We know installing or maintaining a standby generator comes with a lot of questions. Below are the most common questions we hear from homeowners across Chicagoland, answered clearly and honestly by the Armor Generator team.
• Local, family-focused service
• Honest recommendations, no pressure
• Experienced technicians
• Clean, professional installations
• Trusted throughout Chicagoland
Our goal is simple: ease of process. Dependable power and peace of mind.
A standby generator automatically restores power to your home when the utility power goes out. Within seconds of an outage, the generator turns on and supplies electricity to your essential systems, or your entire home, until power is restored.
Standby generators are permanently installed, automatically turn on during outages, and run on natural gas or propane. Portable generators must be manually started, refueled, and plugged in, and typically only power a few items.
Yes. Power outages in the Chicago suburbs are commonly caused by storms, ice, wind, construction damage, and aging infrastructure. A standby generator protects your home, comfort, food, medical devices, and peace of mind.
Most residential installations take 1–2 days, depending on electrical, gas, and concrete work required. Armor Generator handles the full process from start to finish.
We work with top, trusted generator brands, including:
• Briggs & Stratton
• Generac
• Kohler
We’ll help you choose the right brand and size based on your home and power needs.
Generator size depends on your home’s square footage, electrical load, appliances, HVAC systems, and whether you want whole-home or partial backup power. Armor Generator provides free consultations to properly size your system.
Generators are typically installed outdoors on a concrete pad, placed according to local zoning and safety requirements. Our team will recommend the best location for performance, noise, and accessibility. Generator should be in proximity to your electrical and gas meter.
Most standby generators restore power within 10–30 seconds after detecting an outage. Some generators take 1-2 minutes of no utility power to safely transfer to the generator.
It can! Armor Generator offers:
• Whole-home backup systems
• Essential circuit coverage
We’ll design the setup that best fits your budget and lifestyle.
Modern standby generators are significantly quieter than older models. Most operate at a sound level comparable to a lawnmower.
Yes. Regular maintenance ensures your generator works when you need it most. We recommend annual preventative maintenance, including oil changes, battery checks, load testing, or at minimum an inspection.
Armor Generator provides diagnostics, repairs, and emergency service. Whether it’s a startup issue, warning code, or worn part, our technicians are trained to fix it quickly and correctly.
Yes. We service and maintain generators installed by other companies, as long as parts and access are available.
Yes. We offer remote generator monitoring, allowing us to track system performance and alert you if service is needed — before a failure occurs.
Most standby generators run on:
• Natural gas
• Propane
We’ll help determine which option works best for your home.
As long as fuel is available, a standby generator can run continuously for extended outages, including multi-day power failures.
Costs vary based on generator size, brand, installation requirements, and electrical work. Armor Generator provides free, no-pressure estimates so you know exactly what to expect.
Absolutely, when professionally installed. Armor Generator follows all safety codes, spacing requirements, and manufacturer guidelines to ensure safe operation.
Yes. A professionally installed standby generator is often seen as a major upgrade, adding resale value and appeal to your home.