Wildfire tops Washington's list of costly weather hazards, and in high-risk areas, utilities can turn off power to prevent fires. This page lists installers by city and shows how to confirm a license with the Washington Department of Labor & Industries 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 Washington
We're still vetting installers in Washington. In the meantime, our team can help you plan a system and explain what to look for in an installer.
Home Backup in Washington: What to Know
Outages and the Washington Grid
FEMA's National Risk Index puts expected annual losses in Washington from wildfire at about $173 million, more than any other weather hazard that commonly knocks out power. Cold waves and heat waves come next, and Kittitas County has the highest wildfire losses in the state.
Utilities
Puget Sound Energy, Avista and Pacific Power serve many Washington homes, and public utilities such as Seattle City Light, Tacoma Power and the state's public utility districts serve many others.
Incentives and Utility Programs
Puget Sound Energy's Flex Batteries program pays an enrollment incentive and per-event payments for home batteries that share power with the grid when demand is high. Customers of other utilities should ask theirs what's offered.
Checking an Installer's License
Washington's Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) licenses electrical contractors and certifies electricians. Check a contractor or electrician with L&I's Verify tool.
Permits and Inspections
L&I issues electrical permits and does inspections in most of Washington, while some cities, such as Seattle, run their own electrical programs.
Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Home Backup Installer
- Are you licensed for this work in Washington? Ask for the license number and check it with the Washington Department of Labor & Industries.
- 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.
Washington Home Backup FAQs
Do I need a licensed contractor to install a home battery in Washington?
Are there Washington incentives for home batteries?
Will a battery get me through a public safety power shutoff?
It can, if it's sized to your essential loads and the expected duration. Solar recharging or a generator input extends runtime. Ask your installer to design around your utility's typical shutoff length.
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 Washington Department of Labor & Industries, 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.
