- Sized from a real load calculation
- Transfer switch or interlock, never back-feed
- Permit + inspection
Why generators are common here
Long Island's outages come from nor'easters, hurricane-season storms and wind through mature trees over overhead service drops, especially in wooded Suffolk hamlets and on the North Shore. Homes with sump pumps, well pumps, medical equipment or a home office are the usual buyers.
Your three options
- Whole-house standby: starts automatically within seconds of an outage and runs on natural gas or propane.
- Essential-circuits standby: a smaller unit wired to a sub-panel of the loads you can't do without.
- Portable + inlet + interlock: you roll out the generator and plug it into an outside inlet; the interlock makes back-feeding the grid impossible.
What it costs
| Job | Typical Long Island range | What drives it |
|---|---|---|
| Whole-house standby generator (installed) | $8,000 – $16,000 | Typical Generac whole-house system: unit, pad, automatic transfer switch, gas connection, permit. Larger 22–26 kW units and long gas runs sit at the top. |
| Smaller standby (7.5–10 kW, essential circuits) | ~$5,000 – $8,000 | Powers a sub-panel of essential loads rather than the whole house. |
| Portable generator inlet + interlock | Usually far below a standby system | Code-compliant way to run household circuits from a portable generator. Never back-feed through a dryer outlet. Get a written quote. |
| Gas line extension | Varies widely | Done by a licensed plumber. Distance from the gas meter and meter size drive it. |
More detail: generator installation cost on Long Island.
Placement rules to expect
Standby units need clearance from windows, doors and property lines, set by the manufacturer and your town. Flood-zone homes on the South Shore may need the unit elevated. Your installer should confirm your town's rules before the pad is poured.
Where we cover
Generator Installation quotes are available across Nassau and Suffolk. Who licenses the electrician and which inspection agencies are accepted differ by town. Start with yours:
Frequently asked questions
What size generator do I need?
It depends on what you want to run. Essential circuits (fridge, furnace blower, sump pump, some lights and outlets) need far less than whole-house coverage with central air. An electrician sizes it from a load calculation.
Can I plug a portable generator into a dryer outlet?
No. "Back-feeding" through an outlet can energize the utility lines and kill a lineworker, and it can start a fire. Use a code-compliant inlet with an interlock or a transfer switch.
Who handles the gas line?
A licensed plumber runs the gas connection; the electrician handles the transfer switch and wiring. Many installers coordinate both.
Do generators need a permit on Long Island?
Yes. Expect an electrical inspection by an approved agency, and in many towns a building permit for placement and setbacks. Ask the installer what your town requires.
Related services
- Panel & Service Upgrades: 100A to 200A service upgrades and panel replacements, including the permit, the agency inspection and the PSEG Long Island meter cutover.
- Federal Pacific & Zinsco Panel Replacement: Replacing Federal Pacific Stab-Lok, Zinsco, Challenger, Pushmatic and old fuse boxes, often on a home-sale or insurance-renewal deadline.
- EV Charger Installation: Level 2 home chargers on a dedicated circuit, with a load check first so a 100-amp house doesn't trip, and help with the PSEG LI charger rebate.
- Electrical Repair & Troubleshooting: Breakers that keep tripping, dead outlets, flickering lights, half the house without power, warm or buzzing devices.
- Urgent & Emergency Electrical: Burning smells, sparking outlets, storm-damaged service masts and power problems that can't wait for next week.
- House Rewiring: Replacing knob-and-tube, cloth-insulated and ungrounded wiring, and remediating 1960s–70s aluminum branch wiring.
- Lighting & Ceiling Fans: Recessed lighting, fixture and fan installs, dimmers, outdoor and landscape lighting.
- Electrical Safety Inspections: A licensed electrician's evaluation for a home purchase or sale, an insurance carrier's request, or peace of mind in an older house.