Kane County, IL — Generator Installation Guide
Standby Generator Installation in Aurora, IL
When the August 2020 derecho left 800,000+ ComEd customers dark and the July 2024 derecho struck Kane County again, Aurora homes were in the path. Real install-cost drivers, honest sizing, and help comparing local installer quotes — what an Aurora homeowner needs before buying a whole-home standby generator.
Free and no obligation. Your request goes to one established installer covering Aurora — never sold to a list of contractors.
Why Aurora Homeowners Buy Standby Generators
August 2020
The Midwest derecho swept 80+ mph winds across the Chicago metro and left more than 800,000 ComEd customers without power; 263,140 were still out more than 24 hours later. Aurora is served by ComEd, so restoration here follows that same regional storm response.
July 2024
A derecho sequence produced roughly 90 mph downburst gusts across DeKalb, Kane, and DuPage Counties — Kane County included — with impact comparable to the 2020 event. Multi-day, wind-driven outages are a recurring risk on this side of the metro.
Each event above is documented northern Illinois storm history — dated events, not marketing. A standby generator turns on within seconds of an outage — no extension cords, no starting a portable unit in the rain.
Aurora at a Glance
$274,800
Median Home Value
$93,633
Median Household Income
66.4%
Homeownership Rate
58.7% of housing
Single-Family Homes
Aurora city, ACS 2024 5-yr. Census tables B25077 · B19013 · B25003 · B25024. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
What Does a Generator Cost in Aurora?
Aurora is in the Chicago-area labor market. Installed costs run higher than the national averages you will find on generic home improvement sites. For most Aurora homes, a 22kW Generac Guardian installed starts around $12,000 — permits excluded, standard site conditions.
| Generator | Starting Installed Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 14kW Generac Guardian | $10,500 | Essentials or small whole-home. Tight on NG for 4-ton AC. |
| 18kW Generac Guardian | $11,900 | Good whole-home option for smaller homes. |
| 22kW Generac Guardian | $12,000 | Recommended for most 2,500 sq ft homes in Aurora |
| 24kW Generac Guardian | $12,500 | For larger homes or EV charger included. |
| 26kW Generac Guardian | $13,000 | Largest air-cooled residential option. |
Source: GSHA Services (serving Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane counties). Starting prices — permits excluded. Standard install = 10 ft gas and electric piping above grade. Long gas runs, panel upgrades, or difficult access add cost.
Recommended size for Aurora
For a typical Aurora home — about 2,500 sq ft with gas appliances and a 3–4 ton central AC — the recommended standby generator size is 22kW. That is the right call for most Aurora homes: a home that size needs more load headroom than a 14kW unit can reliably hold during a summer outage.
Want the full sizing math — why 14kW runs out of headroom and where 22kW gets its margin? See the complete generator sizing guide.
Still deciding? Weigh the 20-year cost of ownership and ROI, or learn how to compare installer quotes.
Aurora Permit Requirements
A permit is required; the City of Aurora Division of Building & Permits issues building permits. Fees are set by the city fee schedule and quoted at application.
For the metro-wide picture — verified fees by jurisdiction, who can pull the permit, ComEd vs. municipal electric, Nicor meter upgrades, and the inspection sequence — see the Chicago-area generator permits & utility guide.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Electric utility | ComEd |
| Gas utility | Nicor GasAurora is served by Nicor Gas. If adding a generator exceeds your existing meter capacity, contact your gas utility to request a meter capacity review before installation. Allow 3–4 weeks for utility response. |
| Setbacks — NFPA 37 / manufacturer |
|
HOA Note
Aurora city permits do not override HOA covenants (CC&Rs). Some HOAs require board approval, screening requirements, or specific placement for generator installations. Check your CC&Rs before ordering equipment — this is a separate process from the city permit.
What Makes Aurora Different
Aurora homes are served by ComEd for electricity and Nicor Gas for natural gas — there is no municipal electric utility here, so outage restoration follows ComEd's regional storm response.
The Fox River runs through the center of Aurora, and the City maintains an official floodplain map. If your lot is in or near a FEMA flood zone, a standby generator should be sited and elevated above the base flood elevation.
Aurora has adopted the National Electrical Code for electrical work, so a compliant transfer switch and a permitted install by a licensed contractor are required.
Comparing Installer Quotes in Aurora
The surest way to know a Aurora quote is fair is to put two or three comparable quotes side by side. These guides show what to check before you sign.
Guides to read before you sign
- How to compare installer quotes — a line-by-line checklist, the questions to ask, and the red flags.
- Transfer switches & load management — what stays on, and how a smaller unit can back your whole home.
- The warranty guide — what five years really covers, and what keeps it valid.
- The Chicago-area standby generator guide — costs, sizing, brands, and every city we cover.
Aurora Generator FAQ
Do I need a permit to install a standby generator in Aurora?
Yes. A standby generator install requires a permit from the City of Aurora, and Aurora has adopted the National Electrical Code for electrical work — so the job needs a compliant transfer switch and a permitted install by a licensed contractor. Permit fees are set by the City and quoted at application; confirm the current amount and submittal requirements on Aurora’s permits page before ordering equipment.
What powers a standby generator in Aurora, and who restores my power?
Aurora homes are served by ComEd for electricity and Nicor Gas for natural gas — there is no municipal electric utility here. That means outage restoration follows ComEd’s regional storm response rather than a city crew, which is part of why homeowners on the same street can be restored at different times. A standby generator typically runs on natural gas, so it draws from the Nicor supply already at the house.
My lot is near the Fox River. Does that affect where the generator can go?
It can. The Fox River runs through the center of Aurora and the City maintains an official floodplain map. If your lot sits in or near a FEMA flood zone, a standby generator should be sited and elevated above the base flood elevation so the unit is not standing in high water during exactly the storm that caused the outage. Confirm placement and pad height with your installer during siting.
What size generator does an Aurora home need?
For most homes, 22kW is the typical recommendation. The number that usually drives it is air-conditioning startup load rather than square footage — a large AC compressor draws a substantial surge when it kicks on. An installer should size the unit to your specific home and confirm the load, and a larger unit sometimes calls for a panel upgrade.