Why Brentwood is a whole-house generator market
Three factors converge here. First, PSPS frequency — Brentwood's grid traces back through East Contra Costa lines that PG&E de-energizes during Sierra and Delta fire weather. Three- and four-day shutoffs are not unusual in fall. Second, summer heat — losing central AC during a 105°F July afternoon is a health risk for kids, seniors, and anyone with medical equipment. Third, demographics — Brentwood's mix of newer high-value housing (Trilogy, Brentwood Hills) and active retirees creates a homeowner base who can amortize a $12,000–$16,000 install against years of disruption avoidance.
Portable generators are still common here as a budget alternative, but they require manual setup each outage and they cannot run central AC. Most homeowners who go through a 48-hour PSPS event with kids and a fridge full of food upgrade to whole-house standby within a year.
What a typical Brentwood whole-house install involves
- Generator selection — typically 18–24 kW for a 3-4 ton AC plus essential loads. Generac Guardian 18 kW or 22 kW is the most common; Kohler 20kW also frequent
- Fuel source — most Trilogy and Brentwood Hills installs use natural gas (PG&E gas service is reliable during electric PSPS); rural Brentwood often uses propane (250-500 gallon tank)
- Automatic transfer switch (ATS) — typically 200A whole-house, mounted next to the main panel
- Concrete pad — generator sits on a poured pad 5+ feet from any combustible structure
- Gas line — sized for the generator's peak draw; gas plumber subs in for this
- PG&E interconnection notification — required for any permanently-installed standby generator
- Permit + inspection through Contra Costa County Building Inspection
Sizing — what fits your Brentwood home
A real-world load inventory for a typical Brentwood home:
- 4-ton central AC: 5,000W running, 15,000W startup surge
- Refrigerator + freezer: 1,000W running, 2,500W surge
- Well pump (if applicable in rural Brentwood): 1,500W running, 4,000W surge
- LED lighting + wifi + TV: 500W running
- Microwave when in use: 1,500W
Total running ~8,000W with central AC. Peak surge during AC startup: 18,000–22,000W. That sizes you to a 20–22 kW Generac at minimum. Trilogy homes with two AC zones often go 24 kW.
Brentwood neighborhoods we coordinate generator work for
- Trilogy at the Vineyards — active-adult community with high standby-generator adoption
- Brentwood Hills — newer high-value subdivisions in the south of town
- Shadow Lakes, Apple Hill, Garin Ranch — established 2000s-2010s neighborhoods
- Downtown Brentwood — older homes that often need a panel upgrade before a standby
- Rural east Brentwood and Byron-side — propane standby installs on 1-acre+ lots
What this costs and how to plan
Real-world all-in pricing for a Brentwood whole-house standby:
- 20 kW Generac on natural gas with 200A ATS, modern panel, short pad-to-house run: $11,000–$14,000
- 22–24 kW unit, propane fuel with new tank, or longer gas/wire runs: $14,000–$18,000+
- Older homes needing a panel upgrade first: add $2,500–$4,500
Most installs take 2–3 weeks total: 1 day for permit, 1–2 days for pad/gas-line/electrical work, plus PG&E interconnection paperwork. See our main generator hookup page and our Brentwood service area page for more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a whole-house generator run continuously?
On natural gas: indefinitely, as long as PG&E gas service stays on (which generally does during PSPS). On a 500-gallon propane tank: 5-7 days at half load for a 20 kW unit.
Does a Generac whole-house cover central AC?
Yes if sized correctly. A 20-22 kW unit handles a typical 3-4 ton residential AC plus other essential loads. Smaller units (14-16 kW) cannot start most central AC compressors.
Is a permit required for the install?
Yes — Contra Costa County Building Inspection requires a permit for the transfer switch and electrical work. PG&E interconnection notification is required for any permanently-installed standby. The electrician handles all of this.
Can I just keep using a portable instead?
Sure — but portables can't run central AC, can't fire up automatically, and need fuel + manual setup every outage. Most Brentwood homeowners who go through one bad PSPS upgrade to whole-house within a year.
Does Can Do It Electrical install the generator directly?
No — Can Do It Electrical is a referral and job-coordination service. We connect Brentwood homeowners with licensed C-10 electricians who handle the electrical install, plus the gas plumber sub if needed for fuel-line work.