Standby Generator Installation in Oklahoma - Why to Plan It Before Ice Storm Season

A standby generator installation in Oklahoma takes about two to three weeks from signed contract to a running unit, so the right time to plan one is before the ice storm forecast, not during it. A standby generator is permanently mounted outside, runs on natural gas or propane, and starts on its own when the power drops. CRE Roofing installs Generac and every other major brand, with our own electricians handling the transfer switch, wiring and startup.

Why the timeline matters in Oklahoma

Ice brings power lines down for days. Summer wind can do it in minutes. The outages that really hurt are the multi-day ones, where a portable generator runs out of gasoline on the second night and someone is standing outside in the cold trying to refuel it.

A standby unit avoids all of that. But it is not a same-week purchase. The two-to-three-week window covers:

• A site and load survey
• Unit availability
• Gas supply work
• The permit and the inspection
• Startup and commissioning

If you sign the week the forecast turns, the storm will likely arrive before the generator does.

How a standby generator works

The generator sits on a level pad outside the house and is wired to a transfer switch. When utility power drops, it senses the outage and starts itself, usually within seconds. It carries the loads it was sized for, then shuts down once grid power returns and holds steady. Nobody has to be home.

It runs on natural gas or propane. Natural gas means no tank and no refueling as long as the gas line is intact. Propane means a tank on site, which some rural properties already have.

Three ways to set it up

Whole-house transfer switch. The entire panel moves to the generator. Load management sheds large loads as needed, so a smaller unit can still carry air conditioning.

Essential circuits switch. A defined set of circuits - refrigeration, furnace blower, well pump, internet, outlets and a few lights - runs on a smaller unit.

Portable inlet with a manual switch. If you already own a portable generator, an inlet box and manual transfer switch let you run it safely instead of through extension cords. Someone has to start it and throw the switch, but it is a lower-cost option.

Sizing is the whole decision

A few appliances drive the size of the unit: air conditioning compressors, an electric range, an electric water heater and a well pump. Everything else is small by comparison.

That is why we start with a real conversation about which loads have to stay running. Some homeowners want the whole house, air conditioning included. Others are happy keeping the refrigerator, furnace blower and internet alive and leaving the air off. Either is a reasonable choice, and it changes the unit you need.

What the install involves

1. Load survey and a conversation about which loads matter
2. Siting the unit, with attention to exhaust and how close it sits to bedroom windows
3. A level pad or base in a spot that will not flood
4. Gas supply sized for the unit - the gas line is run by a plumber we bring in
5. Transfer switch and panel work, including load management if used
6. Permit and inspection
7. Startup under load, registering the unit, and a walkthrough of the exercise cycle

One thing to know up front: CRE Roofing installs and commissions generators, but we do not provide ongoing maintenance. A standby generator needs periodic service like any engine - oil, filters, battery and a look at the fuel supply. Line up a servicer before you need one, using the manufacturer's recommended interval.

Generator or battery?

A generator runs as long as fuel keeps coming and can carry big loads, at the cost of noise and service. A home battery is silent and needs nothing from you, but its reserve is finite unless solar is recharging it. For a multi-day ice storm with no sun, a generator is usually the stronger answer. For frequent short outages on a solar home, a battery often is. We install both - see our battery storage page.

If your main panel is older, it may need attention before a transfer switch goes in. Our panel upgrade page explains what that involves.

Common questions

How long does a standby generator installation take?

Plan on two to three weeks from signed contract to a running unit.

Will it run my air conditioning?

That depends on sizing and the transfer switch. A whole-house setup with load management can. An essential-circuits setup usually leaves the air off.

Do you only install Generac?

No. We install Generac and every other major brand, with no manufacturer dealer agreement, so we quote the unit that fits your house.

Is the quote free?

Yes. A standby generator gets a free, no-obligation quote.

Get your generator in before the ice

If a multi-day outage is the one you worry about, start now. Read more on our standby generator page or request a quote on our contact page.