Power that stays on — even when the grid doesn't.
Home standby generator installation across San Diego and Orange County. A generator on natural gas or propane starts by itself within seconds of an outage and keeps your home running through multi-day Public Safety Power Shutoffs.
- Generac and Cummins home standby generators, sized by load calculation
- Gas piping, transfer switch, permit and startup in one contract
- Maintenance plans and remote monitoring
- Pair with Tesla Powerwall 3 for silent, all-day backup
Get your generator quote
Free site assessment. We reply within one business day.
Automatic backup, no extension cords
A home standby generator is permanently installed outside, connected to your gas supply and to an automatic transfer switch next to your panel. When the grid fails, the switch starts the generator and moves your home to generator power within seconds — whether you're home or not.
It exercises itself every week, and with remote monitoring we can see a problem before the next outage does.
One licensed team from sizing to startup
Sizing & load calculation
- Whole-home or essential-circuit coverage
- Load calculation per the electrical code
- Load management for large appliances
- Clear written recommendation
Generator & transfer switch
- Air-cooled home standby units
- Automatic transfer switch (ATS)
- Service-rated and smart switches
- Concrete or composite pad
Natural gas & propane
- Gas line sizing and piping
- Gas meter upgrade coordination
- Propane tank sizing for runtime
- Pressure and leak testing
Permit, inspection & startup
- Placement meeting clearance rules
- Permit and HOA paperwork
- Inspection and utility coordination
- Startup, load test and walkthrough
Maintenance & monitoring
- Annual service plans
- Oil, filters, plugs and battery
- Wi-Fi or cellular remote monitoring
- Alerts before the next outage
Commercial standby
- Offices, clinics and restaurants
- Telecom and light industrial
- Three-phase and liquid-cooled units
- Critical-load panels
Generac and Cummins home standby
Two of the most trusted names in backup power. We recommend the right model for your home, fuel and budget — and install it end to end.
Generac
- The market-leading home standby brand in the U.S.
- Air-cooled home units and liquid-cooled models for larger loads
- Wi-Fi remote monitoring and customer financing available
Cummins
- Quiet-running home standby generators
- Backed by a global leader in engines and power generation
- Automatic transfer switch and load management options
What size generator do you need?
Typical ranges — your exact size comes from a load calculation of your home.
Essential circuits
Refrigerator, lights, internet, garage door, furnace fan and a few outlets.
Most homes
Whole-home coverage for many homes, including central A/C with load management.
Large homes
Larger homes with multiple A/C units, pool equipment or electric appliances.
Estates & commercial
Liquid-cooled units for very large homes, businesses and three-phase service.
Generator, battery — or both?
We install both, so we recommend what fits your outages and your budget.
| Option | Best for | Runtime | Everyday value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standby generator | Long, multi-day shutoffs; large homes and A/C | Days on natural gas; propane depends on tank size | Backup only |
| Tesla Powerwall 3 | Short outages, silent backup, solar homes | Hours to days depending on load and solar | Saves money daily with solar and time-of-use rates |
| Both together | Fire-risk areas and homes that can't lose power | Battery first, generator for long events | Solar savings plus unlimited backup |
Generator and battery combinations must be designed to each manufacturer's supported configuration. Tesla Powerwall 3 installation →
Power shutoffs can last for days
During high-wind fire weather, the utility can shut off power to whole communities to prevent wildfires — and restoring it can take days while lines are inspected. In January 2025, thousands of San Diego County customers were without power across multiple days.
A standby generator keeps the refrigerator, well pump, medical devices, internet, security and A/C running for as long as the shutoff lasts.
Before you call, check:
- Do you have natural gas service, or room for a propane tank?
- What must keep running — A/C, well pump, medical equipment?
- What size is your main panel? Panel upgrades →
- Any HOA rules on equipment placement?
- Do you have, or want, solar and a battery?
Generators we install
Generac and Cummins are our primary lines, and we install other major brands on request.
| Brand | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Generac | Home standby and light commercial | Our primary line · financing and remote monitoring available |
| Cummins | Quiet home standby (QuietConnect) and commercial standby | Primary line · automatic transfer switches and load management |
| Kohler | Premium residential and commercial standby | Installed on request |
| Briggs & Stratton | Residential standby | Installed on request |
Brand names are trademarks of their respective owners. CL Electric is a Generac Aligned Contractor; other listings do not imply partnership. Financing is offered through Generac's financing partner, subject to credit approval.
From site visit to first automatic start
Site assessment
Loads, panel, gas meter, placement and clearances, and what must keep running.
Sizing & fixed quote
Load calculation, generator and transfer switch selection, and financing options.
Permit & install
Pad, gas piping, transfer switch and wiring by our licensed team, then inspection.
Startup & care
Load test, app and monitoring setup, a walkthrough, and a maintenance plan.
Generator installation across San Diego and Orange County
CL Electric installs home and commercial standby generators throughout San Diego County and Orange County, including:
San Diego County
- San Diego
- Carlsbad
- Oceanside
- Encinitas
- Escondido
- San Marcos
- Vista
- Poway
- La Jolla
- Del Mar
- Chula Vista
- El Cajon
- Santee
- Rancho Bernardo
- Ramona
- Julian
- Alpine
- Valley Center
- Fallbrook
- Jamul
- Pine Valley
- Rancho Santa Fe
- Bonsall
- Descanso
Orange County
- Irvine
- Newport Beach
- Huntington Beach
- Mission Viejo
- Laguna Niguel
- San Clemente
- Lake Forest
- Costa Mesa
- Anaheim
- Santa Ana
- Orange
- Tustin
Common questions
Be ready before the next shutoff.
Book your free generator assessment today.