Charlotte has grown fast, and so have the demands on the grid. Thunderstorms hit in summer, ice snaps lines in winter, and maintenance windows create gaps. For many households across Mecklenburg County, a standby generator is no longer a luxury. It is a plan that keeps HVAC, refrigeration, sump pumps, and medical devices running during Duke Energy outages. Ewing Electric Co. helps homeowners choose, size, and install whole house systems that start automatically and power the home within seconds.
What triggers the switch from “maybe” to “it’s time”
The pattern is familiar in Myers Park, Ballantyne, and Dilworth. A humid July storm rolls through, power drops, and the home office shuts down mid-call. The refrigerator warms. The basement sump pump stops and water rises. After a second or third event, most owners decide to act. Standby systems answer that problem with automatic transfer, steady voltage, and fuel that lasts.
For households with medical needs, continuity is critical. Even a short interruption can affect oxygen concentrators or CPAP systems. Families with infants or elderly parents often move generator plans to the top of the list after one difficult outage. Remote workers in Plaza Midwood and NoDa do the same to protect their equipment and deadlines.
How a standby generator protects a Charlotte home
A properly installed standby generator watches the grid 24/7. During a grid failure, the Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) isolates the home from the utility and starts the generator. Most systems restore power to essential circuits in 10 to 30 seconds. The ATS also brings power back to the utility feed safely once Duke Energy is stable again.
Ewing Electric designs systems that keep central air running during long, hot afternoons. That reduces humidity, mold risk, and food spoilage. Smart load management can stage large loads such as HVAC, well pumps, and electric water heaters. This keeps the generator within its rated capacity while maintaining comfort.
Whole home generator installation done right
Whole home generator installation involves more than dropping a unit on a slab. It is a coordinated electrical project that must meet city code and manufacturer standards. Ewing Electric handles the full integration of the ATS with the existing electrical breaker panel, sets a level concrete pad, and sizes gas service for reliable fuel supply. The team coordinates with licensed gas plumbers for natural gas line connections or helps plan a correctly sized propane tank with the supplier. The crew sets the enclosure with proper setbacks, routes conduit cleanly, and confirms clearances near windows and ignition sources.
Factory-trained electricians test voltage regulation under load, confirm neutral bonding per code, and verify that surge protection and grounding match Charlotte requirements. They also schedule inspections, handle permitting with the city, and coordinate the final Duke Energy meter sync. This is turnkey work from site survey to final handoff.
Air-cooled or liquid-cooled: choosing the right system
Most standard homes in 28277 and 28210 can run on air-cooled generators from 14kW to 26kW. These units are compact, cost-effective, and service-friendly. Larger estates in South Park and Steele Creek often need liquid-cooled systems for higher continuous loads or multiple HVAC condensers. Liquid-cooled units handle long runtimes with lower operating noise and better thermal performance. Dual-fuel options can support sites with propane storage while natural gas remains the most common fuel in Charlotte suburbs.
Sizing starts with a load calculation. Ewing Electric reviews HVAC tonnage, electric ranges, well pumps, EV chargers, and dedicated medical equipment. The result guides whether to power the entire house or prioritize critical circuits through a managed subpanel. Either way, the ATS and voltage regulator protect sensitive electronics from spikes and drops.
Local conditions that make standby power smart in Charlotte
Charlotte’s weather swings create risk. Heavy summer thunderstorms can drop inches of rain in an hour. That overwhelms drains and leaves basements at risk if a sump pump loses power. Winter brings occasional ice storms that snap limbs across power lines. Rolling blackouts or grid maintenance can hit during peak demand. These events carry real costs: food loss, water damage, and HVAC downtime.
Neighborhood age matters too. Historic homes in Myers Park and Dilworth have specific electrical code requirements and space constraints. Ewing Electric has deep experience integrating modern ATS equipment with older breaker boxes and wiring layouts. Newer homes in Ballantyne or Steele Creek often need smart load management because of larger HVAC systems and open-concept layouts with many circuits. For condos near Bank of America Stadium, noise rules and space limits drive a different approach, often focusing on critical circuit coverage.
Brands Charlotte homeowners trust
Ewing Electric is an authorized installer for Generac and Kohler standby systems. The team sizes Generac Guardian series and Kohler Power units to match Charlotte load profiles and HVAC needs. For clients who prefer whole home generator installation premium features, Honeywell systems offer quiet operation and strong remote monitoring. Briggs & Stratton, Cummins, Champion, and Westinghouse are also supported when a project calls for a specific footprint or control platform. The goal is clear fit, reliable parts, and strong warranty support with factory-trained technicians.
From Ballantyne to Huntersville: coverage across the Queen City
Ewing Electric serves homeowners across Mecklenburg County and nearby towns. The crew supports projects in Myers Park, South Park, Dilworth, Elizabeth, NoDa, Plaza Midwood, Steele Creek, and beyond. Zip codes 28277 and 28210 see frequent installs due to growth and grid load. Homes near Freedom Park, Queens University of Charlotte, Discovery Place Science, and the U.S. National Whitewater Center benefit from fast response. Neighboring communities such as Matthews, Pineville, Huntersville, Mint Hill, Concord, Belmont, and Gastonia are within regular service range.
What the installation looks like from start to finish
A site visit comes first. The electrician reviews panel space, gas service, setbacks, and noise rules. A load calculation follows to size the generator and plan the ATS or subpanel approach. After permits, the crew pours the concrete pad, sets the enclosure, routes conduit, and wires the ATS. Gas trades set the natural gas line or prepare the propane tank and regulators. Power-up includes ATS testing, voltage checks, and a transfer drill under real load. After inspection and utility sync, the homeowner learns the basics: weekly exercise cycle, remote monitoring, and the maintenance schedule.
Protecting HVAC, kitchens, and medical devices during outages
Power outages rarely hit at a convenient time. During peak summer, an outage can push indoor humidity to levels that support mold in hours. Refrigerators warm quickly and freezers thaw. A reliable generator system prevents that loss and avoids the rush to find ice or a hotel room. For medical gear, stable power protects health and reduces stress. For home offices, automatic transfer saves equipment and prevents corrupted files.
Charlotte homeowners who experienced basement flooding often cite sump pump failure as the tipping point. A dedicated circuit in the ATS keeps that pump alive through every storm. Surge events are another concern during restoration. The generator’s voltage regulator and proper grounding reduce risk to appliances and electronics.
Quick comparison: portable vs. standby
- Portable units are useful for short outages and a few circuits. They require manual setup, fuel storage, and safe cord management. They cannot legally backfeed a home without a transfer mechanism. Standby systems start automatically, run on natural gas or a large propane tank, and power many or all circuits without manual work. They carry higher upfront cost but provide whole-home coverage and safer operation.
Cost, maintenance, and what to expect
In Charlotte, a typical air-cooled standby system with ATS and More help permits often falls in the mid to high five figures depending on load and fuel. Liquid-cooled systems for large estates cost more due to capacity, cooling, and installation scope. Maintenance is straightforward: oil and filter changes, battery checks, exercise cycle verification, and an annual inspection. Ewing Electric offers maintenance contracts and remote monitoring for alerts and runtime data.
Fuel planning matters. Natural gas service must meet BTU demand while other gas appliances run. Propane systems need a tank sized for multi-day operation with a reliable delivery path during storms. The team sizes fuel supply based on expected runtime and critical loads.
Why many Charlotte homeowners choose Ewing Electric
Clients want one accountable team. Ewing Electric is a licensed, insured, and bonded electrical contractor with factory-trained electricians. They manage permitting, inspections, pad placement, ATS wiring, and final utility coordination. Their projects cover everything from compact air-cooled units near South Park to liquid-cooled systems serving larger properties in 28269 and 28226. The company’s process is clean, documented, and tuned to Charlotte code and HOA requirements.
Whole House Generator FAQ
How much does a whole house generator cost in Charlotte?
Costs vary with size, site conditions, fuel type, and panel work. Many air-cooled installs land between 16kW and 26kW and include ATS, pad, gas work, and permits. Ewing Electric provides a free generator installation estimate after a site visit and load calculation.
Will a standby generator run central air?
Yes, if sized for the HVAC load and inrush current. Many Charlotte homes use 3 to 5 ton systems. The team often pairs the generator with soft-start kits or smart load management to handle compressor starts.
Does Ewing Electric handle permits and inspections?
Yes. The electricians manage Charlotte permits, schedule inspections, and coordinate the Duke Energy meter sync.
What brands do you install and service?
Generac and Kohler are the core lines. Honeywell, Briggs & Stratton, Cummins, Champion, and Westinghouse are available based on site needs and client preference.
How long does installation take?
Most projects complete in one to three days on site after permits, pad cure, and gas scheduling. Lead times depend on equipment availability and utility coordination.
Ready to move forward
Ewing Electric provides turnkey whole home generator installation across Charlotte, NC. The team sizes the unit, integrates the ATS with your electrical panel, pours the concrete pad, and handles utility coordination. Located within range of Freedom Park, they reach homes across the Queen City quickly. Contact Ewing Electric today to schedule a comprehensive load calculation and a free generator installation estimate. Keep your HVAC, refrigerator, home office, and medical devices running through every storm.
Ewing Electric Co provides dependable residential and commercial electrical services in Charlotte, NC. Family-owned for over 35 years, we handle electrical panel upgrades, EV charger installation, generator installation, whole-home rewiring, and 24/7 emergency repairs. Our licensed electricians deliver code-compliant, energy-efficient solutions with honest pricing and careful workmanship. From quick home fixes to full commercial installations, we’re known for reliable service done right the first time. Proudly serving Charlotte, Matthews, Mint Hill, and nearby communities.
Ewing Electric Co
7316 Wallace Rd STE D
Charlotte,
NC
28212,
USA
Phone: (704) 804-3320
Website: https://ewingelectricco.com/ | Electric Company in Charlotte
Social: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Yelp | Angi | BBB
Map: View on Google Maps