Oklahoma Storms Make This Conversation Worth Having
If you’ve lived in the Tulsa area for more than a season or two, you know what storm season looks like. Severe thunderstorms, ice storms in winter, and the occasional prolonged outage from tornado damage are part of life in northeastern Oklahoma. For most homeowners, a few hours without power is an inconvenience. For those with well water pumps, medical equipment, or elderly family members, it can be much more serious.
A standby generator or a properly installed portable generator with a transfer switch changes that
equation entirely. But before you buy, there’s a lot worth understanding, including what the installation
actually involves and how to get it done safely and legally.
Portable vs. Standby: Which Is Right for You?
Portable Generators
Portable generators are less expensive upfront and can be stored until needed. The major limitation is that they require manual setup during an outage (often in bad weather), run on gasoline that needs to be stored safely, and must be connected through a proper transfer switch or interlock kit. Running a portable generator without a transfer switch is illegal in most jurisdictions and poses a serious risk of backfeed, sending electricity back into utility lines while workers are repairing them., or heavy machinery, can push well beyond that.
Standby Generators
Standby generators are permanently installed outside the home, connected to a natural gas or propane
supply, and wired directly to your electrical panel through an automatic transfer switch. When the power
goes out, a standby generator turns on automatically, usually within seconds. No running outside in a
storm, no gasoline to store, no manual switching. The tradeoff is higher upfront cost: whole-home
standby generators typically run $5,000 to $15,000 or more installed, depending on capacity.
Sizing: How Much Power Do You Actually Need?
The most common mistake homeowners make when buying a generator is buying one that’s either too small to run what matters or more capacity than they’ll ever need. Here’s a practical framework:
- Essential circuits only (well pump, refrigerator, a few lights, one AC unit): 7,000–10,000 watts
- Comfortable whole-home coverage (all appliances, AC, charging, well pump): 14,000–20,000 watts
- Full home with electric vehicle charging or large HVAC: 20,000+ watts
The right answer depends on your home’s electrical load, something we can calculate precisely during an assessment.
What Installation Actually Involves
Generator installation is not a DIY project. It requires licensed electrical work and, in most cases, permits from the City of Tulsa or your municipality. Here’s what a professional installation includes:
- Site assessment: determining the appropriate location (distance from windows and doors, accessibility for fueling/maintenance, local code requirements)
- Load calculation: determining what circuits will be covered and confirming generator capacity matches
- Transfer switch or interlock installation: the critical safety component that prevents backfeed to utility lines
- Fuel connection: coordination with your gas provider if connecting to natural gas
- Permit and inspection: required for all permanent standby generator installations
The Buxton Standard: You’ll Know Where Your Project Stands
Our generator installation process:
We start with an in-home assessment to understand your needs, your home’s electrical system, and your site conditions. We’ll give you a clear, upfront quote covering all work, including permits. Once you approve, we schedule the installation and communicate with you throughout the project. You’ll know what’s happening and when, from assessment to final inspection.
