Continuous Power

Continuous Power | Generators | Electrical | Crossville

When storms roll across the Plateau or a surprise outage strikes your business, HEP’s continuous power team keeps Crossville glowing with dependable generators that spring to life the instant the grid goes dark. From compact residential units to robust commercial systems, our licensed electricians design and install solutions that match your load requirements, budget, and peace-of-mind checklist—so lights stay on, servers stay online, and life keeps humming.

But power isn’t the only thing we deliver. HEP backs every installation with 24/7 monitoring, priority fuel delivery, and routine maintenance by local technicians who know these hills as well as they know control panels. With transparent pricing, flexible financing, and a service promise that never sleeps, we make owning generators easy, affordable, and—most importantly—reliable for every home and business in Crossville.

FAQs

What is the difference between a continuous-power generator and a standby generator?

A continuous-power generator is engineered to run 24/7, supplying electricity whenever utility power is unavailable, insufficient, or nonexistent. It is rated for an unlimited number of annual operating hours at a fixed load factor, making it ideal for manufacturing plants, data centers, water treatment facilities, and remote sites around Crossville that cannot afford downtime. A standby generator, by contrast, is meant to start automatically during utility outages and run only until grid power is restored—usually just a few hours or days per year. Standby units are not designed for prolonged use and typically carry lower duty-cycle or prime-rated engines. Choosing the wrong type can lead to premature wear or code violations, so it’s important to match the generator classification to your true runtime needs.

How do I determine the correct generator size for my facility in Crossville?

Proper sizing starts with a complete load analysis. Our engineers visit your facility to inventory every motor, HVAC unit, lighting circuit, and piece of production equipment, then calculate running kilowatts (kW), starting kVA, and any future expansion loads. We also factor in Crossville’s elevation (1,900-2,000 ft) and average summer temperatures, which slightly reduce engine power output. Using this data, we run simulations to find the smallest generator that can handle 100% of your critical load without overloading during motor starts or power factor drops. Undersizing can cause nuisance shutdowns; oversizing wastes fuel and capital. Once the load profile is confirmed, we provide a detailed proposal with the generator rating, switchgear, and fuel storage requirements.

What fuel options are available for continuous generators in Crossville, and which is best for my application?

In the Upper Cumberland region you can choose among diesel, natural gas, propane, or bi-fuel (a mix of gas and diesel). Each has pros and cons: • Diesel – Highest power density, simpler fuel system, great for mobile or remote sites. Requires on-site tank and regular fuel polishing. • Natural Gas – Clean-burning, virtually unlimited run time via utility pipeline, lower maintenance. Must confirm adequate line pressure and may require a service upgrade from Volunteer Energy Cooperative. • Propane – Similar to natural gas but stored on-site. Good where gas lines are unavailable; fuel can be stored indefinitely. • Bi-fuel – Runs primarily on natural gas but seamlessly switches to diesel when gas supply is interrupted, giving you redundancy. The best choice depends on runtime, emissions goals, fuel availability, and budget. We review these factors with you and perform a lifecycle cost analysis to guide your decision.

How often does a continuous-power generator need maintenance?

For a generator running year-round, preventive maintenance is critical. Industry standards and most manufacturer warranties call for: • Weekly: Visual inspection for leaks, belt tension, and coolant/oil levels. • Monthly: Exercise under at least 30% load, record voltage/frequency, inspect battery and charger. • Quarterly: Oil and filter change if running more than 250 hours, fuel filter replacement, coolant concentration check. • Semi-Annual: Full fluid and filter service, infrared scan of switchgear, crankcase breather service, governor calibration. • Annual: Comprehensive load-bank test, valve lash adjustment, cleaning of radiator and alternator windings, fuel polishing (diesel). Our Crossville service team offers 24/7 monitoring and customized maintenance contracts so you stay compliant with NFPA 110 and manufacturer guidelines.

Do I need permits to install a commercial generator in Crossville, and can you help with them?

Yes. Cumberland County and the City of Crossville require electrical, mechanical, and sometimes zoning permits for generators larger than 15 kW or any unit connected to a building’s wiring. You may also need an air-quality permit from the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) if the generator exceeds certain emissions thresholds. Our project managers handle the entire permitting process—site drawings, one-line diagrams, load calculations, and emissions data—then coordinate with local inspectors and utility representatives to schedule final approvals. This ensures your installation meets NEC, NFPA 70, and local ordinance requirements.

What is the typical lead time for ordering and installing a continuous-power generator in Crossville?

Lead time varies with generator size, fuel type, and current factory production schedules. As of this year, common 100-300 kW diesel units are shipping in 6-8 weeks, while 500-1,500 kW natural-gas sets may take 12-20 weeks due to engine allocations. After the equipment arrives, site preparation, concrete pad curing, fuel system installation, electrical tie-ins, and testing generally add 3-5 weeks. Factoring in engineering and permitting, most Crossville projects reach full commissioning in 10-16 weeks for mid-range units and up to 6 months for large MW-class systems. We provide a detailed Gantt chart at contract signing so you can plan around the critical path and avoid production disruptions.