Backup Power
Generator Installation
in Vancouver, WA
It's February. An ice storm rolls through Clark County and knocks out power for 40,000 homes. Your neighbor's generator kicks on before their lights even flicker. They've got heat, a working fridge, and hot coffee. You're sitting in the dark with a flashlight and a blanket.
Newman Electric installs standby and whole-home backup generators across Vancouver, WA so you never end up on the wrong side of that scenario again. We handle everything from the load calculation to the gas line to the automatic transfer switch. One call, and you're covered for the next outage.
Why Generators Matter Here
Vancouver, WA Loses Power
More Than You Think
The Pacific Northwest is beautiful until an ice storm buries power lines under half an inch of glaze. Clark PUD serves over 200,000 customers in Clark County, and when a major storm hits, outages can last anywhere from a few hours to several days. The January 2024 ice storm left thousands of homes in Vancouver without power for over 72 hours. Some neighborhoods near Brush Prairie and Hockinson didn't come back online for a week.
Windstorms are the other problem. The Pacific Northwest gets its share of them every fall and winter, and downed trees take out overhead lines fast. The Columbus Day Storm of 1962 remains the benchmark, but we get smaller versions of that event almost every year. When wind gusts hit 60 mph and a Doug fir falls across a distribution line, Clark PUD crews scramble, but there are only so many trucks.
Newman Electric has installed backup generators for homeowners across Vancouver, WA who got tired of waiting for the power to come back. Some have medical equipment that can't lose power. Others have freezers full of food, home offices, or kids who need heat in January. The reasons vary, but the solution is the same: a standby generator with an automatic transfer switch that fires up on its own the moment utility power drops.
Common Outage Causes in Clark County
Ice storms
Freezing rain coats power lines and tree branches, causing breakage and contact
Windstorms
60+ mph gusts bring down trees across overhead distribution lines
Summer heat events
Transformer overloads during extreme heat waves can trigger localized outages
Vehicle accidents
Cars hitting utility poles along Highway 99, Fourth Plain, and rural county roads
Planned maintenance
Clark PUD and BPA scheduled outages for grid upgrades and repairs
Know the Difference
Standby Generator vs.
Portable Generator
Both keep the lights on during an outage, but they work very differently. Most of the generator installation work Newman Electric does in Vancouver involves standby units, but portable generators have their place too. We broke down the differences below.
Standby Generator
Whole Home Backup
Best for: Homeowners who want full coverage without lifting a finger. Medical equipment, home offices, families with young kids, anyone who can't afford hours or days without power.
Portable Generator
Partial Backup
Best for: Occasional, short-term outages where you only need to run a fridge, a few lights, and charge devices. Good for camping, job sites, or as a stopgap until you install a standby unit.
Ryan's take: "When Clark PUD goes down during an ice storm, your standby generator kicks on before you even notice. That's the whole point of a standby unit. You're not out in the garage pulling a cord at 2 a.m. in the dark. If you've got the budget for it, a standby generator is the right answer for most homes."
Our Process
How Generator Installation Works
with Newman Electric
A generator installation is a multi-trade job. You need electrical work, gas line work, concrete, and permits. Newman Electric coordinates the full project so you have one point of contact from start to finish. This is the process for every home generator we install in the Vancouver, WA area.
Site Assessment
We visit your home to figure out the best location for the generator. It needs to sit on a concrete or gravel pad, at least 5 feet from windows and doors, and within reach of both your gas line and your electrical panel. We also check your existing panel capacity and note anything that might need upgrading.
Load Calculation
We go through your electrical panel circuit by circuit and figure out what you actually need to power during an outage. Not everyone needs a 22kW unit. If you just want the furnace, fridge, lights, and a few outlets, a smaller unit saves you money. If you want the whole house including AC and an EV charger, we'll size it accordingly.
Gas Line + Concrete Pad
A standby generator runs on natural gas or propane. We coordinate the gas line installation from your meter to the generator pad, and the pad itself gets poured or set. Newman Electric handles the permits with the city of Vancouver or Clark County depending on your location.
Electrical Connection + Transfer Switch
This is where our crew spends most of the install day. We wire the automatic transfer switch at your main electrical panel and run the power cable to the generator. The transfer switch monitors your utility feed and switches to generator power within seconds of an outage. When utility power returns, it switches back automatically.
Testing + Commissioning
Once everything is connected, we fire up the generator, simulate a utility outage, and verify automatic transfer. We test every circuit, check voltage and frequency, and make sure the unit shuts down cleanly when utility power is restored. You get a walkthrough on how to read the status panel and set the weekly test schedule.
Generator Installation Quick Facts
1-2 Days
Typical electrical install time
10-22kW
Common residential range
Permit
Required, we handle it
Auto
Transfer switch included
About James: "James handles most of our generator installs. He's fast, clean, and he knows these units inside and out. Customers mention him by name in reviews for a reason."
Sizing Your Generator
What Size Home Generator
Do You Actually Need?
The biggest mistake people make is buying a generator that's too big or too small. Newman Electric sizes every unit based on a real load calculation of your home. We walk through your panel, look at what you need to run during an outage, and give you an honest recommendation. This rough guide will get you started.
Common Appliance Wattages
Refrigerator
Running / 1,200W startup
600W
Central AC (3-ton)
Running / 5,000W startup
3,500W
Gas Furnace Blower
Running / 1,500W startup
800W
Well Pump
Running / 3,000W startup
1,500W
Sump Pump
Running / 1,200W startup
800W
Electric Water Heater
Continuous draw
4,500W
EV Charger (Level 2)
240V / 30A circuit
7,200W
Lighting (whole home)
LED fixtures typical
1,000W
Garage Door Opener
Running / 1,100W startup
550W
Microwave
Typical 1,000W model
1,000W
Quick Sizing Examples
Essential Circuits Only
Fridge, furnace, lights, sump pump, a few outlets
10-12kW generator
3-Bedroom Home with AC
Everything above plus central air, water heater, well pump
16-18kW generator
Whole Home + EV Charger
Full house coverage including Level 2 EV charger, shop, hot tub
20-22kW generator
Ryan's take: "We size the generator based on what you actually need to run. Not everyone needs a 22kW unit. We'll do a load calculation and give you an honest answer. If 14kW covers your home, I'm not going to sell you a 22."
Real Reviews
What Customers Say After
Their Generator Installation
"We decided to bite the bullet and get a whole-home generator. Ryan came out as scheduled and we went for it. James did the installation, and was terrific: he worked fast, clean, and efficiently."
James Luttenbacher
Whole-Home Generator
"James did everything I expected and quickly with a minimum of power interruptions, which is important because my wife is on continuous supplemental oxygen and we had to use a tank for less than an hour while James completed the wiring. He hauled my 7.5K generator down to the garage and fired it up to test that all worked as needed. Thanks Newman"
Central Point
Generator Wiring
"Ok public service announcement here. If you are looking for workers who come on time, do great work, clean up after themselves and are respectful to the customer, look no further. Newman Electric checks ALL the boxes."
Paul Fleck
Electrical Service
Common Questions
Generator Installation FAQs
The cost depends on the size of the generator, whether you need a gas line run, and the complexity of your electrical panel. A small standby unit on an existing gas line costs less than a 22kW whole-home generator with a new propane tank and a panel upgrade. Newman Electric provides free on-site estimates so we can give you an accurate number based on your actual home.
The electrical portion typically takes 1-2 days. The full project including the concrete pad, gas line, and electrical work usually takes 2-4 days spread over a week or two depending on permit turnaround and scheduling. We coordinate all the trades so you have one point of contact.
A standby generator is permanently installed outside your home, runs on natural gas or propane, and starts automatically during an outage via an automatic transfer switch. A portable generator runs on gasoline, requires manual startup, and connects through extension cords or a manual transfer switch. Standby generators power your whole home; portable units typically handle only a few circuits.
Yes. Generator installation in Washington state requires an electrical permit and typically a mechanical permit for the gas line. If you're inside Vancouver city limits, permits go through the city. In unincorporated Clark County, electrical permits go through Washington State L&I. Newman Electric pulls all permits and schedules inspections as part of every generator installation.
We install Generac, Kohler, Briggs & Stratton, and other major brands. Most of our residential generator installations in Vancouver use Generac units because of their reliability, parts availability, and warranty support. But we'll recommend the best fit for your home and budget.
It depends on what you want to power. If you're backing up essential circuits only, a 100-amp panel may work fine with a transfer switch. If you want whole-home backup, you may need a panel upgrade to 200 amps first. We'll figure this out during the load calculation and let you know upfront.
The automatic transfer switch sits between your utility feed and your electrical panel. It constantly monitors incoming power from Clark PUD. When it detects a loss of utility power, it sends a signal to the generator to start. Within 10-30 seconds, the transfer switch disconnects you from the grid and connects you to the generator. When utility power is restored, it reverses the process automatically.
Most standby generators run on natural gas or propane (LP). If you have a natural gas line to your house, that's usually the simplest option because the fuel supply is continuous. If natural gas isn't available at your property, we set up a propane tank. Both fuel types work well, and we'll help you decide which makes more sense for your location.
Related Services
Often Done Alongside a Generator Installation
Electrical Panel Upgrade
Upgrade to 200A for full generator support
EV Charger Installation
Add a Level 2 charger to your garage
Surge Protection
Whole-home protection at the panel
Dedicated Circuits
Separate circuits for heavy-draw loads
Whole House Rewiring
Replace outdated wiring throughout
Electrical Repair
Fix wiring issues and breaker problems
Smart Home Wiring
Structured wiring for home automation
Heat Pump Wiring
Electrical connections for heat pump systems
Service Area
Generator Installation Across
Vancouver & Clark County
Newman Electric installs standby generators and backup power systems for homeowners throughout Clark County and into Cowlitz County. Homes in rural areas like Brush Prairie, Hockinson, and La Center are especially vulnerable to extended outages because overhead power lines run through heavily wooded corridors. But even neighborhoods inside Vancouver city limits lose power during major ice storms.
If you live in our service area and you're thinking about a home generator, we'll come out and give you a free estimate. No pressure, just a straight answer on what size generator your house needs and what the installation involves.
Done Waiting for the
Power to Come Back?
Newman Electric will come to your home, walk through your electrical panel, and tell you exactly what size backup generator you need and what the installation looks like. Free estimate, no obligation. Most generator installations in Vancouver, WA can be scheduled within a few weeks of signing off.