Alliston · Alectra Utilities service area
Generac standby generators for Alliston, Beeton, Tottenham and the township
On a rural lot, an outage stops the well pump as well as the furnace. A standby generator with an automatic transfer switch keeps water, heat and the sump running, whether or not anyone is home. As an authorized Generac dealer, we supply the unit and service it afterwards.
Why it matters here
An outage stops more than the lights
In Alliston, Beeton and Tottenham, most homes are on town water and natural gas. A winter outage still stops the furnace, because its fan and controls need power. The sump pump stops too, which matters most in spring when snowmelt raises the water table.
Out in the township, the list grows. The well pump is electric, so the taps run dry soon after the power goes. Some septic systems use a pump. Electric heat, a heated barn and a freezer full of food all depend on the same supply.
Weather on open ground
Simcoe County winters bring wind, heavy snow and freezing rain. On a rural property, the line from the road often runs past trees, and one fallen branch can take it down. A standby unit doesn't wait for anyone to come home and start it.
Sizing
Town home or country property
The fuel and the list of essentials change with the address.
| In town | On a rural lot | |
|---|---|---|
| Usual fuel | Natural gas from the street | Propane from a tank on site |
| Must keep running | Furnace, sump pump, fridge | Well pump, furnace, sump, septic pump if fitted |
| Often added | Basement suite, home office, garage | Barn heat, shop freezer, outbuilding lights |
| Placement | Clearances on a tighter lot | More room, but the run to the panel may be long |
Installation
From site visit to first test run
Load list
We go through the panel with you and write down what must run in an outage.
Size and location
We size the generator, including pump start-up, and pick a spot that meets every clearance.
Written price
Generator, transfer switch, pad, wiring, permit and travel time, itemized.
Install and fuel
We set the unit and wire the transfer switch. A licensed gas fitter connects the fuel.
Inspect and test
ESA inspects, then we cut the supply and show you the generator taking over.
What's included
A complete standby installation
- Load calculationIncluding well pump start-up and any outbuildings
- Automatic transfer switchWhole-home or for the essential circuits you choose
- Generator and padPlaced to meet clearances from windows, vents and lot lines
- Wiring between themSized for the distance on a larger lot
- ESA permit and inspectionFiled and booked by us
If the existing service is too small or too full for a transfer switch, a panel upgrade in Alliston may come first. For how generators work and how we size them, see our main backup generators page.
Questions
Backup generators in Alliston: questions
We're on a well. What happens to our water in an outage?
The pump stops, so once the pressure tank empties, the taps and toilets stop too. A standby generator sized to start the well pump keeps the water on. Pump motors draw a surge when they start, so we size the generator for that, not only for the running load.
There's no natural gas on our road. Can a generator run on propane?
Yes. Many standby generators run on propane from a tank on the property. The tank size decides how long the unit can run between fills. A licensed gas fitter makes the fuel connection, and we handle the electrical side and the ESA permit.
Can the generator cover the barn or the shop as well?
It can, if it's sized for them. Some owners back up only the house essentials. Others include heat in a barn or a freezer in the shop. We list what each building needs to run and size the generator and transfer switch to match.
What size generator do I need?
It depends on what you want running during an outage. Some homeowners back up essentials only (furnace, sump pump, fridge, a few lights and outlets). Others want the whole house. We look at your panel and how you use power, then recommend a size and a transfer switch to match.
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