Uninterrupted Power
Uninterrupted Power | Generators | Electrical | Tellico Plains
When thunderstorms sweep across Tellico Plains and blink the lights off, HEP keeps homes, cabins, and businesses humming with uninterrupted power electrical solutions. Our expert team surveys your property, recommends the right size units, and installs dependable generators that start automatically the instant the grid falters—so your fridge stays cold, your devices stay charged, and your peace of mind never flickers.
From regular maintenance to emergency repairs, we’re on-call 24/7, bringing small-town neighborliness and big-league technical know-how to every service visit. Whether you’re safeguarding a mountain getaway or a bustling downtown storefront, HEP builds a custom resilience plan around you, pairing premium generators with honest pricing and a handshake you can trust.
FAQs
What type of generator is best for homes and small businesses in Tellico Plains?
For most properties in Tellico Plains, we recommend a permanently installed standby generator fueled by propane or natural gas. Standby units (usually 14–26 kW for residences and 30–60 kW for small businesses) start automatically within seconds of a power loss and can handle the extended outages we experience during summer storms and winter ice events. Portable gasoline generators are useful for short, limited-load situations, but they require manual setup, refueling, and proper cord management. A standby system tied into your home’s electrical panel through an automatic transfer switch (ATS) provides seamless, whole-house coverage and meets Monroe County code requirements.
How is a standby generator installed and how long does the process take?
1. Site assessment: A licensed electrician visits your property to size the unit, choose a clear, well-ventilated pad location, and verify gas line capacity (1–2 hours). 2. Permitting: We file electrical and, if needed, gas permits with Monroe County and the City of Tellico Plains. Approval generally takes 3–5 business days. 3. Pad & utility work: We pour a concrete or composite pad and run wiring conduit and gas piping (½–1 day). 4. Generator set & ATS installation: The unit is craned or wheeled onto the pad, wired to the ATS, and tied into the fuel source (1 day for most homes, 2 days for larger commercial systems). 5. Inspection & startup: Local inspectors sign off, then we program and load-test the generator (2–3 hours). From signed contract to final inspection, expect 1–2 weeks, assuming weather and permit offices cooperate.
Do I need permits or utility approval before installing a generator in Tellico Plains?
Yes. Monroe County requires an electrical permit, and if you are connecting to natural gas, Fort Loudoun Gas System may require a gas permit or meter upgrade. Within the Tellico Plains city limits, a zoning review ensures the unit meets setback and noise ordinances (generators must sit at least 3 ft from any opening and stay below 70 dB at property lines). Our team handles all paperwork, schedules inspections, and provides you with copies of the signed approvals for your records and insurance carrier.
How often should my generator be serviced, and what does maintenance include?
Standby generators should be professionally serviced every 6–12 months or after 150–200 runtime hours—whichever comes first. A typical maintenance visit includes: • Oil and filter change • Air filter and spark-plug replacement • Battery load test and terminal cleaning • Fuel system pressure/flow check • Firmware updates and controller diagnostics • Exercise cycle verification under simulated outage load Seasonal self-checks are also important: keep the area clear of leaves, make sure the breaker is in the ON position, and listen for the weekly exercise run (usually set for a quiet mid-morning time). Regular maintenance preserves the manufacturer’s warranty and ensures reliable performance during Tellico’s peak storm seasons.
Will the generator start automatically during a power outage, and how long can it run?
Once the automatic transfer switch senses utility loss (typically after a 10-second delay to avoid false starts), the generator will crank and reach operating speed in about 5 seconds. Power is then transferred to your home or business circuits. When utility service is restored and stable for about a minute, the ATS reverts to normal utility power and signals the generator to cool down and shut off. Run-time is limited only by fuel supply and scheduled maintenance intervals. A properly sized 500-gal propane tank can support an average 20 kW home generator for roughly 6–8 days of continuous operation at 50 % load. Natural-gas units can run indefinitely as long as gas pressure remains within spec and oil levels are checked every 24–48 hours.
What do generators cost and are financing options available?
Turn-key installation in the Tellico Plains area starts around $8,500 for a 14 kW residential system and can reach $18,000–$25,000 for a 26 kW air-cooled or 30 kW liquid-cooled commercial unit, depending on pad prep, gas line distance, and service-panel upgrades. We partner with Synchrony and local credit unions to offer 0 % promotional financing for 12–18 months and fixed-rate loans up to 10 years. You may also qualify for TVA energy-resiliency rebates or a homeowner insurance discount—ask us for the latest program details. Every quote includes equipment, permits, labor, first-year maintenance, and a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty, so there are no surprise add-ons later.