Whole-House Generator Installation in Pittsburgh

Whole-house generators are typically sized between 22 and 48 kilowatts for most Pittsburgh-area single-family homes, depending on square footage, HVAC system type, and special loads like hot tubs or electric vehicle chargers. Getting the sizing right requires a proper load calculation — not a guess. Ireland Contracting's estimators measure your actual electrical panel and account for your home's specific demand profile, then recommend a generator size with a reasonable reserve so the unit does not run at or above its rated output continuously.

Automatic transfer is essential for a whole-house system. When utility power drops, the generator starts and the transfer switch activates within ten to fifteen seconds, well before your refrigerator temperature rises or your sump pump misses a cycle. The switch also protects utility line workers by ensuring your generator never back-feeds power onto the grid. Modern systems include cellular monitoring so you can check generator status and receive service alerts from a smartphone app.

Fueling a whole-house generator requires either a natural gas supply from your utility or a large liquid propane tank on the property. For homes not connected to natural gas, we coordinate with LP suppliers to size and locate a propane tank that meets code setback requirements and provides adequate run time between fills. Ireland Contracting manages the full scope — we have been coordinating complex home improvement projects across the Pittsburgh area for more than 30 years, and whole-house generator installation is one of the more satisfying projects we do.