As of January 2025, Michigan has adopted updates to its Michigan Electrical Code, aligning it with the 2023 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC). These changes affect how standby and whole house generators are permitted, installed, and inspected across the state.
For homeowners, understanding the generator installation code in Michigan is now critical before planning any new system. Partnering with a Whitney Services licensed installer ensures your generator project meets the latest electrical and safety requirements.
Key Changes in Michigan’s 2025 Electrical Code
Several updates introduced in 2025 directly impact residential generator installations:
- Clearance and placement rules
Generators must now maintain updated minimum clearances from windows, doors, and fresh air intakes to prevent carbon monoxide intrusion. The code also adds setback rules for side-lot installations in densely built residential areas. - Automatic transfer switch (ATS) wiring standards
The 2025 code requires all new ATS installations to comply with updated short-circuit current ratings (SCCR) and fault protection requirements. This affects how transfer switches are sized and installed within main service panels. - Grounding and bonding revisions
Revised grounding electrode conductor (GEC) sizing rules and stricter bonding requirements are now enforced. Installers must verify continuity between the generator frame, ATS, and the building grounding system to pass inspection. - Load management integration
Where generator capacity is smaller than the home’s full service load, the new code requires an approved load-shedding device. This prevents overloading during automatic startup.
These updates aim to improve system safety and grid isolation during outages.
Why Licensed Generator Installation Is Now Essential
With the stricter 2025 electrical code in Michigan, using a certified installer is no longer just recommended, it’s required.
Whitney Services provides fully licensed generator installation, handling all electrical design, wiring, and safety compliance. Our team:
- Verifies code-compliant placement
- Installs UL-listed automatic transfer switches
- Completes grounding and bonding to current NEC standards
- Coordinates with local electrical inspectors during and after installation
Hiring licensed professionals reduces the risk of failed inspections, rework costs, or unsafe installations.
Permits Are Now More Strictly Enforced
Under the 2025 update, local building departments are applying tighter scrutiny to any permit for home generator installations. Homeowners must now:
- Submit stamped electrical drawings
- Provide fuel supply documentation (natural gas or propane)
- Schedule both rough-in and final electrical inspections
Whitney Services manages this process end-to-end. Our permitting specialists file all applications, arrange inspections, and coordinate directly with utilities so projects move forward without delays.
Summary
With the new generator installation code in Michigan now in effect, homeowners planning standby power systems must follow updated safety and permitting rules. Working with Whitney Services ensures your generator is installed to 2025 standards—safely, legally, and built to last through Michigan’s toughest weather.
Contact Whitney Services today to schedule a code-compliant generator consultation.
Get Started with a Whole House Generator Installation
If you’re ready to protect your home from winter blackouts, Whitney Services can help. Our team provides professional whole house generator installation in Michigan, from load assessments and permitting to full system setup and maintenance plans.
Schedule a consultation with our experts to design a reliable backup generator for winter solution that fits your home’s needs so you can stay powered and safe when the next ice storm hits.
Contact Whitney Services at 844-909-7767 today to request your on-site assessment.
Financing Options for Whole House Generator Installation
Investing in a whole house generator can feel like a major expense, especially when factoring in equipment, installation, and permitting costs. To make this more accessible, Whitney Services offers flexible financing plans that help homeowners in Michigan and Florida install standby power systems without delaying critical protection for their homes.
Flexible Payment Plans
We partner with trusted financing providers to offer monthly payment options with competitive interest rates. This allows you to spread the cost of your generator system over time instead of paying the entire amount upfront.
Low-Interest and Promotional Offers
Qualifying homeowners may access low-interest or zero-interest promotional financing during seasonal installation periods. These offers can reduce initial costs significantly and make it easier to move forward with installation before peak storm seasons.
Approval Process
The application process is quick and straightforward, often providing same-day approvals. Our team can assist with the paperwork and coordinate directly with our financing partners so you can focus on selecting the right generator system for your home.
Tailored to Your Budget
Whether you need a smaller standby system or a higher-capacity unit for a large property, our specialists will help structure a plan that fits your budget. This approach ensures your household can secure reliable backup power without financial strain.
Apply for Financing Today
Get reliable backup power without the upfront burden. Contact Whitney Services to explore flexible financing plans for your whole house generator installation in Michigan or Florida. Our team will walk you through your options and help you choose a plan that fits your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whole House Generator Installation
How does a whole house generator work during a power outage?
A whole house (standby) generator is a permanently installed system that connects directly to your home’s electrical panel. It typically sits on a concrete pad outside the house and is wired through an automatic transfer switch.
When the utility power goes out, the transfer switch detects the loss of electricity and signals the generator to start. Within seconds, the generator powers on and begins supplying electricity to your home’s circuits. This process is fully automatic, so you don’t need to go outside or manually start the unit during a storm.
Once the utility grid is restored, the transfer switch reverses the process, safely shutting the generator down and returning the electrical load to utility power. This seamless transition helps prevent damage to appliances and electronics from power surges when the grid comes back online.
Why is whole house generator installation important in Michigan?
Michigan regularly faces severe winter weather, including heavy snow and ice storms that damage overhead power lines. Between January and March 2025, over 400,000 residents lost electricity during a series of ice storms, according to DTE Energy and Consumers Energy.
In these conditions, homes can lose heat, lighting, and refrigeration for days at a time. A whole house generator installation in Michigan ensures that critical systems like furnaces, sump pumps, medical devices, and refrigerators continue running during long blackouts. Whitney Services installs standby systems designed to withstand Michigan’s sub-zero temperatures and heavy snow loads, keeping homes operational when the grid goes down.
Is generator installation also useful in Florida?
Yes. While Florida doesn’t deal with ice storms, it experiences frequent power outages caused by hurricanes and tropical storms. Outages during summer storms can leave homes without air conditioning, refrigeration, or well pumps for several days—sometimes longer in coastal areas.
A whole house generator installation in Florida from Whitney Services provides automatic backup power to keep essential systems running through hurricane-related blackouts, protecting your home from moisture damage, food spoilage, and unsafe indoor temperatures.
How big of a generator is required for my house?
The correct size depends on your household’s electrical demand. At Whitney Services, we perform a detailed load calculation to measure the wattage needed to run your essential systems HVAC units, well pumps, refrigerators, lighting circuits, and more.
Most average homes require standby units between 18kW and 26kW. Larger properties or homes with multiple HVAC systems, electric ranges, or well water systems may need 30kW or more. Sizing a generator correctly is crucial to prevent overloads and ensure the system powers everything you need during an outage.
What fuel types are available for standby generators?
The majority of entire home generators are powered by propane or natural gas. These fuels are reliable, can support continuous operation for days, and are less likely to face supply interruptions during emergencies compared to gasoline or diesel.
Natural gas-powered systems are often connected to the home’s existing gas line, while propane-powered systems use large on-site tanks. Whitney Services can assess your property and recommend the best fuel source based on local availability, infrastructure, and your household’s expected usage during outages.
Do I need permits to install a whole house generator?
Yes. Local building departments in both Michigan and Florida require permits for electrical work, and in many cases for fuel line connections as well.
Whitney Services manages this entire process securing electrical permits, arranging inspections, and coordinating with gas utilities. This ensures your generator installation meets all local codes, safety regulations, and manufacturer warranty requirements.
How often does a standby generator need maintenance?
At least one service should be performed on standby generators each year. Annual maintenance includes oil and filter changes, battery checks, spark plug replacements, and inspection of belts, wiring, and coolant levels.
Most systems also run a brief “exercise cycle” once a week to keep the engine lubricated and the battery charged. Whitney Services verifies this cycle is working during maintenance visits. Routine service helps prevent breakdowns and ensures your system starts reliably during an outage.
How long can a whole house generator run during an outage?
As long as it has a continuous fuel supply, a standby generator can run for several days or even weeks. Propane and natural gas models are especially suited for extended operation.
During prolonged blackouts common after Michigan ice storms or Florida hurricanes. Whitney Services configures systems with load management controls to prioritise essential circuits and reduce fuel consumption, allowing them to operate safely for the duration of the outage.
