Central + Generac: Backup Power You Can Depend On
When the temperature drops, snow piles up, and power lines ice over, a couple of hours without electricity in Montana can quickly turn from inconvenient to risky. Heat goes out. Well pumps stop. Pipes can freeze. That’s why many Flathead Valley homeowners choose a permanently installed standby generator, and more specifically, Generac®—to keep their homes safe, comfortable, and running 24/7.
Central Heating Cooling Plumbing Electrical has put together a homeowner-friendly guide to what sets Generac apart and how to choose, place, and care for a system that fits Montana’s unique climate and power requirements.
Why Standby Over Portable?
- Standby (permanent): Auto-starts within seconds of an outage, powers critical or whole-home loads, runs on natural gas or propane, and hands power back to the utility automatically when it’s restored. No refueling. No extension cords.
- Portable: Manual setup, limited capacity, gasoline storage/handling, and no automatic transfer. Great for short-term essentials, but not a whole-home, severe-weather solution.
For Montana winters, the automatic, no-refuel reliability of standby is hard to beat.
Why Generac Leads for Montana Homes
1) Built for Cold Climates
Generac’s residential units are widely known for dependable cold-weather starting and offer cold-weather accessories (like battery warmers and oil heaters) that help ensure reliable starts during deep freezes. Weekly self-tests keep the engine exercised so it’s ready when you need it.
2) Propane or Natural Gas, Your Choice
Many Flathead Valley properties don’t have natural gas service, so propane is a natural fit. Generac integrates seamlessly with properly sized above or below-ground tanks. If you do have natural gas, the convenience is hard to beat, no on-site fuel storage to manage.
3) Smart Load Management = Smaller, Smarter Systems
Generac’s Smart Management Modules (SMMs) and integrated power management let your generator prioritize large loads (well pump, electric range, dryer) so you can often right-size the generator without sacrificing comfort. That can reduce upfront cost, fuel use, and noise.
4) Quiet, Weather-Resistant Enclosures
Montana gets snow, wind, and hail. Generac’s aluminum, powder-coated enclosures resist corrosion, and modern air-flow designs keep sound levels low for a standby unit, important when it’s close to bedrooms or property lines.
5) Remote Monitoring (Mobile Link™)
With the Mobile Link™ app, you or your service provider can check status, runtime, maintenance alerts, and exercise tests from anywhere. During a long storm cycle, that visibility is peace of mind.
6) Strong Parts & Service Ecosystem
Generac has a large North American footprint, which makes parts, service, and warranty support straightforward. This mean Central can service your Generac generator quickly and with minimal delays.
Montana-Specific Benefits You’ll Notice
- Heat stays on. Keep furnaces, boiler pumps, pellet stoves, heat tape, and smart thermostats working.
- Water keeps flowing. Most rural homes rely on well pumps, make sure yours is covered.
- Pipes are protected. Maintain circulation and heat to avoid freeze damage.
- Work from home continues. Keep the internet, office equipment, and charging stations live.
- Medical and safety essentials stay powered. Refrigerators, sump pumps, medical devices, and security systems keep running.
Central Helps You Choosing the Right Size For Your Needs
Every home is different, but here’s how Central’s pros determine system size:
- Load profile: Must-have circuits (furnace/boiler, well pump, fridge, lights, outlets) vs. nice-to-have (range, dryer, hot tub).
- Motor loads: Well and septic pumps have higher starting (surge) currents than running currents.
- Fuel type & altitude: Propane vs. natural gas and Montana’s elevation can affect available output.
- Future plans: EV charger, shop heater, addition, or hot tub? Plan now to avoid an early upgrade.
- Power management: With SMMs, many homes can use a more compact generator without giving anything up.
Placement, Permitting & Installation Best Practices
Once call to Central takes care of everything. Our electricians secure all necessary permits, connect gas lines, transfer switches and more:
- Clearances & code: Setbacks from windows, doors, and fresh-air intakes must meet local code and manufacturer guidelines.
- Pad & drainage: Install on a level, well-drained pad that won’t shift with freeze-thaw cycles.
- Snow management: Choose a location that’s plow-friendly and safe from roof-shed.
- Fuel line sizing: Proper gas line sizing and regulator selection are essential for full-load performance in low temps.
- Transfer switch: Your installer will match an automatic transfer switch (ATS) to your service (e.g., 200A whole-home or essential-circuits subpanel).
Noise, Fuel Use & Run Time
- Noise: Modern standby units are impressively quiet for an engine-driven product; exact levels vary by model and load.
- Fuel consumption: Depends on load, model, and fuel type. Your installer can estimate expected use for a typical winter outage.
- Run time: With natural gas, it’s essentially continuous. With propane, it’s as long as your tank size and refill logistics allow.
Maintenance & Ownership
- Exercise cycle: The unit runs an automatic self-test each week to keep things lubricated and ready.
- Annual service: Oil/filter change, spark plugs, valve check (model-dependent), battery test, firmware/monitoring check, and a full system inspection.
- Winter readiness: Cold-weather kit (where appropriate), fresh oil, clean air filter, and a battery in good condition are crucial.
Common Questions
Will a Generac power my well pump?
Yes, when sized correctly and with proper load management.
Can I run the whole house?
Often, yes. Many Montana homeowners choose whole-home coverage; others cover essentials and manage the rest.
How fast does it turn on?
Standby systems detect the outage and start automatically—typically within seconds.
What about my sensitive electronics?
Modern residential standby generators produce utility-grade power with stable voltage/frequency via the ATS; installers also verify grounding/bonding.
Next Steps
Call Central for a generator consultation. We’ll walk you through the process so it’s simple and stress-free.
- Site & load assessment – Evaluate service size, must-have circuits, well/septic, heating equipment, and future loads.
- Choose fuel – Natural gas if available; otherwise propane with an appropriately sized tank.
- Select model & ATS – Match power needs and service configuration;
