Frequently Asked Questions
Peace of mind, power for essential electrical systems, safety and security, and the ability to minimize the inconvenience.
In short. The power fails and the standby unit detects the lose of utility. The unit turns on. Once it maintains a stable voltage. The transfer switch throws an internal mechanism switching form the utility source to the generator source of power. This process takes a mater of seconds in most cases. The generator and switching mechanism can be programed for operating different values.
The price starts for most homes around 1800 Square feet at $6400.00
Most installations, from start to finish take only 1 to 2 days. In some municipalities the process can be about 5 working days. From the time you sign an agreement to the start up and walk through, it could be 1-2 weeks before the storm season, or 2-4 weeks during storm season. Every project is different, and these estimates vary based on many aspects of your specific installation. Installations can sometimes take a little longer in communities that require permits or any city inspection processes.
We take all major credit cards Visa, MC, Discover. We do offer financing. We can help with financing on larger scale residential and commercial projects too. Also, Texas allows for home equity loans against their mortgage; please contact your lender after we provide you with a proposal.
A stand-by generator is tied into your electrical system and is consistently monitoring your utility service for power fluctuation or for entire power loss. When this happens the generator turns on automatically and restores power service to the home or business. Where as, a portable you do all the work! You move the generator from wherever it is stored to a safe outside location, you turn the generator on manually, you run all the electrical cords to the items you wish to power up. Portables will not provide enough power to run large appliances like A/C units like a stand-by unit can.
The short answer here is, no, this is not a good idea. While we realize there are many very smart capable people out there. We highly recommend as well as our competitors do, that you have an electrician trained in generator installation to perform this task. Further, we recommend that you don’t have just any electrician preform your installation. We do this every day. This is all we do. Through many hours of repetition we have perfected the art generator installations. You are right. This is not rocket science. In fact, the science of what we are talking about here has been around for a long time. You would not go to a divorce attorney for a criminal defense we think you should apply the same logic here. Do you really want your friend, neighbor, or local electrician learning how to install a generator on your house or business?
At this time, gasoline engines are not the proper solution for emergency backup power when it comes to a home electrical system. They are however adequate for powering smaller items like fans and small window a/c units. Gasoline and diesel units are very pragmatic, in that gas stations run on electricity. In a large rolling black out that cover entire communities, these petro chemical fuels are hard to come by and usually are only available to emergency services, law enforcement, and municipal entities. Natural gas and propane is an abundant resource and is readily available right in your backyard. There has not been a major natural gas supply service disruption in several decades.
While many people did this during the last couple of storms, many of those people got injured and caused electrical fires!!! This could void insurance policies or reduce the amount of money the insurance carrier would be required to pay for damage due to arson or gross negligence. You would be ill advised that you or anyone alter, change, add or take away from their electrical system. All electrical service should be done by a licensed journeyman or master electrician.
Although there are portable gasoline systems that can be hooked into your residential system, we advise to never temporally hard wire any portable generators into your breaker panel, under severe risk of injury or total loss of life and property.
Please call us so that we may design a portable or permanent system that is safe and secure that meets Federal, State, and local safety and electrical code requirements.
Standby generators routinely have in-service programs to perform self testing. Most major brand generators have a feature called an “exerciser” mode. This means on a pre determined day and time of the week the unit will turn on and run under no load for a set period of time. This feature varies from manufacture to manufacture but they all offer it.
Yes all our technicians are Cumins Onan and Generac Certified to assist you with all questions on these and many more products. Our staff handles all turnkey installations and works according to the NEC along with city permit and code regulations.
Contact our office toll free at 800-327-7591 or 713-352-7895 and speak with a representative. We will meet with you personally and conduct a free consultation to determine which type of generator would be effective for your home. Our staff will also provide you a free consultation.
Our promise to our clients is to provide the highest quality of service with integrity and respect for all our clients. We are there for you before, during and after the installation process of your new generator. The generator comes with a full factory warranty that can be extended and our installation comes with a one year warranty.
General Winter Storm Preparation Tips:
For winter storm preparation tips, please visit National Weather Service.
For comprehensive Hurricane preparation tips, please visit NOAA’s Hurricane Preparedness Guide.
It’s vital to ensure your generator is ready to perform when you need it most.
While it’s always best to have a technician check your generator, you may need to perform some checks yourself in such situations.
Please only perform these checks if it is safe, and note that A&A GenPro cannot take responsibility for any issues arising from working on your generator.
Proper oil levels are crucial for the efficient operation of your generator.
Watch how you can check the oil level here:
Here’s how you can check the oil level in your:
Nearly all air and liquid-cooled generators take 5W30 motor oil.
Refer to your Generac Owners Manual
Refer to your Cummins Owners Manual
Refer to your Kohler Owners Manual
Refer to your Briggs & Stratton Manual
One of the easiest ways to find out your generators oil capacity is by Google searching the model number if you cannot find your owners manual.
The good news is that you have power! Even better, your generator can run for more than 100+ hours before it needs servicing and an oil change.
Check your oil level every 24 hours and add as needed, but do not overfill it!
Then, enjoy the comfort of your home on the power generated. Once power in your area has been restored, call us to schedule maintenance on your generator.
All brands of generators have various indicator lights to help you keep your generator running smoothly. Three lights will help you do this:
A green light indicates that your generator is functioning correctly and is ready to provide power when needed.
A yellow light is a reminder that your generator requires attention soon but can still function and provide power if needed. Yellow means you might need the oil level topped up or the filters changed.
A red light means a critical issue needs immediate attention. Red means you need to book your appointment immediately.
To find your Generac Generator serial number lift the top lid of your 8 – 26 kW air-cooled unit – the model/serial decal sits on the right-hand side. On liquid-cooled and most newer air-cooled models, a second fuel-tag sticker with the serial no. is on the rear exterior near the fuel inlet.
To find your Kohler Generator serial number check the silver decal on the engine shroud or the nameplate inside the service door of residential units.
To find your Briggs & Stratton serial number open the side door of the enclosure.
• 10–12 kW vertical units – decal is under the roof panel.
• 17–20 kW horizontal units – decal is on the right-hand panel.
• Some models also have a duplicate label on the floor of the enclosure.
If your generator won’t start in most cases it’s because of a battery issue. Make sure the battery is charged and the connections are tight.
Often the controller is going to be the key indicator that you have problems with your battery. If the controller doesn’t turn on it’s because you have a weak or low battery that will need to be replaced.
The next most common issue is low oil. If your controller is powered up it will indicate that there is low oil. That’s when you can pull the dipstick and check the oil levels.
If you do not have low oil then there could be a defect with a controller.
Another common issue we see is fuel supply problems. Low fuel or lines that are turned off can cause the generator to run poorly.
By keeping an eye on these common issues and performing regular checks, you’ll help your generator run smoothly and stay ready for any power outage.
If you cannot turn on the generator manually, go through the troubleshooting checklist in your manual. Please call our office for service if you cannot get it running.
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(713) 830 3280