Generator Installation · Boulder, CO
Generator Installation in Boulder, CO
Xcel Energy has used public safety power shutoffs in Boulder during extreme wind and fire risk, and the December 2021 Marshall Fire showed how quickly wind-driven fire can spread. Many Boulder homeowners now want backup power, and with rooftop solar common, a battery system is often the first choice because it runs quietly and needs no fuel.
- Call now to check electrician availability in your area
- Independent, licensed electricians
- Serving Mapleton Hill, Whittier, Newlands and more
What's different about generator installation in Boulder
A portable generator through an outdoor inlet and interlock is a lower-cost option. Natural-gas standby generators are less common as the city moves toward electrification. Permits come from the City of Boulder's Planning and Development Services.
Historic homes may have knob-and-tube or small services, and many owners are adding heat pumps, solar, batteries and EV chargers as the city pushes electrification.
Weather and the utility in Boulder
Boulder gets sunny weather most of the year, but strong downslope winds can roar off the Flatirons in winter, and in December 2021, wind-driven flames from the Marshall Fire destroyed more than a thousand homes in nearby Louisville and Superior. The September 2013 flood damaged homes along Boulder Creek. Xcel Energy serves Boulder and has used public safety power shutoffs during extreme wind.
- Permits in Boulder
- Electrical permits come from the City of Boulder's Planning and Development Services; Boulder County handles unincorporated areas. Colorado licenses electricians through the State Electrical Board.
- Electric utility
- Xcel Energy
- Where we connect you
- 11 ZIP codes in Boulder, including Mapleton Hill, Whittier, Newlands, Martin Acres, Table Mesa, University Hill
Signs it's time to call
- Frequent outages from storms, ice or heat
- Medical equipment, sump pumps or freezers that cannot lose power
- A portable generator with no safe way to connect
- Planning a whole-home standby unit
How the job usually goes
1. Size the load
Circuits that must stay powered are listed and the generator sized.
2. Choose the connection
Inlet and interlock, manual transfer switch or automatic transfer switch.
3. Install and inspect
Permitted installation, gas connection by a licensed fitter where needed, and inspection.
Full details on generator installation, including what you can safely check yourself.
What moves the price in Boulder
Electricians set their own prices. Local permit fees, utility coordination and the age of the home all play a part, along with:
- Portable inlet versus standby system
- Generator size
- Transfer switch type
- Distance from panel and gas source
- Pad, permits and inspection
Stop and call an electrician if
- ✕ Never backfeed through an outlet
- ✕ Never run a generator in a garage
Generator Installation in Boulder: questions
Do I need a permit for generator installation in Boulder?
In most cases, yes. Electrical permits come from the City of Boulder's Planning and Development Services; Boulder County handles unincorporated areas. Colorado licenses electricians through the State Electrical Board. The electrician normally pulls the permit and arranges the inspection.
Is an interlock kit legal?
Listed interlock kits are accepted in many jurisdictions when installed with a permit. Your electrician will know the local rule.
What electrical issues are common in Boulder homes?
Electricians in Boulder most often see: wind and wildfire-related shutoffs; older wiring in Mapleton Hill and Whittier; capacity for electrification.
More electrical help in Boulder
Generator Installation in nearby cities
Guides
Need generator installation in Boulder?
Call now and we connect you with a licensed electrician who serves your ZIP code.