Open · 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM Licensed & Insured · AR #RM-1088

Generator Installation & Transfer Switches

Storms in the River Valley don't ask permission. Tower Electric installs whole-home and standby generators — sized to your actual load, wired with the correct transfer switch, and inspected before we leave.

Whole-home standby generator installed by Tower Electric
Standby Generator Install · River Valley

Keep the Lights On When the Grid Doesn't.

Generator Installations We Handle

  • Whole-home standby generators — Generac, Kohler, Briggs & Stratton, Champion
  • Automatic transfer switches — sized to your service and load
  • Manual transfer switches for portable generators
  • Generator inlet boxes for plug-in portable setups
  • Sub-panel critical-load setups — power only what matters
  • Natural gas and propane fuel runs coordinated with your plumber

How We Size a Generator the Right Way

Most "oversized" or "undersized" generator complaints come from skipping this step. Before quoting, we walk through:

  • What you actually need running during an outage
  • Major loads (HVAC, well pumps, ovens, EV chargers)
  • Soft-start opportunities on AC units
  • Whether a critical-load sub-panel makes more sense than whole-home coverage

The goal is the right-sized generator — not the most expensive one.

What's Included in a Generator Installation

  1. Load calculation and equipment sizing
  2. Permit pulled with the local jurisdiction
  3. Concrete or composite pad set (or existing pad verified)
  4. Transfer switch installed and integrated with your panel
  5. Service-rated wiring from generator to transfer switch
  6. Fuel line coordination (gas plumber where needed)
  7. Startup, transfer test, and customer walkthrough
  8. Final inspection

Portable vs. Standby — Quick Answer

Portable generator with an inlet box and manual transfer switch: the most affordable way to back up the essentials. You roll out the generator and manually transfer. Good for a few thousand dollars installed.

Standby (whole-home) generator: permanently installed, fueled by natural gas or propane, kicks on automatically within seconds of an outage. Higher up-front cost, no involvement from you when the power goes out.

Common Questions

Answers Before You Call.

How much does a whole-home generator cost installed in Arkansas?
Most whole-home standby generator installations in Van Buren and Fort Smith range from roughly $7,500 to $15,000 depending on generator size, transfer switch, fuel run, and any panel work needed.
Do I need a permit to install a generator?
Yes. Generator installations require an electrical permit and inspection, and the fuel hookup requires gas-side coordination. We handle the electrical permitting and inspection.
What size generator do I need for my house?
It depends on what you want to run. A small home with gas heat and basic loads may be fine with 14kW. A larger all-electric home with central AC and a well may need 22–26kW. We do a proper load calculation before quoting.
Can you install a generator I already bought?
Yes, as long as it's a reputable brand and properly rated. We'll inspect it and confirm it's appropriate before installing, since some units we won't put our warranty behind.

Need a Licensed Electrician Today?

Call Tower Electric. We'll give you a straight answer, a fair quote, and clean work that lasts.

Call Direct
(479) 208-2279
Call (479) 208-2279