Safety & codes
Standby generators are permanent electrical and gas appliances. In Texas, that means licensed trades, permits, and code clearances — none of which is optional, and all of which a good installer handles for you.
Licensed installation is the law
Connecting a generator to your home's electrical system requires a licensed electrical contractor (verifiable via the state's TDLR license search), and gas line work requires a licensed plumber or the gas utility. A transfer switch is what makes generator power safe — backfeeding a panel without one can kill a utility line worker and is illegal everywhere.
Placement and clearances
- Manufacturer and code clearances from windows, doors, vents, and property lines (commonly 18" from the structure, 5 ft from openings — exact numbers depend on model listing and local code).
- Exhaust must not be able to enter the home. Modern units pair with CO-aware placement rules for a reason.
- Some cities and HOAs have noise rules; standby units run ~60–70 dB at 23 ft, and weekly self-tests can be scheduled for polite hours.
Carbon monoxide, plainly
CO deaths after storms are overwhelmingly from portable generators run indoors, in garages, or near windows. A properly placed, professionally installed standby unit designed for outdoor operation is the safe version of this product category — and CO alarms in the home are still cheap insurance.
Permits
City permits and inspections (electrical, sometimes plumbing/mechanical) are part of any legitimate installation, and typically included in the quoted price. An installer proposing to skip permits is telling you what kind of contractor they are.