"Had three other electricians tell me different things about what size generator I needed. Aaron came out, showed me the load calculation, and explained exactly why the 22kW was right for our home. Job was done in a day. When the next storm hit we didn't skip a beat."
Houston's Generator Installation Experts Since 1998
When the Grid Goes Down,
Your House Stays On.
Professionally installed standby generators that start automatically — before you even notice the power's out. Aaron-Carter Electric has handled generator installs across Houston since 1998.
Licensed & Insured
⥠All Major Brands
â 4.9 Stars · Google
đŧ Financing Available
Sound familiar?
Houston Loses Power.
Houston Loses Power.
It's Not a Question of If
— It's When.
Harvey. Nicholas. Beryl. Every major storm puts thousands of Houston homes dark for days. And that's before you factor in the grid failures, ice events, and summer heat that don't make national headlines — but absolutely affect your life.
95°F inside your house
AC down for 3 days post-storm. Not just uncomfortable — dangerous for kids, elderly, and pets.
$800+ of food spoiled in the fridge
Two days without power costs more than you think. A generator pays for itself faster than people expect.
Medical equipment goes dark
CPAP machines, refrigerated medications, oxygen concentrators — these aren't optional.
Sump pumps fail during flooding
No power means no sump pump. Your home floods from the inside out while rain is still coming down.
1998
Serving
Houston
Houston
4K+
Customers
Served
Served
A properly installed standby generator detects a power failure within seconds and starts automatically — whether you're home, at work, or asleep at 2 AM. You don't touch anything.
⥠Average payback period on a whole-home generator:
3–5 major outages
When you factor in food loss, hotel costs, and property damage prevention
"After Hurricane Beryl we were without power for 8 days. Aaron installed our Generac that fall. When the next outage hit, we didn't even know — the lights never went out."
— J. Morales, West Houston Generator Types
Every Option. Sized Right.
Every Option. Sized Right.
Installed to Code.
We assess your home's square footage, critical loads, and budget — then recommend the right generator, not the one with the best margin.
Most Popular
Whole-Home Standby Generator
Permanently installed outside your home, connected to your natural gas or propane line. Turns on automatically within 10–30 seconds of an outage. Runs your entire home indefinitely.
- â Automatic transfer — zero intervention required
- â Natural gas or propane — no fuel to store
- â Powers AC, refrigerators, all critical systems
- â Sizes from 10kW to 20kW+ for any home
Critical-Circuit Generator
Covers your most important loads — refrigerator, AC, lights, sump pump, a few outlets. More affordable than whole-home; still automatic.
- â Lower upfront cost than whole-home
- â Protects what matters most
- â Automatic transfer switch included
- â Good option for smaller homes
Commercial & Business Generators
Critical power for commercial properties, office buildings, restaurants, and businesses where downtime costs money. Larger kW ratings, code-compliant installation.
- â 20kW to 100kW+ commercial units
- â Permitted & inspected to commercial code
- â Works with all commercial transfer switches
- â Same team — residential and commercial
How It Works
From First Call to
From First Call to
First Automatic Startup
Four steps. Honest timeline. No surprises at any point.
1
Site Assessment & Sizing
We visit the property, assess your panel, calculate your critical loads, and tell you exactly what size generator you need — and why. No upselling.
1–2 Hours2
Permit & Gas Coordination
We pull the necessary electrical permit and coordinate with your gas provider for proper line sizing and pressure. Done correctly from the start.
3–7 Business Days3
Installation Day
Generator pad, unit placement, transfer switch wiring, gas connection, and panel integration — all done in one day for most residential installs.
1 Day (Typically)4
Testing & Walkthrough
We simulate a power failure, verify automatic transfer works correctly, run a full load test, and walk you through weekly exercise mode and basic maintenance.
Same DayDon't Wait Until the Next Storm to Start Planning.
Lead times on generator units extend after major weather events. The time to install is before you need it.
Don't Cut Corners Here
Why a Generator Install Is Not a DIY Job —
Why a Generator Install Is Not a DIY Job —
or a Job for an Unlicensed Handyman
Generator installation involves your home's electrical panel, natural gas or propane lines, and local permitting requirements. Getting it wrong isn't just inconvenient — it's dangerous.
⥠Backfeed Can Kill
An improperly installed generator without a transfer switch can backfeed electricity onto utility lines — electrocuting utility workers attempting to restore power during or after the storm.
đĨ Code Violations Create Liability
Unpermitted generator installs in Texas are code violations. Your homeowner's insurance can deny claims resulting from unpermitted electrical work. This includes fire claims.
đ¸ It Won't Work When You Need It
An improperly sized or wired unit trips breakers or fails to transfer under load — exactly when the storm hits and you're depending on it. Wrong sizing is the #1 DIY generator mistake.
We pull the permit. We size the unit correctly for your actual loads. We wire the transfer switch properly. We test it before we leave. That's what serving Houston since 1998 looks like.
Call (713) 962-2797 What You Get
Every Generator Install
Every Generator Install
Includes All of This
No line items showing up on install day that weren't in the estimate.
-
Site assessment & load calculation We measure your actual electrical loads — not a guess based on square footage alone.
-
Permit procurement & inspection coordination We pull the permit. We schedule the inspection. You don't have to manage city bureaucracy.
-
Concrete pad installation Generator units require a level, properly supported pad. Included — not an add-on.
-
Automatic transfer switch (ATS) installation The component that makes your generator truly automatic. Wired directly into your panel.
-
Full load test before we leave We simulate an outage and verify the generator carries your actual load before the job is done.
-
Owner walkthrough & exercise mode setup We show you weekly exercise mode, oil check intervals, and what to listen for during operation.
Serving Houston Since 1998.
We Know What You're Up Against.
12+
Named storms affecting Houston since 2000
8
Days avg. power loss after major events
Aaron-Carter Electric has been here for every major weather event that's hit Houston since 1998 — Allison, Ike, Harvey, Winter Storm Uri, Nicolas, Beryl. We've seen what works and what fails.
Our recommendation for most Houston homes: A 22kW–26kW whole-home Generac or Kohler unit on natural gas. It's enough headroom to run your AC, refrigerators, and all critical loads simultaneously during a Texas summer outage.
đŧ Financing Available
Generator installs are a significant investment. We offer financing options so you can have whole-home protection now — not after the next storm.
Brands We Install
Top-Tier Brands. Manufacturer-Compliant Installation.
We install and service all major residential and commercial generator brands. We recommend based on your needs — not brand relationships.
Generac
Kohler
Briggs & Stratton
Cummins
Champion
Honeywell
Already have a unit you purchased? We install customer-supplied generators. Call to discuss →
They Were Ready. You Can Be Too.
Houston Homeowners Who Won't Get Caught Unprepared Again
"My mother has a CPAP and heart medication that needs refrigeration. After Harvey I knew I had to do something. Aaron-Carter installed our Kohler unit and made sure the transfer switch was wired to include her room's outlets specifically. That level of care was unexpected."
"Used them for our commercial property on the north side. Pulled the permit themselves, coordinated everything, passed inspection first time. Other contractors had quoted the job cheaper but none of them mentioned the permit — I found out later that's because they weren't going to get one."
FAQ
Generator Install Questions.
Generator Install Questions.
Straight Answers.
How much does a generator install cost in Houston?
Whole-home standby generator installs in Houston typically range from $5,000 to $12,000+, depending on generator size, panel complexity, gas line requirements, and permit fees. We don't quote blind — we assess the job first and give you a number you can rely on. Financing is available for qualifying installs.
What size generator do I need for my Houston home?
For most Houston homes (2,000–3,500 sq ft), a 22kW–26kW unit is the right fit — enough to run your AC, refrigerators, and all critical loads through a Texas summer outage. Smaller homes can manage with 14kW–18kW. We calculate this from your actual electrical loads, not just a square footage estimate.
How long does a generator install take?
Most residential installs are completed in one day once the permit is approved and the unit is on site. The permitting process typically takes 3–7 business days. Pad, unit, transfer switch wiring, gas connection, and full testing all happen the same day.
Does a generator require a permit in Houston?
Yes. Standby generator installation requires an electrical permit in Harris County and most surrounding jurisdictions. We pull the permit — it's part of our process, not an add-on. Unpermitted generator work creates homeowner's insurance exposure and can create code violations that surface at sale.
Natural gas or propane — which should I choose?
Natural gas is the preferred choice for most Houston homeowners because CenterPoint's gas supply typically stays active during power outages — meaning your generator runs indefinitely without worrying about fuel. Propane is a good option if you're outside CenterPoint's service area or prefer a stored fuel supply.
Can I use a portable generator instead?
Portable generators are better than nothing but have significant limitations: they must be manually started, they run on gasoline (which runs out), they can't be used inside or in a garage (carbon monoxide risk), and they typically can't power your AC. A standby unit starts automatically, runs indefinitely on natural gas, and powers your full home.
Do you service generators after installation?
Yes. We handle warranty service and ongoing maintenance for generators we install. Annual maintenance (oil change, filter, spark plugs, full system check) is recommended for all standby units. Call to ask about our service program.
I already bought a generator. Can you install it?
Yes. We install customer-supplied units regularly. The installation cost is the same — we still need to assess the site, pull the permit, and wire the transfer switch correctly. Call us with the make and model before scheduling so we can confirm it's the right size for your home.
Have a question not answered here?
Call (713) 962-2797 Ready to Stop Worrying About the Next Outage?
Houston Has Storms.
Houston Has Storms.
Your House Doesn't Have to Go Dark.
Serving Houston since 1998. 4,000+ customers. Licensed, insured, and permitted every time. We install generators that work when you need them — not generators that just exist in your yard.
Licensed & Insured
Permitted Every Time
Family Owned Since 1998
All Major Brands
Financing Available