Power goes out in Sacramento more often than most people realize. A transformer pops near Midtown. A heat wave overloads the grid in July. Or PG&E flips the switch because of fire danger. Doesn’t matter why, the result is the same: businesses left scrambling.
I’ve been called into restaurants with walk-ins full of spoiled meat. Offices where staff sat around with laptops that were nothing more than paperweights. And every time the owner says the same thing: “We should’ve done this sooner.”
That “this” is installing a generator for commercial backup. Let me walk you through what I’ve seen, costs, types, and what it really takes to get one installed here in Sacramento.
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Why Sacramento Businesses Need Backup Power
Here’s the thing: Sacramento isn’t just another city. Summers are brutal, 110° isn’t unusual. Air conditioners run non-stop, which means the grid is constantly stressed. Winters bring storms that topple trees across lines. And in fire season, we get PSPS shutoffs that can last hours, sometimes days.
A short list of who gets hit hardest without a generator:
- Restaurants and cafes. I watched a small spot near Arden Arcade toss out thousands of dollars’ worth of food after just a six-hour outage.
- Medical clinics. Even a few hours without power can compromise patient care.
- Retail shops. If the registers and lights are down, you’re closed. Period.
- Professional offices. Law firms, accounting offices, if servers go down, work grinds to a halt.
So, yes. A generator for commercial use isn’t a nice-to-have here. It’s survival.
The Main Types of Commercial Generators
Not all generators are equal. Pick the wrong one and you’ll either overspend or find yourself underpowered when it counts.
Diesel Generators
These are the heavy lifters. They’ve been around forever and can take on serious loads.
- Pros: Rugged, long-lasting, dependable when maintained.
- Cons: Loud, smelly, and diesel storage isn’t exactly cheap or simple in California.
In my experience, warehouses and manufacturing plants around South Sacramento still lean heavily on diesel.
Natural Gas Generators
A favorite for businesses along J Street and downtown that already have gas lines.
- Pros: Cleaner, no on-site tanks to worry about, steady supply.
- Cons: If the utility shuts down the gas line, you’re stuck.
Propane Generators
I’ve installed these in more rural spots around Sacramento County.
- Pros: Cleaner than diesel, easy to store, long shelf life.
- Cons: Costs more to run, and tanks only last so long.
Portable Units
Yes, they exist for commercial use. I’ve seen contractors run tools off them. But they’re not a long-term outage solution.
- Pros: Low upfront cost, flexible.
- Cons: Manual setup, noisy, and won’t handle full-building loads.
What It Really Costs in Sacramento
Let’s talk numbers, because that’s usually the first question I hear.
| Size | Where It Fits | Generator Cost | Install Cost | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25–50 kW | Small office, retail shop | $15K–$30K | $10K–$20K | $25K–$50K |
| 50–150 kW | Restaurants, small clinics | $30K–$60K | $15K–$30K | $45K–$90K |
| 150–500+ kW | Large warehouses, hospitals | $60K–$200K | $30K–$80K | $90K–$280K |
Now, a couple of things that always sneak up on owners here in Sacramento:
- Permits. Sacramento County doesn’t cut corners, especially on emissions. Budget time and money for the paperwork.
- Pads and enclosures. You can’t just plop a generator on the ground. It needs a concrete pad, sometimes a sound enclosure if you’re near residential areas like East Sac.
- Maintenance. Expect $2K–$5K a year. Skip it, and your generator will fail the first time you actually need it.
Installation Tips (From Someone Who’s Done It Here)
Location
You want airflow, access for refueling, and enough space for service. I once saw a generator crammed behind a restaurant near Natomas where you couldn’t even swing the service door open. Don’t make that mistake.
Permitting
Every project in Sacramento runs through the city or county permitting process. Skip this step and you’ll regret it when an inspector shows up.
Transfer Switches
An automatic transfer switch (ATS) is non-negotiable. Without it, you’re flipping breakers in the dark. I’ve had clients thank me years later for pushing them toward an ATS.
Sound
Diesel generators are loud. If you’re near Midtown condos, you’ll get noise complaints unless you invest in an enclosure. Trust me, I’ve been on those calls.
Fuel
Think long-term. Diesel needs regular delivery. Propane tanks run out. Natural gas is reliable, until it isn’t. Plan your refueling or backup strategy before the outage, not during.
Midtown Sacramento Restaurant
Let me give you a real-world example.
A restaurant on J Street lost power three summers in a row. First time, six hours, spoiled food. Second time, 24 hours, lost a whole weekend of sales. Third time, they called me.
We installed a 75 kW natural gas generator with an ATS. Cost? Just under $70K. Painful? Sure. But the very next summer, when half of downtown went dark, they kept right on serving. Paid for itself right there.
That’s the kind of payoff I’ve seen again and again.
How to Choose the Right Generator for Commercial Use
Start with three simple questions:
- What can’t you afford to lose if the power goes out? (Servers, refrigeration, HVAC?)
- How long do you need backup power to last? A few hours, or a few days?
- What fuel is realistic where you are?
Once you’ve got those answers, call a licensed Sacramento electrician. A proper load calculation and site survey will save you thousands and keep you in compliance.
Maintenance Isn’t Optional
Think of a generator like a work truck. If you don’t change the oil or rotate the tires, it’ll leave you stranded on the side of I-80.
- Monthly: Quick visual checks. Battery, fluid levels.
- Quarterly: Run it under load, not just a quick idle.
- Annually: Oil, filters, coolant flush, diagnostics.
In Sacramento’s heat, I usually recommend stepping up service to twice a year. Batteries cook faster here, and coolant systems take more abuse.
Bottom Line: Worth It?
If you ask me, yes. A generator for commercial use in Sacramento isn’t an optional expense. It’s insurance against outages that aren’t going away anytime soon.
Wildfires, summer heat, winter storms. Pick your poison. Power will fail. The only question is whether your business is ready.
Old Town Electric has been installing and servicing generators for commercial clients across Sacramento for years. Restaurants, clinics, warehouses, you name it.
Don’t wait until your business is sitting in the dark. Call us today, or check out our commercial electrical services in Sacramento.
