Why a Standby Generator Makes Sense Along the Wasatch Front
Utah power is reliable most years. According to federal energy data from 2024, the average Utah customer experiences about 1.9 hours of outage per year, compared to the national average of 11 hours. The exception comes during canyon-wind storms. The September 2020 windstorm left hundreds of thousands without power. A standby generator is a permanent unit that runs on the home's gas and starts by itself when the power goes out. This guide covers why outages happen here, the differences between standby and portable generators, sizing, fuel choices, the transfer switch and electrical code requirements, placement, installation and permits, maintenance, warranty and noise considerations, and the factors that affect cost.
Key takeaways
- A standby unit with an automatic transfer switch restores power within 33 seconds, according to the manufacturer's figure.
- Portable generators cause more than 100 deaths a year from carbon monoxide and must never be used indoors, per the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
- Installation requires a licensed electrical contractor and licensed gas work; permits are needed and the warranty is void otherwise.
- The unit runs a weekly self-test lasting 16 seconds and needs yearly service including oil, filters, and plugs.
Why Wasatch Front Homes Lose Power
A strong easterly wind known as the Wasatch wind flows out of canyon mouths. This wind is air descending a mountain's lee side. On September 7–8, 2020, a windstorm brought gusts of 99 mph at Farmington and 112 mph at the University of Utah. According to Rocky Mountain Power's filings, 373,674 customers were affected, with 203,930 out at the peak. Trees fell, lines tangled, and equipment failed. That storm accounted for 548.7 of the utility's 683 outage-minutes in 2020. On March 29, 2019, wet snow left more than 19,000 customers without power. Bountiful City reports trees on lines as a frequent cause.
Rocky Mountain Power tracks 13 outage-cause categories. Weather, vegetation, equipment failure, and wildlife are among them. Public safety shutoffs have been used twice, in southern and central Utah. The utility gives partners 72 hours of notice and customers about 48 hours. Federal energy data for 2024 shows Utah averaged 115 minutes per customer and 1.008 interruptions per customer. The national average was 663 minutes and 1.531 interruptions. Rocky Mountain Power Utah reported 145 minutes in 2024. Municipal utilities include Bountiful City Light and Power, which has an outage line at 801-298-6072, as well as Kaysville, Murray, Lehi, Provo, and Brigham City. Bountiful sits at about 4,300 feet in elevation.
The 2020 windstorm was an extreme event. In a typical year, Utah's outage minutes are far lower than the national average. But the Wasatch Front faces recurring threats from canyon winds, wet snow, and vegetation on power lines. Understanding these patterns helps a homeowner prepare for the next outage.
A typical Utah year sees 115 minutes; the 2020 windstorm alone caused 549.
Standby vs. Portable Generators
A standby generator is a permanent, outdoor unit connected to the home's gas line. The electrical code classifies it as an "optional standby system" that supplies selected loads. It operates automatically through an automatic transfer switch, or it can be started manually. Life safety is not dependent on this system. According to the manufacturer's manual, the transfer can occur in 33 seconds.
A portable generator runs on gasoline and is wheeled out during an outage. It connects through cords or a manual transfer switch. The Consumer Product Safety Commission states that portable generators must never be run indoors, in a garage, in a basement or crawlspace, or even with a door open. They must be used outdoors only, at least 20 feet from the house, with the exhaust pointed away. One generator can produce the carbon monoxide of hundreds of cars.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports 872 deaths from carbon monoxide between 2012 and 2022, with 86% involving generators only. Only 4% of those homes had a carbon monoxide alarm. More than 100 deaths occur each year. The CPSC warns against "backfeeding," which means plugging a generator into a wall outlet. This practice is never safe, as it creates an electrocution risk to line workers. Rocky Mountain Power states that a transfer switch prevents backfeed. OSHA requires that a transfer switch be installed by a qualified electrician. Newer portable generators may include a carbon monoxide shutoff, meeting standards such as PGMA G300 or UL 2201. Stationary units have also caused carbon monoxide incidents; the CPSC documented 105 homes after Hurricane Ida. The manufacturer's manual states that carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in the home.
MYTH: Running a portable generator in the garage with the door open is safe.
FACT: The Consumer Product Safety Commission states that portable generators must never be run in a garage, not even with the door open.
Sizing a standby generator
A standby generator must carry the full load the automatic transfer switch moves to it. The electrical code requires this, or you can use automatic load management to shed non-essential circuits. Whole-home models power everything at once; managed-load models cycle high-draw appliances to stay within capacity.
Blue Best offers the PowerProtect lineup: 13, 18, 22, and 26 kW. Ratings differ by fuel. The 13 kW delivers 13 kW on propane and 11.5 kW on natural gas. The 26 kW delivers 26 kW on propane and 24 kW on natural gas. The manufacturer allows load management for up to eight high-draw appliances. Altitude derates output 3.5% per 1,000 feet, and temperature derates it 1% per 10°F above 77°F. Bountiful sits at about 4,300 feet. Engines are air-cooled. The 13 kW uses a 627 cc engine; the 18–26 kW models use a 993 cc V-twin. The manufacturer is Briggs & Stratton.
An automatic transfer switch is a listed piece of equipment that senses an outage, starts the generator, and moves the house to generator power, then returns the house to utility power when it is back; the electrical code requires it.
| Model | kW (propane / gas) | Gas, half / full | Propane, half / full | dBA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 kW | 13 / 11.5 kW | not published | not published | 65 / 69 |
| 18 kW | 18 / 18 kW | 176 / 252 cubic feet per hour | 2.2 / 3.5 gallons per hour | 64 / 68 |
| 22 kW | 22 / 22 kW | 194 / 281 cubic feet per hour | 2.4 / 4.1 gallons per hour | 64 / 68 |
| 26 kW | 26 / 24 kW | 206 / 323 cubic feet per hour | 2.6 / 4.7 gallons per hour | 63 / 65 |
Sound figures are the manufacturer's at 23 feet, and fuel figures are the manufacturer's estimates.
Fuel Choice: Natural Gas vs. Propane
A home standby generator is factory-set to run on natural gas. The same unit can be converted to burn propane vapor using a fuel-selector lever on the regulator; the manufacturer does not offer a separate dual-fuel model. Natural gas requires a pressure of 3.5 to 7 inches of water column at the generator inlet, measured at full load with every other gas appliance in the house running. Propane requires 11 to 14 inches of water column under the same conditions. The meter and the gas line capacity must be large enough to supply that pressure. Fuel valves and piping are supplied by the installer, not the generator manufacturer. Propane requires a tank on the property.
The 26 kW model consumes 323 cubic feet of natural gas per hour at full load. On propane, the same model uses 2.6 to 4.7 gallons per hour. The local gas utility is Enbridge Gas (formerly Dominion Energy). For a gas-leak emergency, call their line at 1-800-767-1689 or 911.
Transfer Switch and Electrical Code
The electrical code requires a transfer switch for any generator connected to a home's wiring. This equipment must be listed, meaning it has been tested and approved by a recognized testing laboratory. The switch prevents the generator and the utility from being interconnected at the same time, which protects both your equipment and utility workers.
A sign must be placed at the house disconnect. The sign names where the standby disconnect is located. An emergency shutdown must be installed outside the house, and it must be readily accessible. Utah adopts the 2023 electrical code, the 2021 residential code, and the 2024 fuel-gas, mechanical, building, and plumbing codes. A Utah amendment applies. Generators in dwellings follow the electrical code.
The manufacturer's switch options include 100, 150, and 200 amp models, as well as a dual 200 amp model. The switches are outdoor-rated (NEMA 3R) and rated for 120/240 volt. They are break-before-make, meaning the connection switches from utility to generator without overlapping. The switches are UL 1008 listed. They are sold separately from the generator. The switch warranty is 7 years. One 200-amp model has a 10-year warranty.
Where the unit can sit
The national fire standard for stationary engines, updated in 2024, requires 5 feet from combustible walls. Exceptions exist for units that have passed full-scale fire tests. The manufacturer's manual sets clearances based on those fire tests: 18 inches from the rear of the unit to the house wall, 5 feet from windows, doors, vents, and window wells, and 3 feet at the front and ends. The unit needs 5 feet of clearance overhead and 10 feet from air-conditioner intakes.
The site must be flat, with water draining away from the unit. A concrete pad is not required unless the local code or wind rating demands one. The standard model operates from -20°F to 104°F. The plus model has a 30°F floor without a cold-weather kit and reaches -20°F with the kit. The spec sheet lists an aluminum enclosure with a 186 mph wind rating.
The manufacturer's manual requires carbon monoxide detectors in the home. The Consumer Product Safety Commission, as of June 2025, recommends placing the unit 25 feet from openings. That is a recommendation, not an adopted code.
Installation and Permits
The Installation Process
The manufacturer specifies four dealer steps for installation. The process begins with an in-home consultation. A licensed technician then performs a site assessment. Professional installation follows, which includes obtaining permits. The final step is a start-up procedure. Installation must be performed by licensed professionals. The warranty is void otherwise. The installer supplies the battery, wire and conduit, and fuel valves and piping. The battery is 12-volt. It has 540 cold-cranking amps. Where it drops below 30°F, the battery requires 800 cold-cranking amps. The start-up is a seven-step no-load process. A 26 kW unit weighs about 540 pounds. A 13 kW unit weighs about 315 pounds. Cellular monitoring provides app and dealer alerts. This feature is built into the plus model. It is an accessory on the standard model. A subscription is required.
Permits and Licensing
A permit is required in Davis County for any gas, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work. Inspections are scheduled with the county. Ogden requires a permit to install or alter electrical or gas systems. Salt Lake City requires separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits. Bountiful City Building issues permits through its online portal. The phone number for Bountiful is 801-298-6125. Under Utah law, construction trades must be licensed. Electrical work requires a licensed electrical contractor. Gas appliance work requires a licensed or certified person. The gas line counts as part of the HVAC system under Utah law. An owner-builder exemption exists. Rocky Mountain Power directs customers to hire a licensed contractor. In West Valley City, after inspection the city authorizes power.
Maintenance and the Weekly Self-Test
Follow the intervals in the manufacturer's manual. Use whichever comes first: hours of run time or calendar time. Every 8 hours of run time, or daily, clear debris from the enclosure and check the oil level. Every 100 hours of run time, or yearly, replace the air filter, oil, and oil filter. Also replace the spark plugs and check the valve clearance. Yearly, clean the oil-cooler fins. The unit is air-cooled; there is no coolant. Use only 5W-30 full synthetic oil. Oil capacity is about 78 to 80 ounces for 18–26 kW models, and 48 ounces for the 13 kW model.
The generator runs a weekly self-test. By default, the test lasts 16 seconds. You can program it to run up to 20 minutes. This self-test replaced an older test that ran 5 to 20 minutes. The new test is quieter and uses less fuel. The warranty excludes oil, filters, plugs, and batteries. A monitoring app is available, and the dealer receives alerts if a test fails.
The commercial standby standard requires a weekly inspection and monthly exercise. That standard does not apply to homes.
Warranty and Noise Coverage
The manufacturer backs standard and plus models with a 7-year parts warranty. Labor and travel are covered under the warranty terms. DX models, which are dealer-exclusive, receive a 10-year parts warranty. The enclosure carries a 1-year warranty against surface rust and a 3-year warranty against rust-through. The warranty is void unless the unit has a licensed installation. For non-emergency use, the warranty covers up to 1,000 hours of operation.
Sound levels are measured per ISO 3744 at 7 meters (23 feet). The 26 kW model produces 63 dBA at idle and 65 dBA under normal load. The 22 and 18 kW models measure 64 dBA at idle and 68 dBA under normal load. The 13 kW model measures 65 dBA at idle and 69 dBA under normal load. The plus 26 kW model measures 62 dBA at idle and 67 dBA under normal load. "Normal" on the spec sheet means average household use. The manufacturer designed these units for low noise, including the 16-second weekly test cycle.
What Does This Cost?
We install Briggs & Stratton standby generators. The price of a project moves up or down based on gas meter and line capacity, transfer switch size, and whether you choose whole-home or managed loads. Distance from meter and panel, a cold-weather kit, and a pad only where required also affect the cost. Permits and inspections, licensed electrical and gas trades, altitude derate, a monitoring subscription, and your warranty tier are additional factors. Blue Best quotes an exact price in writing before any work begins.
