Whole-home (22-26 kW)
$10,000 – $18,000
Generator unit + concrete pad + 200A automatic transfer switch + electrical install + permits. Add $1,500-$3,000 if a panel upgrade is needed.
Electrical service · Asheville, NC
Standby Generators in Asheville
Whole-home and partial-load standby generator installation. Automatic transfer switches. Propane or natural gas. Annual service plans. Lifetime workmanship warranty.
★ 4.8 stars · 163 Google reviews · NCBELC #33298 · Insured · Lifetime workmanship warranty · No trip fee · No minimum job
Asheville loses power. Sometimes for a few hours during a summer thunderstorm, sometimes for three days when an ice storm takes out a feeder line in the Pisgah Forest. If your home runs on a well pump, has a gas furnace that needs electricity for the blower, or has anyone in it on medical equipment — those outages aren't an inconvenience, they're a problem.
A standby generator solves that. We install whole-home and partial-load generators across Buncombe County: residential propane setups in Haw Creek and Fairview, natural gas installs where the gas line is already sized for it, partial-load systems for older homes where a 22kW unit is overkill.
Below: how we size generators, the propane vs natural gas trade-off, and what an automatic transfer switch actually does.
Typical Asheville pricing
What a standby generator install runs.
Industry averages for residential standby gensets in Western NC. Final quote depends on your panel, gas service, distance from the meter, and which brand you choose.
Partial-load (8-14 kW)
$5,000 – $9,000
Right-sized for essentials. Smaller pad, smaller transfer switch, smaller wire run. Most rural Buncombe County partial-load installs land here.
Add: propane tank (if no natural gas)
$800 – $2,500
Above-ground 250-500 gallon tank for 24-72 hours of runtime. Buried tanks add $1,500-$3,000.
These are typical ranges, not your quote. We do a load calculation and walk-through before pricing your specific job.
Sizing
Whole-home or essentials-only.
The single biggest decision in a generator install. Most homeowners ask for whole-home; about half end up with essentials-only after we run the math.
Whole-home (22-26 kW)
Runs everything during an outage — including HVAC.
- Central AC + heat pump operate normally
- Electric range, dryer, water heater all run
- Pool pump, hot tub stay live
- You don't notice the outage except for the gen running outside
Right fit: newer Asheville homes (2000+) with 200A panels, gas furnaces are an exception, and you want zero compromise during a 3-day outage.
Partial-load (8-14 kW)
Essentials only — refrigerator, lights, well pump, gas-furnace blower, a few outlets.
- Refrigerator and chest freezer keep food
- Well pump keeps water flowing
- Gas furnace blower works (the heat itself is gas; the fan needs power)
- Lights, internet, a few outlets for phones/laptops
- HVAC central air typically off; window units possible if sized in
Right fit: older Asheville homes (pre-1990) where a whole-home gen would mean a panel upgrade first; budget-conscious; or you're fine running a window unit instead of central air during outages.
We do a load calculation on-site before quoting. Many Buncombe County homes that ask about whole-home end up choosing partial-load once they see the math — including the panel upgrade that whole-home often requires.
Fuel
Propane vs natural gas — what fits your home.
Natural gas
Pro: runs continuously, no refueling, no tank to look at.
Con: only works if your home has a gas line big enough. Most Asheville homes with existing gas service need the line upsized for a generator's flow rate.
When it fits: newer construction with sized service, downtown / closer-in neighborhoods with strong gas infrastructure.
Propane
Pro: works anywhere, tank is sized to your runtime needs (24-72 hours common).
Con: tank rental or purchase ($800-$2,500), tank visible on property unless buried, refill required after long outages.
When it fits: rural Buncombe (Haw Creek, Fairview, Candler), older homes without natural gas service, anywhere east of Asheville where gas mains thin out.
Transfer switch
The piece that makes it automatic.
An automatic transfer switch (ATS) sits between your utility service and your panel. When it detects an outage — typically a 10-second voltage drop — it starts the generator, waits for stable output, and switches your home from utility to generator power. When utility power returns and stays stable for a few minutes, it switches back and shuts the generator down.
We label every circuit at the panel so you know what runs on backup and what doesn't. Common partial-load setups label the breakers in green (always on backup) and the rest stay neutral. You'll see at a glance whether the second oven or the hot tub circuit is going to work during the next storm.
For partial-load installs, we wire what you actually use. Common picks: refrigerator, freezer, well pump, gas furnace blower, a few outlets in the kitchen and primary bedroom, lights in main living areas. Skipped: central HVAC, electric range, dryer, hot tub, pool pump.
Common questions
Generator questions, answered.
Depends on your priorities and budget. Whole-home generators (typically 22-26 kW) run everything during an outage — including HVAC. Partial-load (essential circuits only) sizes 8-14 kW and powers refrigerator, lights, well pump, gas furnace blower, and a few outlets. We do load calculations on-site and recommend the right size for your home and how you actually live.
Both work. Natural gas is cleaner and runs continuously without refueling — but only if your home already has a gas line big enough. Propane requires a tank but works anywhere. We size the gas piping or propane tank for the generator's rated load.
Most standby generator installs take 2-4 days on-site, plus the lead time for the generator to arrive (often 2-4 weeks) and for any required propane tank or gas line work. We coordinate the gas piece if needed.
Yes — Buncombe County requires permits for both electrical (the transfer switch and panel work) and mechanical (the gas connection). We pull both, schedule inspections, and don't call the job complete until it all passes.
It's the device that detects a power outage, starts the generator, and switches your home from utility power to generator power — automatically, in about 10-15 seconds. When utility power returns, it switches back and shuts the generator down. No more pulling extension cords through windows.
Yes — annual service plans include oil change, filter replacement, battery check, transfer switch test, and a full operational run. Generators that don't get serviced fail when you need them. We catch issues before the next outage.