Generator Installation in Surprise & the West Valley

APS and SRP outages in the West Valley during monsoon season can last hours or days. A properly installed generator keeps your HVAC, refrigerator, and medical equipment running regardless of what's happening on the grid. Mason Electric installs transfer switches and generator hookups for both portable and whole-home standby generators throughout Surprise, Goodyear, and Peoria.

What Is Generator Installation?

Generator installation for residential use typically means one of two setups: a manual transfer switch for a portable generator, or an automatic transfer switch (ATS) for a standby generator. Both require a licensed electrician — connecting a generator directly without a transfer switch (backfeeding) is illegal and can kill utility workers.

Generator Installation Options

Manual Transfer Switch (Portable Generator)

A manual transfer switch installs at your electrical panel and connects to a weatherproof inlet box on the exterior. When power goes out, you start your portable generator, plug it into the inlet, and flip the switch. We size it for your essential circuits — HVAC, refrigerator, lights, and main living areas.

Automatic Transfer Switch (Standby Generator)

A whole-home standby generator with ATS turns on within seconds of an outage — with no action required. Connected to natural gas or propane, it can run indefinitely. Popular brands: Generac, Kohler, Briggs & Stratton.

Feature	Portable + Transfer Switch	Standby + Auto Transfer
Upfront cost	$1,500–$3,000 (generator + install)	$5,000–$15,000+ (unit + install)
Fuel	Gasoline (stored)	Natural gas or propane (continuous)
Activation	Manual — start generator, plug in, flip switch	Automatic — kicks on within seconds
Runtime	8–12 hours per tank (varies by load)	Indefinite (connected to gas line)
Best for	Essential circuits, budget-conscious backup	Whole-home, medical needs, frequent outages

How Generator Installation Works

• Load Assessment — We determine which circuits you need to power, size the transfer switch, and confirm fuel source availability.
• Installation — We install the transfer switch at your panel, run conduit to the exterior inlet or standby unit, and complete all wiring.
• Test & Walkthrough — We do a full transfer test (simulating an outage) to confirm the system switches cleanly, then walk you through operation.

Your panel may need a panel upgrade to support a generator circuit — we'll assess that during the estimate.