensure every installation meets code requirements and performs flawlessly when you need it most. Learn more about our backup generator installation services.
Ready to protect your home before the next hurricane? Call CR Electric at (504) 737-6024 (Southshore) or (985) 400-8141 (Northshore), or request a free generator consultation and estimate. Don’t wait until the next storm is on the radar.
