When the lights go out in Delafield, Waukesha County residents know the disruption can last far longer than a few hours. Ice storms sweeping across the Kettle Moraine can down lines, spring wind events snap trees onto service drops, and summer thunderstorm cells regularly knock out power to lakefront properties along Nagawicka, Nemahbin, and Upper Nashotah. Homes on private wells lose water within minutes of losing power. Sump pumps go quiet. Refrigerators warm. Home offices go dark.
Burkhardt Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric has been protecting southeastern Wisconsin homes since 1961. Our licensed Wisconsin electricians install whole-home standby generators that keep your family safe and your home fully operational no matter what the weather brings. Delafield's mix of lakefront properties, wooded rural stretches, and newer subdivisions on the west side all share the same reality — extended power outages are a normal part of Wisconsin life, and standby power is one of the highest-value upgrades you can make to a Delafield home.
Why Delafield Homeowners Choose Standby Generators
A permanently installed standby generator is a fundamentally different product than a portable unit. There's no fuel to haul, no extension cords, no manual startup at 2 AM in a snowstorm. A standby generator monitors utility power 24/7 and starts automatically within seconds of an outage — whether you're home, asleep, or on vacation.
For Delafield homes specifically, that automatic operation is often what tips the decision:
- Well-water homes. A large percentage of Delafield properties draw water from private wells, and every one of them loses water the moment power goes out. A standby generator keeps water flowing continuously.
- Sump pumps and basement waterproofing. Wisconsin's spring melt and heavy summer rain events overwhelm gravity drainage. Sump pumps are the last line of defense, and they only work when the power is on.
- Home offices and remote work. With so many Delafield residents working from home either full-time or part-time, a five-hour outage is a lost workday. A standby generator turns those outages into non-events.
- Refrigerated food and medical needs. An extended outage during summer can spoil hundreds of dollars of groceries. Medical equipment users can't afford any interruption at all.
Generac Generators: Built Right Down the Road
Burkhardt installs Generac standby generators, and Delafield homeowners have a real hometown advantage — Generac's global headquarters is located in Waukesha, roughly 15 minutes from downtown Delafield. That means factory-trained regional support, fast parts availability, and a manufacturer that has designed and tested equipment specifically for the Wisconsin climate.
Generac's Air-Cooled series covers homes needing essential-circuit backup through mid-size whole-home coverage. The Liquid-Cooled series handles larger properties, multi-HVAC-zone homes, and homes with well pumps, sump systems, EV chargers, and central AC all running simultaneously. Our electricians will walk you through sizing based on your actual electrical load — not a template.
What the Installation Process Looks Like
Most whole-home standby generator installations in Delafield finish in a single day. Burkhardt handles every step:
- Site evaluation and load calculation. Our licensed Wisconsin electrician visits the home, evaluates panel capacity, identifies critical circuits, and sizes the generator to your actual demand.
- Permits and utility coordination. We pull the electrical and gas permits with the City of Delafield or Town of Delafield building inspector, coordinate with We Energies for any service work, and handle the natural gas line tie-in.
- Concrete pad and generator placement. We install the concrete pad and position the unit for proper clearances, quiet operation, and easy service access.
- Transfer switch installation. The automatic transfer switch is installed at your main panel — this is what enables the generator to start and switch power automatically when utility power drops.
- Testing and homeowner walk-through. Every install includes a full test cycle, a walk-through of the mobile app for remote monitoring, and clear instructions on the annual maintenance schedule.
Call 414-206-3049 to schedule a Delafield generator evaluation, or request an in-home visit online. Financing available with 0% APR options for qualifying homeowners and longer-term financing up to 84 months.
Frequently Asked Questions About Generator Installation in Delafield
How long does a generator installation take in Delafield?
Most whole-home standby generator installations in Delafield finish in a single day. Complex sites — long gas line runs, sub-panel configurations, or coordination with propane instead of natural gas — may take two days. We provide a firm timeline before the work starts.
Do I need to be home during a power outage for the generator to start?
No. A standby generator monitors utility power automatically and starts within seconds of detecting an outage — day or night, whether you're home or away. It shuts down automatically when utility power returns. You can also monitor status and get outage notifications on your phone through the Generac Mobile Link app.
How do I know what size generator I need?
Sizing is based on your actual electrical load, not just square footage. A 2,500 sq ft Delafield home with a well pump, sump pump, central AC, and an EV charger has a very different load profile than a 4,000 sq ft home without those items. Our electricians perform a load calculation during the in-home visit — you get a specific unit recommendation based on your real usage.
Natural gas or propane — which is better?
Both work well. Natural gas is more common in downtown Delafield and the newer subdivisions along Genesee Lake Road, and it never needs refilling — the gas supply runs from the utility line straight into the generator. Propane is common on rural Delafield properties without gas service and requires a large above-ground or buried tank. We handle either configuration and coordinate with your gas or propane supplier.
How often does a standby generator need service?
Generac recommends annual maintenance, similar to your HVAC system. That includes oil change, spark plug check, air filter, battery test, and a full run test. Burkhardt offers annual generator maintenance service and can bundle it with your HVAC tune-up schedule so you have one appointment per year covering both systems.
Are permits required for generator installation in Delafield?
Yes. Delafield requires an electrical permit and typically a gas permit. Burkhardt pulls both permits and handles the inspection appointments. You never need to interact with the building department.
What warranty comes with a Generac generator?
Generac's standard warranty is 5 years on the whole-home units, with extended warranty options available. Burkhardt provides a 1-year installation warranty on the labor and connections, and we service every unit we install — you have one call to make if anything goes wrong.
More Electrical Services in Delafield
- All services in Delafield
- Electrical repair
- Panel upgrades (100A → 200A service)
- Electrical installation
- EV charger installation
Burkhardt Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric has served Waukesha County since 1961. Third-generation family business, 2,100+ five-star reviews across southeastern Wisconsin. Call 414-206-3049 to schedule a Delafield generator evaluation or request service online.


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