In Virginia, hurricanes cause more expected damage than any other outage-prone weather, and the outages they bring can last for days. Below, you'll find installers by city, how to check a license with the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, and questions to ask before you hire.
Find an Installer by City
Don't see your city? Many installers serve a wide area. Check the nearest city, or ask us for help.
Installers Serving Virginia
We're still vetting installers in Virginia. In the meantime, our team can help you plan a system and explain what to look for in an installer.
Home Backup in Virginia: What to Know
Outages and the Virginia Grid
Hurricanes lead Virginia's outage-related weather risks, with about $212 million in expected annual losses in FEMA's National Risk Index, followed by tornadoes and heat waves. Within the state, Fairfax County faces the highest hurricane losses.
Utilities
Dominion Energy Virginia serves most of the state's homes, Appalachian Power serves southwest Virginia, and electric cooperatives serve many rural areas.
Incentives and Utility Programs
Dominion Energy Virginia is developing a virtual power plant pilot, approved by the State Corporation Commission, that is required to include incentives for home batteries. Check Dominion's virtual power plant page for launch details. Co-op customers should ask their co-op.
Checking an Installer's License
Virginia licenses contracting firms through the Board for Contractors, which requires an electrical specialty for electrical work, and licenses individual electricians as tradesmen. Both are part of DPOR, so check both on DPOR's license lookup.
Permits and Inspections
Electrical permits come from your city or county building department.
Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Home Backup Installer
- Are you licensed for this work in Virginia? Ask for the license number and check it with the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
- Will you pull the permits and schedule the inspections? Permitted work protects your insurance and resale value.
- Have you installed this type of system before? Ask about battery, generator or transfer-switch projects like yours, and which brands.
- Will you install equipment I buy myself? Many installers will. Some only install what they sell. Ask before you buy.
- What's included in the quote? Look for the equipment, panel work, transfer switch, permits, utility paperwork and haul-away.
- What warranty do you provide on your workmanship? It's separate from the manufacturer's equipment warranty.
- How will the system switch over in an outage? Automatic or manual, and which circuits will be backed up.
- Who services the system after installation?
Need Help Choosing Equipment First?
Tell us about your home and what you want to keep running, and an Outbound Power specialist will recommend a system and explain how installation would work. No obligation.
Virginia Home Backup FAQs
Do I need a licensed contractor to install a home battery in Virginia?
Are there Virginia incentives for home batteries?
Should I choose a battery, a generator, or both?
Batteries switch over silently and need no fuel, but multi-day outages can drain them. Generators run as long as fuel lasts. Many homes in hurricane areas combine both, recharging the battery from solar or a generator. An installer can size either option to your essential loads.
Can I buy my own equipment and hire a local installer?
Often, yes. Many installers will install customer-supplied equipment, but policies vary. Each listing in this directory shows whether the installer says they do. Confirm with the installer before you buy, and share the exact model so they can plan the installation.
Does Outbound Power install equipment?
No. Outbound Power sells home backup equipment and helps you plan a system. Installation is done by independent, licensed contractors like those listed here.
How are installers chosen for this directory?
Installers apply or are invited. Before listing, we confirm their business identity, check their license with the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, and confirm their services and service area. Verified installers have also completed an insurance and reputation review. Nobody pays to be listed or for placement. Directory standards →
Installers listed here are independent businesses, not employees or agents of Outbound Power. We check the items described in our directory standards, but we don't supervise or guarantee their work. Confirm licensing, permits, pricing and warranty terms in your written agreement. Listed in alphabetical order; Verified installers appear first. Nobody pays for placement.
