Charlotte storms do not play fair. Thunderheads roll in fast from late spring through September, and ice can glaze branches in January. Power blinks are common, and longer outages hit hardest in humid weeks when HVAC has to run. A standby generator solves this with automatic backup that keeps a home steady, safe, and comfortable.
Why standby power matters in Charlotte
Charlotte’s grid faces strain from heavy AC use, dense growth, and routine Duke Energy maintenance. Rolling blackouts and brownouts spike during peak demand. A standby generator covers the gap. It senses a grid failure and transfers power through the Automatic Transfer Switch in seconds. Refrigerators stay cold. Sump pumps keep running. Medical devices do not miss a beat. Central air and heat continue, which matters during 95-degree afternoons and 28-degree ice events.
Ewing Electric installs systems across Mecklenburg County and the surrounding towns, from Myers Park and Dilworth to Ballantyne, South Park, Elizabeth, Plaza Midwood, NoDa, and Steele Creek. Service extends to Matthews, Pineville, Huntersville, Mint Hill, Concord, Belmont, and Gastonia. The team builds each system for the home’s load profile, not a generic template.
What a whole-house system protects
A well-sized standby generator shields the home from more than darkness. It keeps the HVAC stable, which prevents humidity-driven mold growth and protects wood floors. It preserves thousands of dollars in food. It keeps a home office online and avoids missed deadlines. It stops a flooded basement when a storm stalls over the 28277 corridor and a sump pump has to cycle for hours. It also prevents voltage spikes from damaging electronics when power returns rough.
In Charlotte’s storm season, these are weekly risks, not rare events. A permanent system is the practical fix.
How a generator takes over during an outage
The transfer is automatic. The ATS monitors utility power at the electrical panel. When the grid drops, the generator starts, stabilizes voltage, and the ATS shifts the home to generator power. Most homes see a 10 to 15 second gap. Lights come back. The HVAC compressor restarts on the next cycle. Refrigeration holds temp. When utility power returns, the ATS moves the home back to the grid and cools down the generator.
Ewing Electric handles the full integration of the ATS with the existing breaker panel and subpanel work when needed. The team also manages the fuel source, whether a natural gas line or an on-site propane tank, and coordinates with licensed gas plumbers.
Picking the right generator for your home
Most Charlotte households run well on air-cooled standby units between 18 and 26 kW. Larger estates in South Park or multi-HVAC homes with pool equipment often need liquid-cooled models for sustained heavy loads. Dual-fuel setups are an option where natural gas is limited or where homeowners want propane storage for long outages. Smart load management allows smaller generators to cover big homes by prioritizing critical circuits.
Brand matters. Ewing Electric is an authorized installer for Generac and Kohler systems and services Honeywell, Briggs & Stratton, Cummins, Champion, and Westinghouse units. Warranty protection remains intact with factory-trained technicians. Remote monitoring options give real-time status and test alerts.
What the installation includes
A proper whole home generator installation covers design, site prep, and code compliance. The crew pours a level concrete pad, sets the generator enclosure with correct clearances, and bonds it per code. Electrical work includes routing conductors in conduit, mounting and wiring the ATS, and tying into the main electrical panel. Gas connections are sized for BTU demand, with regulators set to spec. The battery charger and voltage regulator are checked. The system runs a full simulated outage test. Ewing Electric pulls permits, meets inspectors, and coordinates Duke Energy meter sync when required.
For homeowners near Freedom Park, Discovery Place Science, Bank of America Stadium, Queens University of Charlotte, the U.S. National Whitewater Center, or Charlotte Douglas International Airport, response times are fast due to central staging and ready inventory.
Common problems solved by standby power
Power outages cause predictable damage. Sump pump failure leads to basement flooding in heavy downpours. Freezers thaw during summer storms. Medical device interruptions put health at risk. Voltage spikes hit electronics when the grid returns with unstable voltage. Loss of HVAC makes a Charlotte home unlivable in August and unsafe for pets and seniors. A standby system cuts these losses by keeping critical circuits running and voltage clean.
Local factors Ewing Electric plans for
Older homes in Myers Park and Dilworth have specific electrical layouts and permit needs. The team knows those codes and the typical service sizes in these neighborhoods. Newer builds in Ballantyne and Steele Creek often include pre-wired generator subpanels; Ewing Electric verifies sizing and corrects mislabeling before final hookup. Tight lot lines in Plaza Midwood and NoDa can limit placement; side-yard noise ordinances also apply. The crew selects enclosures and locations that meet Charlotte’s noise and setback rules.
Providing turnkey generator solutions for the 28277 and 28210 communities is a priority during peak grid strain. Crew schedules hold extra capacity during hurricane season so installs and repairs move fast.
Real-world sizing examples
A 2,400-square-foot ranch in 28205 with gas heat, a 3-ton AC, and typical appliances runs well on a 20 to 22 kW air-cooled unit with smart load management. A 5,200-square-foot South Park home with two 4-ton condensers, a wine https://storage.googleapis.com/ewing-electric/whole-house-generator-installation/whole-house-generators.html cooler, and a basement dehumidifier may require a 38 to 48 kW liquid-cooled unit. A townhome near Bank of America Stadium that only needs refrigeration, lights, outlets, Wi-Fi, and a single heat pump may be fine with a smaller air-cooled system and a selective subpanel.
The Ewing Electric difference
Ewing Electric is a licensed, insured, and bonded electrical contractor with a residential focus. Factory-trained technicians perform the work. The team provides turnkey installation, from the concrete pad to the final utility sync. Maintenance contracts include annual service, firmware updates on newer smart models, and load-bank testing when needed. Remote monitoring catches battery faults and missed test cycles early. The company respects local permitting timelines and communicates inspection dates so homeowners are never guessing.
A simple path to standby power
- Schedule a load calculation with a licensed electrician to map actual running and starting loads. Choose the model and fuel source after the estimate, including air-cooled or liquid-cooled options. Approve the plan. Ewing Electric files permits and orders the generator, ATS, pad, and accessories. Installation day includes pad set, ATS wiring, panel work, and gas hookup coordination. Final inspection and a full outage simulation confirm the system is ready for storm season.
Cost, brands, and maintenance
Pricing in Charlotte varies by size, fuel, and site conditions. Smaller air-cooled systems often land in the mid-teens installed, while large liquid-cooled systems for estates can run higher. Incentives change by season and utility. A free estimate clarifies the total with no surprises.
As experts in Generac and Kohler, the team sizes the unit for the home’s load requirements and protects the factory warranty. Homeowners seeking premium features can upgrade to a Honeywell standby system with very quiet operation and robust remote monitoring. Ongoing maintenance includes oil and filter changes, spark plugs on schedule, battery testing, and a visual inspection of the enclosure, wiring, and gas regulators.
FAQs
How much does a whole house generator cost in Charlotte?
Most homes see a range based on size and fuel. Air-cooled units that cover essential loads start lower. Larger liquid-cooled units for full-home coverage cost more. A site visit and load calculation provide a precise quote.
Will a standby generator run central air conditioning?
Yes, with proper sizing. Many 3 to 5-ton systems run on air-cooled units with soft-start kits and smart load management. Bigger homes or multiple condensers may require a liquid-cooled unit.
Does Ewing Electric handle permits and inspections?
Yes. The team handles electrical permits, gas coordination, and city inspections, then completes the Duke Energy meter sync when applicable.
What fuel source is best for Charlotte?
Natural gas is common in many neighborhoods and provides steady supply. Propane works well for areas without gas service or for homeowners who want on-site storage. Dual-fuel is an option when flexibility is important.
How long does installation take?
Most turnkey projects take one to two days on site after permits and utility scheduling. Lead times vary during peak storm season, so early booking helps.
Ready for storm season
Homeowners across Charlotte, from 28277 to 28210, are building resilience with whole house generator installation that works when the grid fails. Ewing Electric provides the design, the ATS integration, the concrete pad, the gas coordination, and the final test. Contact Ewing Electric today for a comprehensive load calculation and a free generator installation estimate. The team will size the right air-cooled or liquid-cooled system, install it cleanly, and keep it maintained so the home stays powered during every storm.
Ewing Electric Co provides dependable residential and commercial electrical services in Charlotte, NC. Family-owned for over 35 years, we handle electrical panel upgrades, EV charger installation, generator installation, whole-home rewiring, and 24/7 emergency repairs. Our licensed electricians deliver code-compliant, energy-efficient solutions with honest pricing and careful workmanship. From quick home fixes to full commercial installations, we’re known for reliable service done right the first time. Proudly serving Charlotte, Matthews, Mint Hill, and nearby communities.
Ewing Electric Co
7316 Wallace Rd STE D
Charlotte,
NC
28212,
USA
Phone: (704) 804-3320
Website: https://ewingelectricco.com/ | Electric Company in Charlotte
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