Generator Installation for Arlington Heights Homeowners
Power outages in Arlington Heights are more common than most people plan for. Whether it is a winter ice storm knocking out lines along Euclid Avenue or a summer thunderstorm rolling through the northwest suburbs, losing power for hours or days is a real disruption. A properly installed standby generator keeps your furnace, sump pump, refrigerator, and lights running without you having to do a thing.
Jimco Electric provides generator installation for homeowners and small businesses throughout Arlington Heights and the surrounding communities including Palatine, Buffalo Grove, and Mount Prospect. Our electricians are licensed in Illinois, carry full insurance, and handle every step from permit application through final inspection. We work with leading generator brands and size each system to match the actual needs of your home.
What’s Included in Our Generator Installation Service
When you hire Jimco Electric for a generator installation, you get a complete turnkey job. We do not hand you a generator and leave the wiring to someone else. Every installation includes site assessment, permit handling, proper placement, transfer switch wiring, and a functional test before we close out the job.
Automatic Transfer Switch Wiring
The transfer switch is what makes a standby generator actually useful. When the grid loses power, the transfer switch detects the outage and automatically signals the generator to start and take over the load. Jimco Electric installs and wires transfer switches to your existing panel, ensuring the connection is safe, code-compliant, and inspected by the Village of Arlington Heights building department.
Generator Pad and Placement
Standby generators need a stable, level surface and proper clearance from the home, windows, and property lines. We pour or source a properly sized concrete pad and position the unit according to local zoning requirements in Arlington Heights. Good placement also protects the unit from flooding, which matters in areas near the Des Plaines River corridor where drainage can be slow after heavy rain.
Load Calculation and System Sizing
Installing a generator that is too small leaves you scrambling during an outage. We calculate your home’s essential electrical load, factoring in your HVAC system, sump pump, kitchen appliances, and any medical equipment. The result is a generator recommendation that actually covers what you need, not just a round number that sounds good.
If you have questions about what is involved or want to get started, call Jimco Electric for a free on-site estimate.
When Arlington Heights Homes Need Generator Installation
A lot of Arlington Heights homeowners think about generators after an outage, not before. But there are several situations where getting a generator installed makes sense as a proactive move rather than a reactive one.
Frequent Outages in Your Neighborhood
Some streets and neighborhoods in Arlington Heights lose power more often than others due to older overhead lines and tree canopy. If your block has gone dark two or three times in recent winters, that pattern is unlikely to change on its own. A standby generator takes the stress out of the next storm before it arrives.
Homes with Sump Pumps and Finished Basements
Arlington Heights sits in an area with a moderately high water table, and many homes have sump pumps running year-round to manage groundwater. During major storms, power outages and heavy rain often happen at the same time. Without a generator, a sump pump failure during a storm can mean thousands of dollars in basement flooding damage.
Medical Equipment or Work-From-Home Needs
If someone in your household relies on a CPAP machine, home oxygen equipment, or other powered medical devices, an outage is not just an inconvenience. Similarly, if you work from home and lose a day of productivity every time the power flickers, a generator pays for itself quickly. Many Arlington Heights homeowners in this situation also pair their generator installation with a whole-home surge protection device to guard equipment when power is restored.
Do not wait for the next outage to start the process. Generator installations require permits and scheduling, so getting ahead of the season matters.
Our Generator Installation Process for Arlington Heights Homes
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Reach out by phone or through our website to book a free on-site visit. We confirm your address in Arlington Heights, note any existing panel or electrical concerns you are aware of, and set a time that works with your schedule. There is no pressure and no obligation at this stage.
Assess Your Electrical Panel and Property
During the site visit, we inspect your main electrical panel, measure available space for the generator unit, and review your home’s load requirements. Older homes in areas like the Scarsdale subdivision or near the Arlington Heights Historic District sometimes have 100-amp panels that need upgrading before a generator can be safely added. We flag any issues upfront so there are no surprises on installation day. If an upgrade is needed, we can quote a panel upgrade at the same time.
Pull Permits and Install the System
We submit the permit application to the Village of Arlington Heights building department and schedule the job once approval comes through. On installation day, our crew sets the generator, installs the transfer switch, and makes all connections to your panel and gas line. We also test the system under load before leaving the job site.
Complete the Final Inspection and Walkthrough
After installation, the Village of Arlington Heights building inspector reviews the work and signs off on the permit. Jimco Electric coordinates that inspection on your behalf. Once the permit closes, we walk you through how the system operates, how to test it manually, and what routine maintenance looks like so you are confident the system will perform when you need it most. We also recommend pairing your new generator with a whole-home rewiring review if your home has older wiring that could be stressed by generator backfeed during a transfer.
