Standby Generator Installation in Ankeny & Des Moines, IA
Iowa's weather does not give warning. A January ice storm can knock out power across Ankeny and the Des Moines metro for hours — or days. A summer derecho like the one that crossed Polk County in August 2020 left thousands of MidAmerican Energy customers without power for multiple days. When temperatures are below zero and your furnace is off, the clock starts immediately: a home loses heat at roughly one to two degrees per hour in moderate cold, and pipes can begin to freeze within hours.
A whole-home standby generator changes that equation entirely. It monitors utility power continuously, starts automatically within 20 to 30 seconds of an outage, and runs until utility power is restored. Your furnace keeps running. Your sump pump keeps your basement dry. Your lights stay on. Your water heater stays operational. You don't touch anything.
72 Degrees' licensed electricians install whole-home standby generators for homeowners throughout Ankeny, Des Moines, Johnston, Waukee, Grimes, Huxley, Bondurant, and the broader Central Iowa area. All installations are permitted and backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
How Standby Generators Work
A standby generator is permanently installed outside your home — typically on a concrete pad alongside the house — and connected to your electrical panel through an automatic transfer switch (ATS). The ATS monitors utility voltage continuously. When power is lost, it isolates your home from the grid and transfers the electrical load to the generator within seconds. When utility power is restored, the ATS switches back automatically and the generator shuts down and returns to standby.
Most residential standby generators run on natural gas or propane. A natural gas connection draws from the same line supplying your furnace and water heater, eliminating the need to store fuel. MidAmerican Energy natural gas service in Ankeny and the Des Moines metro is typically unaffected even when the electrical grid is down.
Generator Sizing for Ankeny & Des Moines Metro Homes
Sizing determines what the generator can power during an outage. Too small, and critical systems cannot all run simultaneously. Too large, and you're paying for capacity you don't need. Sizing is based on a critical load calculation: the combined wattage of the systems and appliances you need operational during an outage.
For most Des Moines metro homeowners, the critical load starts with the heating system, water heater, refrigerator, sump pump, and basic lighting. Households with medical equipment, well pumps, electric vehicle charging needs, or the desire for whole-home coverage need systems sized accordingly. 72 Degrees performs a load calculation for every installation.
Iowa's Outage Context
The Des Moines metro has experienced several significant extended outage events in recent years. The August 2020 derecho — a straight-line wind event with gusts exceeding 100 mph in parts of Iowa — caused widespread damage to the transmission and distribution infrastructure across Polk County, with some customers without power for five days or longer. Winter ice storms have also produced multi-day outages in Ankeny, Huxley, and Bondurant.
For homeowners with health conditions dependent on powered medical equipment, a generator is a safety necessity. For households that have experienced multi-day outages and don't want to repeat the experience, the investment calculus is straightforward.
Iowa Permits and MidAmerican Energy Coordination
Standby generator installation requires permits from the local building authority and, for natural gas connections, coordination with MidAmerican Energy. 72 Degrees manages the full permitting process and utility coordination as part of every installation. Financing options are available for generator projects.
Pairing generator installation with whole-home surge protection is recommended — voltage irregularities can occur during generator startup and at utility power restoration, and panel-level protection defends against both.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a standby generator cost in the Des Moines area?
Standby generator installation cost depends on the system size (kW), fuel source (natural gas or propane), site conditions, transfer switch configuration, and permit fees. 72 Degrees provides upfront pricing after a load assessment and site evaluation. Financing options are available. Call (515) 965-7272 or visit 72degrees.com/contact to schedule an assessment.
What size generator does my Ankeny home need?
Generator sizing is based on a load calculation — the simultaneous wattage demand of the systems you want to run during an outage. Essential load coverage for a typical Iowa home (furnace, refrigerator, lights, sump pump) usually falls in the 11 to 16kW range. Full home coverage including electric appliances, water heater, and EV charging may require 20kW or more. 72 Degrees performs the calculation before recommending any system.
Can a whole-home generator run on natural gas in Iowa?
Yes. Natural gas is the preferred fuel for most Central Iowa homeowners. MidAmerican Energy natural gas service in Ankeny and the Des Moines metro is typically unaffected by electrical grid outages, meaning a natural gas generator can run indefinitely through an extended outage. Homes without natural gas access use propane, which we help size and connect during the installation.
How long does generator installation take?
Most residential standby generator installations are completed in one to two days. This includes site preparation, unit placement on a pad, transfer switch installation at the panel, gas connection, permit coordination, and final commissioning. We provide a clear timeline before work begins.
How much maintenance does a standby generator need?
Most standby generators run a brief weekly self-test cycle that exercises the engine and identifies issues before they matter. Annual professional maintenance — oil and filter change, spark plug inspection, battery check — is recommended. 72 Degrees can include generator maintenance in your annual home comfort maintenance plan.
What happens to a generator during an Iowa winter?
Properly installed standby generators are rated for cold-weather operation, typically to -20°F or below. Cold-
weather kits including oil heaters and battery warmers are available for extreme exposure and are worth discussing for homes in open or exposed locations. The weekly self-test cycle also keeps the engine ready to start in cold conditions. Call 72 Degrees at (515) 965-7272 to discuss options for your property.
