Reliable, Continuous Power SandEnergy is the Mid-Atlantic region's premier generator installation and maintenance company.  Our energy experts can quickly assess your home or small business backup power needs and accurately size a generator to meet your specifications.  A backup generator provides energy independence in cases where your local power company cannot supply continuous power.  Whether it's for your whole house or facility or just specific appliances or circuits, let SandEnergy's consultants get you set up before the natural or man-made disaster strikes.  Call today.  866.726.3767 Frequently Asked Questions: What is an automatic standby generator? An automatic standby generator is a back-up electrical system that operates whether you are at home or away.  It automatically supplies power to essential circuites of your home or business within 30 seconds of a utility outage.  After utility power retunrs, the generator shuts itself off and waits for the next outage.  It operates on natural gas, liquid propane, diesel, or gasoline and sits outside just like a heat pump or central air conditioning unit. Why should I buy an automatic generator instead of a portable generator? While portable generators do supply power, a home standby generator produces a higher quality of electricity.  It operates automatically whether you're at home or away and runs a self-test weekly to ensure proper response to your needs.  There are no extension cords to plug in, no gas tanks to fill, and no tractors or other vehicles to manuever into position.  When utility power returns, the home standby generator shuts itself off automatically. How much do they cost to own and operate? The cost to buy a generator is highly dependent on what and how much you want to power.  A fully installed generator can cost anywhere from $4,500, for an "essential circuits" system to $25,000 for a whole house system.  Generators typically burn approximately 4 gallons of fuel per hour.  Costs for fuel vary depending on type and availability.  Maintenance contracts typically cost about $300 to $400 per year.