Whole-home standby generators are a significant investment, and homeowners naturally have questions. Below are answers to the most common questions we receive about residential backup power systems, installation, permitting, and maintenance.

General Generator Questions

  • Yes. When utility power is lost, the system detects the outage and starts automatically within seconds. When power is restored, the system shuts off and switches back on its own.

  • Portable generators require manual setup and limited circuits. Whole-home standby generators are permanently installed, automatic, and can power most or all of the home.

  • Most Houston homes use 18–26kW systems for full-home coverage. Larger homes with multiple A/C units or pool equipment may require 36–48kW with load management. We handle sizing during your consultation.

Sizing & Power Capacity

  • Most Houston homes use 18–26kW systems for full-home coverage. Larger homes with multiple A/C units or pool equipment may require 36–48kW with load management. We handle sizing during your consultation.

  • Yes, when properly sized. Load management allows high-demand systems like A/C units to run efficiently without overloading the generator.

Installation & Permits

  • Yes. We provide complete, start-to-finish support, including generator selection, permitting, coordination, installation, and post-installation service.

  • Yes. We evaluate your home’s size, electrical loads, usage priorities, and any flood-zone considerations to determine whether a generator is appropriate and how it should be configured.

  • Yes. Electrical, mechanical, and sometimes plumbing permits are required. We handle permitting and inspections as part of our service.

Fuel, Noise & Operation

  • Most residential systems run on natural gas or propane. Natural gas is common in Houston due to continuous fuel supply.

  • Modern standby generators are quieter than portable units and operate within local noise regulations.

Maintenance & Longevity

  • Yes. Regular oil changes, inspections, and software updates are needed to ensure reliability.

  • With proper maintenance, residential standby generators can last 15–20 years.

  • Yes. Our goal is long-term reliability, not just installation. We offer ongoing service, maintenance, and support after your generator is installed.

Brands & Service

  • We install Generac, the #1 trusted brand in residential standby power. We can also service or replace other major brands like Kohler and Cummins.

  • Yes. We provide service, diagnostics, and repairs for many residential standby systems.

  • We provide:

    • Routine maintenance and scheduled service

    • Professional diagnostics and troubleshooting

    • Repairs and part replacements

    • Performance evaluations and safety guidance

    If your generator has felt unreliable or difficult to maintain, we can help.

  • Yes. Arieli Custom Homes is a registered Generac dealer and authorized service provider, which allows us to perform authorized warranty work when applicable.

Our Experience & Approach

  • Over the years, we’ve installed standby generators as part of custom homes, renovations, and flood-zone projects. We’ve also spent significant time diagnosing, correcting, and improving generator installations — including systems installed by other contractors.
    As builders, we look at generators as part of the home, not just standalone equipment. Our focus is on proper sizing, correct installation, and long-term reliability.

  • Because we are builders, we consider how a generator integrates with the home’s electrical systems, structure, site conditions, and future maintenance needs. We’ve seen common issues that arise when installations are rushed or poorly coordinated, and our process is designed to avoid those problems.

Flood Zones & Special Conditions

  • Yes. Flood-zone installations require additional planning, such as elevated pads and code-compliant placement. We have experience designing and installing generator systems in flood-prone areas.

  • It can. Generator size, placement, and mounting requirements may differ depending on flood-zone regulations. We take these factors into account during planning.

If your questions aren’t answered here, we’re happy to walk through your options and help you determine what makes sense for your home.

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