Whole-Home Generator Installation

Whole-Home Generator Installation in Kansas City and Lenexa, KS

Kansas City-area severe weather is a reliable annual event. Summer storms bring high winds, hail, and lightning that regularly knock out power across Johnson County. Winter ice storms can leave homes without power for days at a time. A permanently installed standby generator connected to your home’s natural gas or propane supply starts automatically within seconds of detecting a power failure and runs until utility power is restored, without any action required from the homeowner.

Lutz handles complete standby generator installations throughout Lenexa, Overland Park, Shawnee, Olathe, Prairie Village, and the Kansas City metro. We handle the electrical work, coordinate the gas connection with our plumbing team, and manage the full installation from permit to startup. Call (913) 631-2667 or contact us online.

Standby Generator vs. Portable Generator

Portable generators are inexpensive but require manual setup, outdoor placement, extension cords or a manual transfer switch, and fuel storage. They cannot be connected directly to a home’s wiring without a transfer switch and must never be operated indoors or near open windows due to carbon monoxide risk.

A standby generator is permanently installed outside the home on a concrete pad, connected to natural gas or propane, and wired to an automatic transfer switch at the home’s electrical panel. When the utility power fails, the transfer switch opens the utility connection and the generator starts automatically, typically restoring power within 10 to 30 seconds. When utility power returns, the transfer switch reconnects the utility and the generator shuts down. No manual action required.

For Johnson County homeowners who rely on medical equipment, work from home, have a sump pump protecting a finished basement from flooding, or simply want the certainty of continuous power through severe weather events, a standby generator is the appropriate solution.

Sizing a Standby Generator for a Johnson County Home

Generator sizing is based on the electrical load you want to support during an outage. Three general approaches:

Essential circuits only: A smaller generator (7 to 12 kW) powers selected circuits: refrigerator, select lighting, sump pump, a few outlets, and possibly the furnace or AC. This requires a transfer switch configured to switch only specific circuits. Lower cost but limited coverage.
Whole-home except HVAC: A mid-size generator (14 to 20 kW) can power the full home load except the central air conditioner, which is the largest single electrical draw in most Johnson County homes during summer.
Whole-home including HVAC: A larger generator (20 to 24 kW or more) powers the complete home electrical load including central AC. This is the most capable and most expensive option, but delivers genuine full-home power continuity through any outage duration.

We perform a load calculation for your specific home before recommending a generator size. The goal is right-sizing: a generator large enough to cover your actual needs without paying for capacity you will not use.

Automatic Transfer Switch: The Critical Component

The automatic transfer switch (ATS) is what makes a standby generator truly automatic. It monitors incoming utility power, detects a failure within milliseconds, opens the utility connection to prevent backfeed (which protects utility linemen working on the lines), and signals the generator to start. When the utility power returns, the ATS switches back and the generator shuts down through a cooldown cycle.

Transfer switches come in two configurations: a whole-panel ATS that switches the entire electrical service, and a load-center or selected-circuit ATS that switches only specific circuits. We discuss both options and their trade-offs based on the generator size and your coverage goals.

The Installation Process

A complete standby generator installation typically takes one to two days and involves:

Site assessment and generator placement: The generator must be placed on a level concrete pad, a minimum distance from doors, windows, and gas meters per code and manufacturer requirements. We determine the optimal placement for your property.
Electrical work: Installation of the automatic transfer switch at the panel, wiring from the transfer switch to the generator, and connection of the generator’s output leads. This is permitted electrical work in Johnson County.
Gas connection: The generator connects to the home’s natural gas supply through a dedicated line sized for the generator’s BTU demand. Our
Startup and load testing: We commission the generator, run it under load to verify operation, test the automatic transfer switch, and walk you through the maintenance requirements and exercise schedule.

Brands and Warranties

We install generators from major manufacturers including Generac, Kohler, Briggs and Stratton, and Cummins. Generac is the most commonly installed brand in the Kansas City residential market. Generator warranties typically cover the unit for five years on engine and alternator components. We also discuss maintenance plans for annual generator service, which is required to keep the warranty valid and to ensure the unit starts reliably when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a whole-home generator installation cost in Kansas City?

A complete standby generator installation in the Kansas City area typically ranges from $5,000 to $12,000 or more installed, depending on generator size (kW output), transfer switch configuration, gas line requirements, and site preparation needs. Smaller essential-circuit systems run toward the lower end; full-home systems with larger generators and longer gas line runs toward the higher end. We provide a specific written quote after the site assessment and load calculation.

How quickly does a standby generator restore power?

Most standby generators restore power within 10 to 30 seconds of a utility power failure. The transfer switch detects the outage, the generator cranks and reaches operating speed, and the ATS connects it to the home’s circuits. The brief delay is far shorter than the time it takes to manually set up and connect a portable generator.

What fuel does a standby generator use?

Most residential standby generators in the Kansas City area run on natural gas from the existing utility supply. Natural gas eliminates the fuel storage and shelf-life issues of gasoline or diesel. Propane is an option for homes without natural gas service. We size the gas line for the generator’s fuel demand as part of the installation.

Does a standby generator require maintenance?

Yes. Standby generators should be exercised weekly (most units do this automatically on a programmed schedule) and receive annual professional maintenance including oil change, spark plug inspection, battery check, and system test under load. Annual maintenance is typically required to maintain warranty coverage. We offer generator service as part of our ongoing maintenance program.

Does generator installation require a permit?

Yes. Standby generator installations require both an electrical permit for the transfer switch and panel work, and a gas permit for the fuel line. We handle both permits and coordinate inspections as part of the project.

What size generator does my Johnson County home need?

It depends on what you want to power during an outage. A 14 to 20 kW generator covers a whole home except central AC. A 20 kW or larger unit covers everything including AC, which matters in a summer outage in Kansas City. We perform a load calculation for your specific home and discuss the trade-offs between coverage and cost before recommending a size.

Can Lutz handle both the electrical and gas work for a generator installation?

Yes. As a full-service home services company, Lutz handles the complete generator installation: electrical work including the transfer switch and panel connections, gas line work through our licensed plumbing team, and the generator startup and commissioning. One company, one project, one point of contact.

Is financing available for generator installation?

Yes. Financing is available for qualifying homeowners. See our financing page for current options.