The “Whole Home” Misconception
When the canyon winds scream through Riverdale or a heavy winter storm settles over the Wasatch Front, the last thing you want to worry about is rationing electricity. However, there is a persistent myth in our industry that if you have a spacious home near the Weber River, you need a massive, industrial-sized generator to keep it running during a Rocky Mountain Power outage. People often assume they need a system capable of powering every single lightbulb, heater, and appliance simultaneously.
But think about how you actually live inside your home. Do you typically run the microwave, the electric oven, the hair dryer, the AC, and the clothes dryer all at the exact same second? Probably not. In 2026, we don’t size generators based on the unlikely scenario of “everything on at once.” We size them based on your actual lifestyle and the strategic use of Load Management.
The Traffic Cop in Your Electrical Panel
Think of Load Management as a traffic cop for your electricity. When the generator kicks on after an earthquake or wind storm cuts the grid, this smart technology prioritizes where the power goes.
Let’s say you have a 24kW or 26kW air-cooled unit—the standard for many homes in.
The Essentials: Lights, fridge, internet, and TV get power instantly.
The Heavy Hitters: Then, the system looks at your AC units or electric water heater. It allows them to start one by one, rather than all at once, preventing a massive surge that could stall the engine.
This is how we provide “Whole Home” power without installing a massive, expensive liquid-cooled engine in your backyard.
The New Challenge: Electric Vehicles (EVs)
In Salt Lake City, we are seeing more Electric Vehicles in driveways every month. An EV charger is a huge electrical draw—often equal to an entire house worth of power.
Can you charge your Tesla or Rivian on a generator? Yes. But you need a strategy. We install management modules that allow the car to charge only when the house isn’t using peak power. If you turn on the electric oven to cook dinner, the system might temporarily pause the car charger. When dinner is done, the car resumes charging. You don’t have to flip a switch; the system thinks for you.
Sizing Matters
This is why a professional standard of installation is so critical. A “Chuck in a Truck” might just look at your square footage and guess the size, leaving you vulnerable during our unpredictable Utah weather.
At Generator Supercenter of Salt Lake City, we perform a precise load calculation. We look at:
Your AC Tonnage: How much power does it need to start (not just run)?
Your Appliances: Are you gas or electric for heat and cooking?
Your Future: Are you planning to buy an EV or add a hot tub?
Power Smarter, Not Harder
You can have it all—the cool air during a heatwave, the warm furnace during a blizzard, and the charged car—even when the local grid is down. It just takes the right design. Don’t let a sales guy oversell you on a unit you don’t need, or undersell you on one that won’t handle our specific climate risks.
We invite you to stop by our showroom at 708 W Riverdale Rd to see how these smart systems work in person. We can pour you a coffee, discuss your specific power needs, and help you prepare for the next season of high winds and storms. You can also give us a ring at 801-882-9222 to schedule a custom load analysis for your home. Let’s ensure your power stays on, no matter what nature throws our way.
