Generac, a top generator manufacturer, anticipates growing residential demand in storm-prone regions and is expanding its workforce by hiring hundreds to meet the need as hurricane season approaches.

In the Tampa Bay area, local companies and Pinellas County building officials report a 50% jump in approved residential permits for generators in 2024 compared to the previous year.

Mike Hoffman, owner of Hoffman Electrical & AC, explained to Bay News 9, “Some people went without power for weeks, even months.” With nearly 40 years serving the region, his company is swamped with requests for whole-house standby units as homeowners brace for future storms. “It’s not just hurricanes—elderly folks relying on oxygen or medical devices need backup power to stay safe,” he added.

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Hoffman noted a shift in mindset: “More people are saying, ‘We need to be ready.’” He sees a pattern of delayed action, though. “Many wait until after a hurricane hits, like they did this time. They’re realizing it’s not ‘if’ but ‘when’—we’re in Florida. The upside? These generators kick in the second the power drops, keeping your whole home running.”

Residential generator options vary—portable or permanent—costing anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over $30,000 on average. Hoffman stressed safety: never run a generator indoors or in semi-enclosed spaces. It must be placed outside, well-ventilated, and far enough from the home to avoid carbon monoxide risks.

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(Image credit: LaPlante Electric)

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