Electrical Service
Electrical Service | Generators | Electrical | Rockford
When the lights go out in Rockford, HEP’s licensed electricians step in with dependable generators that keep your home or business humming. From precise load calculations and seamless installations to routine maintenance, we tailor every solution to Rockford’s unique weather and power-grid challenges. You’ll get expert guidance on fuel options, transfer switches, and smart monitoring—so you can relax knowing your essentials stay powered no matter what the forecast says.
Backed by fast response times and a satisfaction guarantee, our team treats every project like it’s protecting their own families. Let HEP handle the heavy lifting, paperwork, and post-installation check-ups while you enjoy uninterrupted comfort, safety, and productivity. Ready to safeguard your property? Give us a call today and discover why so many Rockford residents trust HEP to keep the power on.
FAQs
What types of generators do you install for Rockford homes and businesses?
We install and service portable, residential standby, and commercial-grade generators in power ranges from 7 kW to 150 kW+. Options include natural-gas, propane, and diesel units from trusted manufacturers such as Generac, Kohler, and Cummins. Our technicians assess your load requirements, fuel availability, and budget to recommend the model that offers the best reliability and efficiency for Rockford’s climate and electrical infrastructure.
How do I determine the right size generator for my property?
Proper sizing starts with a load calculation. We list the essential circuits or equipment you want powered during an outage and measure their starting (surge) and running wattages. For homes, these usually include the furnace blower, refrigerator, sump pump, well pump, lighting, and select outlets. Commercial clients often add servers, security systems, and HVAC compressors. Once we tally the total load, we add a 20–25 % safety margin to account for future expansion and voltage drops. After a complimentary site visit in Rockford, our master electrician will provide a detailed proposal with the correct kW rating and transfer-switch capacity.
Do I need a permit or inspection to install a standby generator in Rockford, IL?
Yes. The City of Rockford Building Department requires an electrical permit and, in most cases, a mechanical permit for the fuel line. We handle the paperwork, drawings, and fees on your behalf. After installation, the city will perform a rough and final inspection to verify that wiring, clearances, and gas piping meet the 2023 NEC, ICC Fuel Gas Code, and local amendments. Your unit cannot be legally energized until it passes inspection and receives a green tag.
How often should my generator be serviced, and what does maintenance include?
Manufacturers recommend maintenance every 6 months or after 200 run hours, whichever comes first. Our Rockford preventive-maintenance plan includes an oil and filter change, spark-plug inspection, battery test, coolant level check, air-filter replacement, fuel-system leak test, transfer-switch exercise, firmware updates, and a full load-bank test. Regular service ensures the warranty remains valid and that the generator starts instantly when ComEd’s grid goes down.
Will a standby generator turn on automatically during a power outage?
Yes. Once the automatic transfer switch (ATS) senses a utility interruption (typically within 10 seconds), it signals the generator to start, isolates your building from the grid, and transfers the electrical load to the generator. When utility power stabilizes, the ATS re-connects you to ComEd and initiates a cool-down cycle before shutting the generator off. You do not need to be home; the entire sequence is automatic and seamless.
What is the typical cost and installation timeline for a whole-house generator in Rockford?
For a 18–22 kW natural-gas standby generator, expect a turnkey price between $7,500 and $11,000, which covers the unit, composite pad, ATS, permits, gas plumbing, electrical labor, and first-year maintenance. Larger 30–48 kW liquid-cooled models can run $13,000–$21,000. After the permit is approved, installation usually takes two consecutive days: Day 1 for setting the unit and rough electrical/gas work, Day 2 for final wiring, startup, and inspection coordination. Supply-chain delays are rare because we stock the most popular models in our Rockford warehouse.