Yes. A standby generator can be installed in many older homes, but the installation needs to account for the home’s existing electrical system, fuel source and layout.
For Deborah, the decision to install a whole-home standby generator came after years of increasingly frequent power outages. Her late-1800s Michigan home now experiences six to eight outages a year, including several that last two days or longer.
Tired of relying on a portable generator, she wanted a permanent backup power solution for the home that’s been in her family for generations.
Why Add a Standby Generator to an Older Home?
Deborah’s home dates back to the late 1800s and has been in the homeowner’s family for generations. According to the family’s history, the property was purchased from Henry Ford in the early 1900s.
Deborah was born in the house and purchased it from her parents about 10 years ago. She doesn’t remember frequent outages growing up, but since moving back, they’ve become much more common.
Relying on a portable generator several times a year was becoming a hassle. She wanted to be able to continue using the systems and appliances in her home when the power went out.
More importantly, she saw a standby generator as a legacy purchase for a home she plans to keep in the family.
What Should You Consider When Installing a Generator in an Older Home?
Older homes can have electrical systems that have been modified or expanded over decades. That can make standby generator installation more complex than it would be in a newer home.
Deborah’s late-1800s home was no exception to this. Its electrical system changed and expanded over the years, so our team had to design the installation around the home’s current setup. The result allows her to maintain access to the systems and appliances important to her during an outage.
Installing a 26 kW Kohler Standby Generator
The solution was a 26 kW Kohler standby generator installed near the home’s existing air-conditioning unit.
Unlike the portable generator the homeowner had been relying on, a standby generator can provide automatic backup power when an outage occurs. There’s no need to bring out a generator, connect it and get it running every time the utility service goes down.
For Deborah, that means a more convenient way to keep life moving during the frequent outages her family now experiences.
An Investment for the Next Generation
With a 26 kW Kohler standby generator in place, this historic home is better prepared for the outages the family experiences today while preserving the convenience and reliability the homeowner wanted for the future.
Grand Bay Electric’s certified electricians and generator specialists install Kohler and Generac standby generators for homeowners throughout West and Northern Michigan, including solutions designed around older and unique homes.
Schedule a free in-home generator consultation to find the right backup power solution for your home.