Reliable Power
Reliable Power | Generators | Electrical | Palmer
When Palmer’s winds howl and the snow piles high, you can still keep the lights on with HEP’s reliable power electrical solutions. Our premium line of generators stands guard over homes, farms, and businesses, instantly delivering steady electricity the moment the grid falters. From compact residential units to rugged commercial systems, each model is chosen for Alaskan resilience and backed by our unwavering commitment to safety.
Local expertise makes the difference. HEP’s certified technicians handle everything—sizing, permitting, installation, and 24/7 maintenance—so you enjoy seamless power without the guesswork. Join hundreds of Palmer neighbors who’ve already said goodbye to outages and hello to dependable energy with HEP’s trusted generators.
FAQs
What size generator do I need for my Palmer home or business?
Proper sizing depends on the total wattage of the appliances and systems you must keep running during an outage. We start with a load-calculation walkthrough, tallying the starting (surge) and running watts for items such as well pumps, furnaces, refrigerators, freezers, lights, and critical electronics. For most Palmer residences, an 8- to 14-kW standby unit is sufficient, while small businesses often require 22-45 kW. After the assessment, we provide a detailed report and recommend a generator that offers at least a 20 % buffer so the unit never operates at full capacity for long periods, extending its life and efficiency.
Do I need a permit to install a standby generator in Palmer?
Yes. The City of Palmer and Matanuska-Susitna Borough require an electrical permit for any permanently connected generator. If the unit will be tied into a gas line or large propane tank, a mechanical/fuel permit may also be needed. Our licensed electricians handle the entire permitting process: preparing diagrams, submitting applications, scheduling inspections, and meeting with the inspector on-site. This ensures your installation complies with the latest National Electrical Code (NEC), Alaska fuel-gas codes, and local zoning setbacks.
How often should my generator be serviced and what does maintenance include?
For most air-cooled residential generators, manufacturers recommend preventive service every 12 months or after 200 hours of run-time—whichever comes first. Liquid-cooled commercial models are usually serviced every 6 months or 100 run hours in Palmer’s colder climate. A standard service visit includes an oil and filter change, spark-plug replacement, valve adjustment (if required), air-filter inspection, battery load-testing, firmware updates on the controller, and a full simulated load test. We provide a written report, note any emerging issues, and stock genuine OEM parts on our service trucks so most repairs can be completed on the spot.
Can your team handle both the electrical and fuel connections?
Absolutely. Reliable Power Electrical is a turnkey contractor. Our in-house, state-licensed electricians run all conduit, install the automatic transfer switch, and integrate the generator into your main service panel. We also partner with local, licensed gas-fitters to extend or upgrade natural-gas lines or size and set new propane tanks to guarantee adequate fuel delivery. Coordinating both trades under one project manager minimizes delays, ensures code compliance, and keeps your warranty intact.
How quickly can you install a generator once I place the order?
Typical lead time is 2–3 weeks for residential units and 4–6 weeks for larger commercial systems, assuming the model you choose is in stock. During Palmer’s storm season, demand can spike, so we recommend scheduling early. While permits are in review, we prep the site—pouring the concrete pad, staging materials, and configuring the transfer switch—to shorten the on-site installation to about one full day for homes and two to three days for businesses. Emergency installations can often be fast-tracked; call us to check current inventory and crew availability.
Will a generator automatically start during a power outage and how long can it run?
All of our standby systems include an automatic transfer switch (ATS). The ATS senses a power loss within a split second, signals the generator to start, and transfers your loads to generator power—usually within 10–15 seconds. When utility power returns, the ATS re-transfers the load and runs the generator through a brief cool-down cycle before shutting it down. With a continuous natural-gas supply, the generator can run indefinitely as long as maintenance intervals are observed. For propane units, run time depends on tank size: a standard 250-gallon tank provides roughly 4–5 days of continuous operation for a 12-kW unit at 50 % load.