Generators & Backup Power in Dundas, ON

Local context

Dundas generator installation, standby generators, and backup power.

FAQ - Generators in Dundas

Questions we hear about generators in Dundas.

• Do I need a whole-home generator?+
  Up in Muskoka the short answer is usually yes if you have a well pump, septic pump, or a freezer full of food and the line goes down for two to five days every winter. In Hamilton and Burlington the case is weaker but still real - ice storms, summer thunderstorms, and aging grid infrastructure mean four-to-eight-hour outages a few times a year. We size to your actual load, not the maximum.
• Generac vs Kohler vs Cummins - which one?+
  All three are good. Generac has the largest dealer network and the easiest parts story. Kohler runs quieter and has a slightly better cold-start record. Cummins is heavy-duty - what we put in for commercial sites. For most Ontario homes we install Generac Guardian (14kW-26kW) sized to the panel load.
• What about portable generators with a manual transfer switch?+
  Cheaper option that works well if you are home when the power goes out. We install the manual transfer switch (interlock kit or six-circuit panel) so a portable generator can safely backfeed the panel. Code-compliant, ESA-inspected, and a fraction of the cost of standby - but you have to start it.
• Is Dundas part of Hamilton?+
  Yes - the former Town of Dundas amalgamated into the City of Hamilton in 2001. From a service and permitting perspective it is Hamilton (Alectra utility, City of Hamilton permits, etc.).
• My Dundas home has knob-and-tube and my insurer is asking - what do I do?+
  Standard insurance-driven K&T story. We do an inspection, document the active runs, and quote either an incremental replacement (if the K&T is localized) or a whole-house rewire (if it is everywhere). Either way the ESA permit and certificate are part of the package.