Home Generator Installation on the North Shore: What to Plan For
Updated: Sep 29
Storm season (and aging equipment) make power outages a real headache on the North Shore. A standby home generator keeps the lights, refrigerator, sump pump, furnace or boiler, and other essentials running when the grid goes down. Here's what the installation actually involves for a typical house in Northbrook and nearby towns, and what to decide before anyone digs or pulls wire.
Portable vs. standby
A portable generator is useful for short outages if you're comfortable running extension cords and refueling. A standby (whole-home or partial-home) generator sits outside, starts automatically when power fails, and feeds selected circuits through a transfer switch. Most homeowners who want "set it and forget it" protection choose standby.
What the electrical side includes
Licensed electrical work is the core of a safe install:
Sizing the generator to the loads you want to keep on (essentials only vs. more of the house)
Installing an automatic transfer switch so utility power and generator power never backfeed each other
Running the feeder from the transfer switch to your panel to code
Coordinating permits and inspection (required in most North Shore villages for this work)
Working with the gas utility or propane supplier when the unit is natural gas or LP-fueled
Miron Electricians handles the electrical side — transfer switch, wiring, and panel connection — for home generator installation at homes and businesses in Northbrook, Glenview, Winnetka, Wilmette, Skokie, Niles, Evanston, and Highland Park.
What to decide before the install
Must-run list. Lights, fridge, sump pump, and heat are the usual starting point. Add well pump, medical equipment, or home office circuits only if you need them during an outage.
Panel capacity. An older or full panel may need attention so the transfer switch and generator loads can be connected cleanly. Related: panel and circuit work
Fuel type and placement. Natural gas is common where available; propane is an option where it isn't. Placement has to meet clearance and local code rules.
Permits. Panel work, new circuits, and generator installs normally need a village permit. A licensed contractor pulls the permit and schedules inspection so the job passes the first time.
Rough timeline
After you settle on size and placement, expect a site visit or walkthrough, permit filing, equipment lead time, then install and inspection. Exact days vary with the village and whether ComEd or the gas company has to be involved. Ask for a written estimate that spells out scope before work starts.
When to call
If your neighborhood sees frequent winter outages, if you rely on a sump pump in a finished basement, or if you're already planning a panel upgrade, it's worth getting a generator quote at the same time so the electrical work can be coordinated once.
Call 224-305-7329 or request a free estimate for home generator installation on the North Shore.
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