Whole House Generator Installation in Rohnert Park & Sonoma County
Real sizing — what "whole house" actually requires — from a licensed local electrical contractor.
Why Sonoma County Homes & Businesses Call Bright Right First
- We size for simultaneous load, not just total wattage.
- We show you the real way to get whole-house coverage without an oversized system.
- Licensed, insured, and available 24/7 — call (707) 791-5552 any time your project needs an electrician on-site.
★★★★★
5.0 · 27 Google reviews
20+ years
in the trade
CSLB #1156335
licensed · bonded · insured
Sonoma County
owned & operated
Whole House Generator Installation
Why Sonoma County Chooses Bright Right
- Local, family-owned electrical contractor based right in Rohnert Park — not a call center routing you to a subcontractor.
- Straightforward answers on coverage scope, sizing, and cost, explained before you sign anything.
- CSLB-licensed (#1156335) and available around the clock for anything that comes up along the way.
Whole House Generator Installation
What Is Whole House Generator Installation?
Whole house generator installation covers the real coverage-scope decision behind a backup power system — running every circuit in your home simultaneously, rather than just a select few. This is different from our Standby Generator Installation page, which covers equipment selection (fuel type, cooling technology, brand). This page is about how much of your home actually gets covered, and what that genuinely requires.
Getting this scope decision right avoids two real problems: paying for more generator than you need, or discovering your "whole house" system can't actually run your central AC. Bright Right Electric installs whole-house generator systems for homes and businesses across Sonoma County, as a CSLB-licensed electrical contractor (#1156335) based right in Rohnert Park.
Whole House Generator Installation
Our Process
A whole house generator installation moves through the same core stages:
01
Load Assessment
We review your home's electrical loads, including central AC, EV charging, and major appliances.
02
Coverage Scope Decision
We help you decide between whole-house and essential-circuits coverage based on your real priorities.
03
Future-Load Accounting
We build in reasonable headroom for future additions like an EV charger or new HVAC system.
04
Smart Shedding Configuration
Where applicable, we configure load management to avoid oversizing your system.
05
Installation
We install the generator, fuel connection, and transfer switch correctly.
06
Commissioning
We test the complete system under real simultaneous load to confirm it performs as sized.
Whole House Generator Installation
How Much Does Whole House Generator Installation Cost?
Whole-house systems typically run $6,000–$25,000 installed, with most homeowners paying $10,000–$15,000 for a properly sized system. Larger, premium installations can reach $30,000 or more.
Whole House Generator Installation
What Does "Whole House" Actually Mean?
This is genuinely important and easy to misunderstand: a generator's kW rating is the simultaneous load it can carry — not the total wattage of every appliance in your home. The real question isn't "how much does everything add up to?" It's "what's running at the same moment my AC compressor kicks on?" This distinction is why two homes with similar square footage can need very different generator sizes.
Whole House vs. Essential Circuits: Real Size Ranges
Here's an honest breakdown of both real options:
| Essential Circuits | Whole House | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical size | 10–14kW | 20–22kW (24–26kW+ for larger homes) |
| Covers | Fridge, lights, furnace, well pump | Everything, including central AC |
| Best for | Budget-conscious, core essentials only | Full convenience during an outage |
Neither is universally better — the right choice depends on your budget and how much convenience matters to you during an outage.
Whole House Generator Installation
The Real Sweet Spot: Whole House With Smart Load Shedding
This is genuinely the option most homeowners who can afford a standby generator actually choose: a whole-house system paired with a smart transfer switch that sheds non-critical loads (like a second AC zone, dryer, or water heater) during demand spikes. This lets a properly sized 22–26kW unit cover a home that would otherwise need a much larger, more expensive system — real whole-house coverage without paying for an oversized generator.
Does Your EV Charger or Central AC Change Your Sizing?
Yes, genuinely — these are two of the biggest real load drivers. Central air conditioning is often the single biggest load in a home, especially with a large startup surge. A Level 2 EV charger can add 7,200–9,600 watts of continuous demand, meaningfully changing your sizing needs. Many homeowners switch to Level 1 charging — a much lower, more generator-friendly load — specifically during outages to reduce this impact.
Should You Size for More Than You Need Today?
It's worth considering: sizing your generator about 20% above your current calculated load builds in real headroom for future additions like an EV charger or new HVAC system, making those upgrades meaningfully easier to accommodate later rather than requiring a full system replacement.
Whole House Generator Installation
What's Included
Whole house generator installation often works alongside these related services:
Generator Installation
Generator installation covers real pricing tiers and the local PSPS context that makes backup power a genuine need in Sonoma County.
Standby Generator Installation
Standby generator installation covers the real fuel-type and cooling-technology decisions once your coverage scope is defined.
Automatic Transfer Switch Installation
Automatic transfer switch installation covers the real load-shedding technology that makes whole-house coverage possible without oversizing.
Generator Installation Service
Generator installation service covers the full-service, single-point-of-contact experience for a new system.
Generator Power Systems
Generator power systems covers smart monitoring that helps you track your system's performance and keep your warranty protected.
Whole House Generator Installation
Why Sonoma County Chooses Bright Right Electric
We size for simultaneous load, not a guess.
What's running when your AC kicks on is the real question — we size to that, not a rough total.
We help you avoid an oversized, overpriced system.
Smart load shedding gets you real whole-house coverage without paying for capacity you don't need.
We plan for your future, not just today.
Real headroom for an EV charger or new HVAC system, built in from the start.
We're licensed, insured, and available 24/7.
As a CSLB-licensed contractor (#1156335), we're reachable at (707) 791-5552 any time your project needs an electrician on-site.
08 ─────── Reviews
What Rohnert Park Customers Are Saying
"This is the most professional company I have ever worked with. I am a difficult person and hard to please (I have really high standards (as a retired science teacher) and I am skeptical of workmen and I'm a perfectionist!). Bright Right is currently working on the 3rd job I have hired them for – everything has gone smoothly, no stress at all!!! They are so friendly and so courteous. Rick and Dustin are an effective team with their two unique personalities – both very upbeat, serious, and kind. They explain everything in detail and answer all my questions (I am hyper-concerned about my property), and they are basically experienced, conscientious electricians you can trust."
— Nora Parker · Google Review
"I recently hired Dustin for some electrical work at my home, and I couldn't be happier with the results. He installed a high-quality bathroom fan, finished installing several outlets around the house, and completed a new electrical panel installation. From start to finish, Dustin was professional, knowledgeable, and clearly takes pride in doing the job right. The new panel installation was the bigger job, and Dustin handled it with real expertise. Everything was organized, labeled, and done to a very high standard, which gave me a lot of confidence in the safety and quality of the work."
— Google Review
"Bright Right did the electrical for our kitchen remodel and we couldn't be happier, we have since then added an EV with them and they were as good as the first time. Highly recommend!"
— Joey Evans · Google Review
"Shout out to Dustin Fildes, the electrician they sent to do the work at my house. You can tell he takes pride in his work. He's a very professional and very friendly. Individual would absolutely recommend Bright Right Electric and specifically Dustin to all my family and friends. Thank you Bright Right"
— Robert Horner, Google Review
Google Business Profile
5.0
Across 27 Google reviews
Whole House Generator Installation
Serving Sonoma County Homes & Businesses
Bright Right Electric is based at 1150 Holly Ave in Rohnert Park, and we install accent lighting for homes and businesses throughout Sonoma County — from Rohnert Park and Santa Rosa to Petaluma and the surrounding communities along the Highway 101 corridor. Whatever feature you want highlighted, we bring the right technique to the job.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What size generator do I need for a whole house?
Most homes need a 20 to 22kW generator for whole-house coverage including central air conditioning. Homes over about 3,500 square feet, or with 5-ton AC systems, typically need 24 to 26kW. Essential-circuits-only coverage generally needs only 10 to 14kW.
Whole house vs. essential circuits generator — which do I need?
It depends on your priorities. Essential circuits cost less and use a smaller generator (10-14kW), covering critical loads like your refrigerator and furnace. Whole-house coverage (20-22kW or more) runs everything in your home, including central AC, at a higher upfront cost.
How much does a whole house generator cost?
Whole-house systems typically run $6,000 to $25,000 installed, with most homeowners paying $10,000 to $15,000 for a properly sized system.
Can a generator run central air conditioning?
Yes, but it requires adequate sizing — central AC is often the single biggest load in a home due to its startup surge. Whole-house sizing (20kW or more) specifically accounts for this demand.
Does an EV charger affect generator sizing?
Yes, significantly — a Level 2 EV charger can add 7,200 to 9,600 watts of continuous demand. Many homeowners switch to Level 1 charging, a much lower and more generator-friendly load, specifically during outages.
What is the difference between running watts and starting watts?
Running watts is the continuous power a load draws during normal operation. Starting watts is the brief surge when a motor starts, which can be 3 to 7 times running watts for compressors and pumps.
What size generator do I need for a 2,000 sq ft house?
For whole-house coverage including central AC, most 2,000 sq ft homes need a 16-20kW generator. For essential circuits only, 12-14kW is typically sufficient.
What is load shedding on a generator transfer switch?
Load shedding is when a smart transfer switch temporarily disconnects non-critical circuits during peak demand, letting a smaller, less expensive generator provide effective whole-home coverage.
How many kW does a 5-ton air conditioner need?
A 5-ton AC unit is a large load with a substantial startup surge, and typically requires a 24-26kW generator when covering it as part of whole-house coverage.
Should I size my generator bigger than I currently need?
It's worth considering — sizing about 20% above your current calculated load builds in headroom for future additions like an EV charger or new HVAC system.
Get in touch
Ready to Talk Through Your Project?
Call (707) 791-5552 or fill out the form below and we'll follow up with real design guidance for whatever you want to highlight.
Phone
(707) 791-5552
(tap to call)
Address
1150 Holly Ave, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Hours
7am - 5pm & 24 hour emergency services available.
15 ─────── Full service detail
Electrical Panel Upgrades in Rohnert Park
Replacing an undersized or obsolete panel is the most common job we perform in Rohnert Park, and it's the one that unlocks everything else. If your home still runs original 100-amp service, a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok, or a Zinsco panel, you're working with equipment engineered for a much smaller electrical load — and, in the case of those two brands, with a documented history of breakers that fail to trip. Upgrading to 200-amp service makes EV charging, battery backup, heat pumps, and modern appliance loads possible without constantly tripping breakers. We size the new service to what your household actually needs, pull the permit, coordinate the PG&E disconnect and reconnect, and meet the inspector for final sign-off.
EV Charger Installation in Sonoma County
Bright Right installs Level 2 home charging sized to your vehicle and, just as importantly, to your panel's actual available capacity. We run the dedicated 240-volt circuit, mount and commission the charger, and handle the permit — installing Tesla Wall Connectors, universal J1772 and NACS units, and hardwired or plug-in setups across Rohnert Park, Petaluma, and Santa Rosa. The detail most homeowners don't hear until it's too late is that many Sonoma County panels can't support a Level 2 charger without a service upgrade first, so we run a load calculation before you buy equipment, not after. We can also pre-wire a second circuit if a second EV is anywhere in your future.
Standby Generators & Backup Power
Public safety power shutoffs are a fact of life in Sonoma County, and so are winter storms that take lines down in the hills. We install whole-house standby generators with automatic transfer switches that pick up the house within seconds of an outage, wire inlets and manual transfer switches for portable generators, and add whole-house surge protection so your equipment isn't damaged when the utility comes back online. We'll also tell you honestly which tier makes sense — not every home in Cotati or Penngrove needs a whole-house unit when a critical-loads panel that keeps the refrigerator, well pump, internet, and a few circuits alive costs a fraction as much.
Solar & Battery Systems
We handle new photovoltaic installation, battery storage, system additions, and remove-and-replace work when a roof needs attention or a system has failed — plus service on existing arrays that aren't producing what they should. If you inherited a solar system with the house and nobody can tell you how it's wired or whether it's still under warranty, we can assess it and give you a clear picture. Battery storage in particular has changed the math for Sonoma County homeowners: between shifting utility rate structures under NEM 3.0 and the frequency of outages, a battery paired with existing solar is often a better investment than adding more panels.
Interior & Exterior Lighting
Recessed and can lighting, full LED retrofits, under-cabinet lighting, dimmer and smart-switch installation, fixture and chandelier hanging, landscape lighting, and security and motion-sensor lighting for homes across Rohnert Park and the University District. On the commercial side we handle lighting retrofits for offices, retail spaces, and warehouses along the Commerce Boulevard corridor, including the fixture and control changes that come with California Title 24 compliance. Lighting is one of the few electrical upgrades where the difference is immediately visible, and it's frequently the cheapest way to make a dated room feel finished.
Electrical Troubleshooting & Repair
Breakers that trip for no obvious reason, circuits that go dead, lights that flicker when the dryer starts, outlets that no longer hold a plug, GFCIs that won't reset, a faint burning smell you can't locate. These are the calls where experience shows. We trace a fault to its real source instead of swapping parts and billing for guesses, which is why our repairs hold and why we get called in behind other contractors who couldn't find the problem. In older Sonoma County homes the cause is often a failing backstab connection, a corroded neutral, a rodent-damaged run in a crawlspace, or a decades-old junction box buried behind drywall.
Custom Homes & New Construction
Full electrical for ground-up residential builds, major remodels, and additions throughout Sonoma, Marin, and Napa County — load calculations and plan review, service and meter setup, rough-in, trim, and final inspection. We work with general contractors, designers, and owner-builders, and we're comfortable on high-end custom projects near Sonoma State University where the lighting design, low-voltage layout, and smart controls all have to be coordinated before a single wire goes in. Getting the details right at rough-in is what keeps a home safe and functional for the next forty years — and it's far cheaper than fixing it after the drywall is up.
Commercial Electrical & Tenant Improvement
Service upgrades, panel and subpanel work, dedicated circuits for equipment, lighting retrofits, EV charging for employee and customer parking, and full tenant-improvement electrical for offices, retail, restaurants, and light industrial space along Redwood Drive and beyond. We understand a commercial job runs on someone else's schedule, so we work around business hours when the scope requires it. From a single dedicated circuit to a complete build-out, you get one licensed contractor coordinating permits, PG&E, and inspection — with clear pricing and a clean, code-compliant result.