Seamless Backup Power
Seamless Backup Power | Generators | Electrical | Pikeville
When Pikeville storms steal the lights, HEP keeps homes and businesses glowing. Our veteran electricians design and install reliable generators that start automatically the instant the grid blinks, delivering the seamless backup power you need to protect refrigerated goods, medical devices, servers, and family comfort. You’ll never fumble for flashlights or worry about spoiled groceries again—just steady, quiet electricity that feels like the outage never happened.
From sizing and permitting to fuel-source selection, routine maintenance, and round-the-clock monitoring, HEP handles every detail with transparent pricing and small-town courtesy. Whether you’re safeguarding a mountaintop cabin or a bustling downtown storefront, our turnkey solutions let you focus on life, not the next blackout. Tap the button below and discover why Pikeville residents count on HEP to keep their world powered without interruption.
FAQs
Why is a standby generator important for homes and businesses in Pikeville?
Pikeville frequently experiences severe thunderstorms, winter ice, and high-wind events that can knock out the power grid for hours or even days. A permanently installed standby generator automatically supplies electricity the moment utility power fails, keeping lights, HVAC systems, medical equipment, computers, and refrigeration running without interruption. This protects your family’s comfort and safety, prevents costly business downtime, and eliminates the hassle of setting up portable units in bad weather.
How does a seamless backup power system work with an automatic transfer switch (ATS)?
The generator is wired directly into your electrical panel through an ATS. The ATS constantly monitors incoming utility voltage. When it senses a power loss, it sends a start signal to the generator, waits a few seconds for it to reach proper speed, and then transfers the load from the utility to the generator—all in 10–15 seconds. When utility power is restored, the ATS automatically switches the load back, cools the generator down, and shuts it off. Because the transition happens automatically and quickly, you enjoy virtually uninterrupted power.
What size generator do I need for my Pikeville property?
Generator capacity is based on the total wattage of the circuits or equipment you want to back up. A typical 2,500–3,000-sq-ft home that wants whole-house coverage may need a 22–26 kW unit, while essential-circuit coverage (lights, refrigerator, furnace, sump pump, Wi-Fi) can often be met with a 10–14 kW model. Businesses must add up the running and starting watts of mission-critical loads such as servers, refrigeration, POS systems, and HVAC. Our technicians perform an on-site load calculation, evaluate fuel source (natural gas, propane, or diesel), and recommend the right size so you aren’t paying for excess capacity or risking overloads.
How often should my standby generator be serviced, and what does maintenance include?
Manufacturers recommend preventive maintenance every 6–12 months or after every 100–200 hours of operation, whichever comes first. A standard service visit includes oil and filter changes, spark-plug replacement, air-filter inspection, coolant and battery checks, load-bank testing, and software/firmware updates on newer digital controllers. Regular maintenance ensures reliable start-ups, extends engine life, keeps your warranty valid, and meets insurance requirements for commercial properties.
Will running a standby generator significantly increase my energy bills?
When utility power is on, the generator sits idle except for a short weekly exercise cycle that uses only a small amount of fuel. During an outage, fuel costs replace what you would normally pay the electric utility. For natural-gas units, operating expenses average $3–$5 per hour at full load; for propane, $4–$7; and for diesel, $5–$8 (prices vary). Because outages are typically short and sporadic, the annual impact on your energy budget is modest compared with the financial losses and inconveniences that unplanned downtime can cause.
How long does installation take, and do I need permits in Pikeville?
From signed proposal to final commissioning, most residential jobs take 2–3 weeks. Site evaluation and permitting typically require 3–7 business days, actual installation is usually completed in one day, and final inspections plus utility approval add another few days. Commercial projects may run 4–6 weeks depending on equipment lead times and electrical complexity. Pikeville and Pike County require electrical and, when fuel piping is involved, mechanical permits, as well as an inspection by a licensed electrical inspector. Our team handles all paperwork, coordinates with the local utility, and schedules inspections so you have a fully code-compliant system without the administrative headache.