Home Generators

Having a generator installed and maintained by Laughlin Electric ensures reliable backup power during outages, keeping your essential systems running smoothly in Santa Barbara, CA and surrounding areas.

A Laughlin Electric home generator electrician in Santa Barbara, CA.

Laughlin Electric Generator Electrician in Santa Barbara, CA

It's easy to take our electrical power for granted. That is until a power outage leaves our food spoiling, our apps unable to function and everything from security systems to medical equipment effectively shut down. Anything from a storm to an earthquake can cause power outages that would leave us adrift. Having a generator provides us with backup and Laughlin Electric Santa Barbara can handle both installation and repair.

Our generator electricians in Santa Barbara, CA routinely serve customers throughout Montecito, Goleta, and the surrounding areas.

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Two popular options are portable generators and whole-house generators. While both serve the purpose of providing electricity during power outages, they differ in terms of capacity, installation, and convenience.

Capacity

Whole-house generators are designed to power the entire home, including all essential appliances and systems. They have a higher wattage capacity and can handle heavy loads. On the other hand, portable generators have a lower wattage capacity and are typically used to power a few select appliances or devices.

Installation

Whole-house generators need to be connected to a home's electrical system and fuel source. This involves securing permits, proper wiring, and potentially installing an automatic transfer switch. Portable generators, by contrast, can be easily transported and set up wherever needed, requiring only a fuel source, and connecting appliances via extension cords.

Convenience

Whole-house generators offer seamless and automatic backup power. When a power outage occurs, they automatically detect the interruption and switch on within seconds, restoring power to the entire house. Portable generators require manual operation—the property owner needs to start the generator, connect appliances, and manage the fuel supply. They also require regular refueling and maintenance.

Ultimately, the choice between a portable generator and a whole-house generator depends on the specific needs and budget of each individual property owner.

With over 30 years of experience, the Santa Barbara, CA generator electricians at Laughlin Electric will offer homeowners advice they can trust and work they can count on.

A residential home serviced by our generator electrician in Santa Barbara, CA.

Signs a Generator Needs a Repair

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Here are some common signs that a generator needs repair:

  • Difficulty starting: If the generator is having trouble starting or requires multiple attempts to start, it may indicate a problem with the ignition system, fuel delivery, or battery.
  • Irregular power output: If the generator is producing inconsistent or fluctuating power, it could be a sign of a faulty voltage regulator, damaged alternator, or issues with the control panel.
  • Fuel leaks: The presence of fuel leaks around the generator is a serious concern and should be addressed immediately, as they present a potential fire hazard.
  • Overheating: If the generator is overheating and shutting down frequently, it may be due to a malfunctioning cooling system, low oil levels, or clogged air filters.
  • Strange noises or vibrations: Unusual noises, such as grinding or knocking sounds, or excessive vibrations can indicate loose or damaged components.

All of these signs are in addition to any warnings that may come from built-in warning lights or error codes. Acting promptly when any sign of damage appears is good for the safety of all on the property, while also helping to catch problems early when repair costs might be kept to a minimum.

We Power Homes; We Empower Homeowners

When our generator electricians in Santa Barbara, CA come to your home, you can feel confident that you're going to get good advice, reliable diagnostics, and dependable work. But even more than that, you're going to feel like you're talking to a professional who respects you, and who respects your right to really understand what it is we're doing and why. We explain our processes in concise, layman's terms, and we do with professionalism and good cheer.

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Bring Innovation Home

Imagine a home where everything works seamlessly at your command, from lighting and climate control to security systems and entertainment. We specialize in transforming ordinary homes into smart homes in Santa Barbara, CA with our advanced high-tech solutions to provide comfort, convenience, security, and increased energy efficiency.

The Laughlin Standard of Excellence Glowing Reviews From People Like You

At Laughlin Electric Santa Barbara, your satisfaction is our priority. See for yourself what people have to say about working with us.

  • leslie brink-tarpening
    03.13.25 - google
    Everyone at Laughlin Electric went above and beyond the call of duty. I had an emergency electrical situation and they were there immediately and stayed until absolutely everything was completed., even an expedited permit from the city. I would highly recommend them to anyone.
  • Andy Rodriguez
    03.04.25 - google
    We recently had Bob’s team install some LED lights at my office. There must have been over 40 lights that required an update. Team Laughlin did an amazing job with the install. The whole office was happy with the work. Thank you!
  • Steve Winterhalter
    02.27.25 - google
    If you are like me, you place a very high value on great service. Like me, you might also feel customer service levels from all types of businesses have plummeted since the pandemic. Not so with Laughlin Electric who from first contact to job completion exhibited the highest levels of service, communication, expertise and professionalism. Dan and Cody came to my house to take on a few projects, including hanging my flat screen on the wall. This included disappearing all related wiring. I had no idea how this could be done, but the highly skilled duo quickly conceived of a plan and got to work. Nearing completion, a vexing internet connectivity problem arose. It seemed insurmountable, and I thought the fiber company would have to come the next day to repair. But with resourcefulness, resolve and genius troubling shooting the team got everything to work perfectly. The entire experience reassured me that there are still great companies with great employees who really take care of their customers. I couldn't be happier.
  • Lawrence Nicklin
    02.20.25 - google
    Gabby customer service girl was fanstic on the phone and was able to get a electrican within less than two hours. Lucas was able to localize the issue. He also consulted with the Bob the owner who also assisted to identify a major electrical problem and remained to provide additional contacts since the problem appeared to be generated from the source. I will be contacting PGE within a day to arrange repairs.
  • Franco Mercado
    01.08.25 - google
    Excellent electricians. Did exactly what I needed. Great guys. Will use again in the future. Thanks.
  • Diane Dunhill
    12.24.24 - google
    Lucas from Laughlin Electric was knowledgeable, on time, polite and fixed all my miscellaneous issues. He knows his trade and deserves a pay raise. As a past manager I would hire him in a heartbeat....
  • Nancy Howes
    12.23.24 - google
    Laughlin Electric is an incredibly professional and knowledgable operation. Lukas, the electrician sent to our job, was thorough and made sure the job was done to my satisfaction. We will definitely use this company again!!
  • Brian Quinette
    12.23.24 - google
    I recently had Laughlin work on my new house. Well, new to me… it’s a hundred years old. Cody and Dan spent a week replacing knob-and-tube wiring, modernizing all the outlets, replacing and adding light fixtures, expanding the breaker box, and making sure the system is safe and up to date. Cody even managed to get the original doorbell functioning. A great job and great guys, and I’m really happy with how well it went. Thanks!
  • Lindsey Louder
    07.19.22 - google
    The technician was super helpful, communicative and showed up on time to relocate and repair wiring and electrical switches. I definitely recommend and will use Laughlin electric again.
  • Christy Mason
    12.16.24 - google
    Kind, helpful, respectful and efficient.
  • Susie Gunderson
    10.25.24 - google
    Rob was extremely knowledgeable, informative and made the recommendation to install surge protection to our panel. We will have Laughlin Electric return to do the work for us.
  • Athena Roebuck
    06.26.24 - google
    Robert was amazing and found the issue quickly! He was very efficient and gave us our options on fixing the problem and pricing! Robert was very pleasant and knowledgeable and we will definitely ask for him again if we need it in the future!! He’s a great asset to any company!
  • Barry Spector
    06.20.24 - google
    Cody the technician was knowledgeable and deserved 5 stars. Pricing was reasonable and fair
  • Ronald Barr
    06.19.24 - google
    Great work on a challenging project!
  • D
    06.07.24 - google
    Cody and Joe did an awesome job on our new panel. Very clean, quick and professional work. The office staff was very communicative and supportive during the permitting process as well. The quality work was worth every penny.
  • Philippe Sautot
    06.04.24 - google
    Great service. Efficient and professional
  • Pam Gunther
    06.03.24 - google
    Cody did a great, very efficient job installing a Bidet. He was able to advise me on pros and cons of various light fixtures. So glad I have someone I can trust to go to in the future.
  • Sam Woodburn
    05.31.24 - google
    Easy to work with and prompt. I reached out about installing an EV outlet/charger on a Tuesday and was fully installed by Friday morning. Cody helped us find the right option to meet our needs and after talking it through got straight to work on the install. Felt like we were in good hands to get the job done correctly!
  • LARRY FALBERG
    04.26.24 - google
    Cody came to house to perform maintenance on our Cummings backup generator. Very polite and after brief site inspection submitted bid. Fair price was accepted and he did work same day. All went well and would highly recommend his company LAUGLIN ELECTRIC to anyone!
  • Susan Fetters
    04.25.24 - google
    Our experience with Laughlin was amazing. The electricians, Cody and Dane, were exceptional. They were professional, knowledgeable, efficient and, above all, patient. Our first call for future electrical needs would be to Laughlin.