New England winters bring more than snow — they bring power outages. Nor'easters, ice storms, and summer thunderstorms regularly knock out electricity across Massachusetts, sometimes for days at a time. A properly installed backup generator keeps your refrigerator running, your sump pump working, and your home safe when the grid goes down.
Portable vs. Standby Generators
Homeowners generally choose between two options:
- Portable generators — lower upfront cost, must be manually connected and refueled, and should never be run indoors or in a garage due to carbon monoxide risk.
- Standby generators — permanently installed outside the home, run on natural gas or propane, and switch on automatically within seconds of an outage through an automatic transfer switch.
For most Massachusetts homeowners, a standby system offers the most reliable protection, especially for households with medical equipment, well pumps, or finished basements prone to flooding.
Why Professional Installation Matters
Generator installation isn't a DIY project. A licensed electrician is required to:
- Size the generator correctly for your home's electrical load
- Install a transfer switch that isolates your home from the utility grid, protecting utility workers from backfeed
- Run and permit gas or propane lines to code
- Coordinate inspections with your local building department
Skipping any of these steps can void your homeowner's insurance, create fire hazards, or result in fines.
Massachusetts Code Considerations
Massachusetts follows the National Electrical Code (NEC) with state amendments, and most towns require a permit and inspection for any standby generator installation. Placement matters too — most municipalities enforce minimum clearances from windows, doors, and property lines for both noise and exhaust safety.
Maintenance Keeps It Ready
A generator that isn't tested is a generator you can't count on. Standby systems should run a self-test weekly and get a professional inspection annually, including oil changes, battery checks, and transfer switch testing — similar to how any other major home system needs a periodic tune-up.
Get It Installed Right
Whether you're prepping for hurricane season or just tired of losing power every time a storm rolls through, BHELECTRICS can help you choose the right generator size, handle the electrical installation, and manage permitting from start to finish. Call BHELECTRICS today at (781) 732-0174 or visit bhelectrics.com to schedule a consultation and keep your home powered through the next outage.