Keep the lights, heat and sump pump on when the power goes out.
Thinking about a whole-home standby generator? Tell us about your house and fuel, and an independent local generator installer who serves your town can give you a free quote. No obligation.
Why generator safety matters
Backup power is about comfort, but how you get it is a safety decision.
Portable generators kill people every year
CPSC estimates about 85 U.S. consumers die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by gasoline-powered portable generators, and 81% of those deaths happen at homes.(CPSC: Generator safety and carbon monoxide deaths)
Distance is not optional
CPSC says to run a portable generator only outdoors, at least 20 feet from the house, with the exhaust pointed away, and to have working CO alarms.(CPSC: Generator safety and carbon monoxide deaths)
Backfeeding can electrocute line workers
Plugging a generator into a wall outlet sends power back onto utility lines. CPSC warns this can electrocute utility workers and neighbors.(CPSC: Portable generator safety alert (PDF))
Use a transfer switch
OSHA says a generator should only be connected to a building's wiring through a transfer switch installed by a qualified electrician.(OSHA: Using portable generators safely (PDF), Ready.gov: Power outages (including generator safety))
Generator services
Standby Generator Installation
Get free quotes from independent local installers for whole-home standby generators (Generac, Kohler, Briggs & Stratton and more) in Wakefield, Reading, Lynnfield, Peabody and the North Shore, MA.
Transfer Switch Installation
Automatic and manual generator transfer switch installation quotes from independent local electricians in Wakefield, Melrose, Stoneham, Woburn and the North Shore, MA.
Generator Gas & Propane Hookup
Natural gas line and propane tank hookup for standby generators.
Generator Maintenance & Repair
Annual service, repairs and battery replacement for home standby generators.
Before you hire an installer
- Electrical work in Massachusetts must be done by a licensed electrician, and gas piping by a licensed plumber or gas fitter. Ask for license numbers and check them on the state's license lookup.
- Ask who pulls the electrical, gas and any building or zoning permits, and confirm the inspections are included in the price.
- Ask for a load calculation so the generator is sized to what you actually want to run, not guessed.
- Get the placement in writing: distance from windows, doors, vents and property lines, and the manufacturer's clearance requirements.
- Compare warranty terms and whether a maintenance plan is included or optional.
Why North Shore homeowners look at standby generators
Winter nor'easters, ice and summer storms can knock out power for hours or days. When that happens, a house loses more than lights: most furnaces and boilers need electricity to run, well pumps and sump pumps stop, and food spoils.
A permanently installed standby generator starts on its own through an automatic transfer switch, and it runs outdoors on natural gas or propane, so there are no gas cans and no cords through a window. That matters because portable generators used the wrong way are a leading cause of carbon monoxide deaths: the CPSC estimates about 85 consumers die each year in the U.S. from CO poisoning caused by gasoline-powered portable generators.
Standby generators are still fuel-burning equipment. Placement, exhaust clearance, the transfer switch and the gas piping all need to be done right, and in Massachusetts electrical and gas work requires licensed trades and permits. See Ready.gov's power outage guidance.
How getting a quote works
- Fill out the short form. Tell us your town and what is going on.
- A local pro contacts you. They talk through the job with you and set up a visit if needed.
- Get a quote and decide. Requesting a quote is free, and you are never obligated to hire.
Towns we cover
| Town | County | Median year built | Built before 1960 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wakefield | Middlesex | 1956 | 57% |
| Reading | Middlesex | 1960 | 51% |
| Melrose | Middlesex | 1938 | 70% |
| Stoneham | Middlesex | 1964 | 46% |
| Lynnfield | Essex | 1964 | 43% |
| Saugus | Essex | 1962 | 47% |
| Woburn | Middlesex | 1968 | 41% |
| Malden | Middlesex | 1950 | 56% |
| Lynn | Essex | 1946 | 63% |
| Peabody | Essex | 1966 | 40% |
| North Reading | Middlesex | 1975 | 28% |
| Wilmington | Middlesex | 1979 | 29% |
Housing figures: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates.
Generator questions
Is North Shore Generator Pros an installer?
No. We are a free service that connects homeowners with independent local professionals, who are responsible for their own work, pricing, licensing, permits, and insurance.
Does it cost anything to use this site?
No. Getting a quote is free for homeowners, and you are never obligated to hire anyone. We may be paid by the professionals we connect you with.
What towns do you cover?
Wakefield, Reading, Melrose, Stoneham, Lynnfield, Saugus, Woburn, Malden, Lynn, Peabody, North Reading and Wilmington, Massachusetts.
How do I check an installer before hiring?
Ask for the electrician's and gas fitter's Massachusetts license numbers and look them up, ask for proof of insurance, a written scope and price, and references.
How far from the house should a portable generator be?
CPSC says at least 20 feet, outdoors only, with the exhaust pointed away from the home, and never in a garage or basement, even with the door open.
Is it legal to backfeed through a dryer outlet?
It is unsafe and violates electrical code. CPSC warns backfeeding can electrocute utility workers and neighbors. Use a transfer switch or interlock installed by a licensed electrician.