Standby Generator Installation · New Orleans, LA
Standby Generator Installation in New Orleans, LA
A standby generator is a permanently installed unit, usually fueled by natural gas or propane, that starts on its own when the power goes out and switches your home over through an automatic transfer switch.
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- Independent, licensed electricians
- Serving Uptown, Bywater, Mid-City and more
Why standby generator installation comes up in New Orleans
Hurricane Ida in 2021 left all of New Orleans without power when the transmission lines into the city failed, some homes for more than a week in extreme heat, and standby generators became far more common afterward. Natural-gas units with automatic transfer switches are popular, and Entergy New Orleans, which also provides gas, may need to upgrade the meter. Units should sit on raised platforms above flood levels with clearance from windows and doors, and historic districts may review placement.
Permits come from the Department of Safety and Permits.
- When Hurricane Ida struck in August 2021, the city lost power entirely and some areas waited more than a week for restoration, which drove a large increase in standby generator installations.
- After Hurricane Ida left the entire city without power in 2021, standby generators became one of the most requested electrical projects in New Orleans.
- A standby unit with an automatic transfer switch is often installed on a raised platform to stay above flood levels, and it needs a gas supply sized for the generator and clearances from windows and doors.
- Many New Orleans shotguns, doubles and Creole cottages still have small services or old fuse panels, and adding central air, a heat pump, a standby generator or an EV charger usually requires an upgrade.
- Permits in New Orleans
- Electrical permits in New Orleans are issued by the city's Department of Safety and Permits, and historic districts may need separate review for exterior changes.
- Electric utility
- Entergy New Orleans
Signs to look for
- Outages that last a day or more in your area
- Medical equipment, sump pumps or home offices that cannot lose power
- No one home to set up a portable generator during storms
- Wanting central air or heat to run during outages
- Natural gas already at the home
How the work is done
1. Load and site review
The electrician decides which circuits to back up, sizes the unit, and picks a compliant spot outdoors.
2. Permits and fuel
Electrical and, often, gas or propane permits are pulled, and the fuel supply is checked for capacity.
3. Install unit and transfer switch
The pad, generator, automatic transfer switch and wiring are installed; a gas fitter connects the fuel.
4. Inspection and startup
The work is inspected, the unit is started, and the transfer is tested.
What moves the price in New Orleans
Electricians set their own prices. Older homes often have original or patched wiring, and raised homes may have wiring running in crawl spaces exposed to moisture and pests.
- Generator size in kilowatts
- Whole-house versus essential-circuit transfer switch
- Distance from the panel and gas meter
- Gas meter or propane tank upgrades
- Pad, placement and HOA or flood-elevation requirements
- Permits and gas work
Standby Generator Installation in New Orleans: questions
Do I need a permit for standby generator installation in New Orleans?
Usually, yes. Electrical permits in New Orleans are issued by the city's Department of Safety and Permits, and historic districts may need separate review for exterior changes. The electrician normally pulls the permit and schedules the inspection.
Is the utility involved in New Orleans?
If the work affects the meter or service, the electrician coordinates with Entergy New Orleans, which owns the meter and service drop.
What size standby generator do I need?
It depends on what you want to run. Essential circuits may need a smaller unit; whole-house backup with central air needs more. A load calculation decides.
Standby or portable generator?
A portable generator with an inlet and interlock costs less but has to be set up and refueled by hand. A standby unit starts and switches over by itself.
Can a standby generator run on propane?
Yes. Most run on natural gas or propane; the fuel supply must be sized for the unit.
How close to the house can it go?
Manufacturers and local codes set clearances from windows, doors, vents and property lines; the installer follows both.
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