Standby Generator Installation · Shreveport, LA
Standby Generator Installation in Shreveport, 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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- Serving Highland, South Highlands, Broadmoor and more
Why standby generator installation comes up in Shreveport
The February 2021 winter storm left many Shreveport homes without power for days in freezing temperatures, and summer storms bring long outages in the heat. Natural-gas standby generators with automatic transfer switches are a popular choice, and the gas meter may need upgrading for a whole-house unit. Units must sit outdoors on a level pad with clearance from windows, doors and property lines.
SWEPCO owns the electric service, and permits come from the city's permits and inspections office, with separate gas permits. Families caring for older relatives often size the unit to run central air through a long August outage.
- A portable generator connected through an outdoor inlet and panel interlock covers those affordably, while a standby generator with an automatic transfer switch suits homes with natural gas.
- Permits in Shreveport
- Electrical permits in Shreveport come from the city's Permits and Inspections Division, where electrical contractors must also register; Bossier City and unincorporated Caddo Parish issue their own. Louisiana licenses electrical contractors through the State Licensing Board for Contractors.
- Electric utility
- SWEPCO
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 Shreveport
Electricians set their own prices. Older homes may have original wiring and small services, and mid-century homes often have full panels with little room for new circuits.
- 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 Shreveport: questions
Do I need a permit for standby generator installation in Shreveport?
Usually, yes. Electrical permits in Shreveport come from the city's Permits and Inspections Division, where electrical contractors must also register; Bossier City and unincorporated Caddo Parish issue their own. Louisiana licenses electrical contractors through the State Licensing Board for Contractors. The electrician normally pulls the permit and schedules the inspection.
Is the utility involved in Shreveport?
If the work affects the meter or service, the electrician coordinates with SWEPCO, 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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