Gas generators for the home [MERGED]

[Nhwhazup]

We have one in the garage that we roll out and plug in to the house when we need it. We paid around $1200 for it and $800 for the transfer switches. It runs on gasoline and can handle everything we need it to. We don’t have the washer and dryer hooked up.

When we purchased it 15 years ago, we were losing our power quite a bit. In the last 15 years, we have used it maybe 8 times if that. I feel this option was a good choice for us. Works great and reasonable price especially for as little as we have to use it.

 

[D.T.]

I’ve thought about one, the fancy kind that kicks in automatically and powers the house, I figure $5-6k, but it’s hard to justify the benefits. It should be viewed as a luxury

The key is that to be really useful, you need to have them running on your natural gas, not gasoline you have to stockpile or go fetch,

Yeah, for us, it would really only be needed during a hurricane, ugh, if/when that happens again, *fingers crossed*, and in the event of a really serious storm, we're probably clearing out anyway (and/or won't have access to this area for a decent amount of time). Sourcing the gas is a bit of a PITA, I had eight 6-7 gal containers sitting here, felt like I was sitting on an ammo dump After we cleared that last storm and the season ended, I used that gas in the RT

 

[Huntn]

Yeah, for us, it would really only be needed during a hurricane, ugh, if/when that happens again, *fingers crossed*, and in the event of a really serious storm, we're probably clearing out anyway (and/or won't have access to this area for a decent amount of time). Sourcing the gas is a bit of a PITA, I had eight 6-7 gal containers sitting here, felt like I was sitting on an ammo dump After we cleared that last storm and the season ended, I used that gas in the RT

I want to say that gasoline generators consume about 16-20 gal a day?

 

[D.T.]

I want to say that gasoline generators consume about 16-20 gal a day?

Yeah, that sounds about right, I think ours will go 8-9 hours on a tank (6 gallons), at ~50% load. Last time we had to use ours, we'd do shifts of use, and that depends on the weather at the time too (like how much AC do you want, etc.)

 

[someoldguy]

Yup , got one . Had it since the previous century (1998 or thereabouts) . 6.5Kw.It'll run my fridge , furnace , microwave,Verizon box , and a couple of light circuits . Actually it's a construction generator , but has a 120/240 plug . I dug a trench from the garage to my house and ran some 1" plastic conduit in it . Ran wires from a 120/240 socket in the garage
through the conduit Ito the basement where there's another 120/240 socket . Made up some connecting cables to go from generator to socket in the garage , and from the basement socket to a transfer switch wired into my main panel .
Every month or so I'll fire it up , and run it under load for 10 minutes or so . Didn't use it for power more than once or twice until Superstorm Sandy put me in the dark for 9 days .
Glad to have it then .
During Sandy I ran the generator from 8 A.M. or so until the tank ran out , usually around 10P.M. ,got a 6 gallon tank so figure maybe 10 gallons/day for a 24 hour day, assuming minimal load late nights.

 

[aristobrat]

I want to say that gasoline generators consume about 16-20 gal a day?

IMO, inverter generators can do better if you can survive on a smaller load. The one I have can generate 1800w (50% load) for about 15 hours using about 3.5 gallons. 110v only though.

My house uses around 1000-1200w with the fridge (not in defrost mode) + electronics + lights + ceiling fans going so I’m figuring ~7 gallons a day.

Keeping fresh gas around in bulk is a PITA. If we’re in the track of a hurricane I have two 5-gallon containers I’ll fill up.

In case we ever need more gas, I got a squeeze-bulb siphon kit that makes pulling gas out of our cars super easy. Also makes emptying the generator out after tests easy too!

 

[Huntn]

IMO, inverter generators can do better if you can survive on a smaller load. The one I have can generate 1800w (50% load) for about 15 hours using about 3.5 gallons. 110v only though.

My house uses around 1000-1200w with the fridge (not in defrost mode) + electronics + lights + ceiling fans going so I’m figuring ~7 gallons a day.

Keeping fresh gas around in bulk is a PITA. If we’re in the track of a hurricane I have two 5-gallon containers I’ll fill up.

In case we ever need more gas, I got a squeeze-bulb siphon kit that makes pulling gas out of our cars super easy. Also makes emptying the generator out after tests easy too!

Is this tied into your house‘s wiring or are you running extension cords through your house? I’m pissed because this is the first house I’ve lived in where the CB panel is frick’n outside on the side of the house because the builder could save 50’ of cable by not putting it in the garage.

 

[D.T.]

Is this tied into your house‘s wiring or are you running extension cords through your house?

My area stands the off chance of being smacked with a hurricane so we have a generator interlock on the circuit panel and a portable Westinghouse 4500i inverter generator. I

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The above is a great idea, it really simplifies use, and almost gives you the same flexibility as a perm installed whole home unit.

 

[Huntn]

I’d love to get a Tesla Powerwall + solar setup but we rarely lose power. I think it’s been out a total of four overs spread over a bunch of small outages over the last five years.

My area stands the off chance of being smacked with a hurricane so we have a generator interlock on the circuit panel and a portable Westinghouse 4500i inverter generator. It’s decently quiet, fuel efficient, and with a modified cable can power all the non-220 outlets in the house.

I assume that there is a switch that cuts off the street power, and that you plug this unit in when needed?
I don’t think you mentioned needing AC. I’ll assume it would be much better to get a small 110v window unit to cool a bedroom, than to try to power up the furnace? We have a gas furnace, but AC is electric and off the top of my head, I’ll think it is 220v until I’ll I check it.

 

[D.T.]

I assume that there is a switch that cuts off the street power, and that you plug this unit in when needed?
I don’t think you mentioned needing AC. I’ll assume it would be much better to get a small 110v window unit to cool a bedroom, than to try to power up the furnace? We have a gas furnace, but AC is electric and off the top of my head, I’ll think it is 220v until I’ll I check it.

Sorry, don't mean to answer for the person you directed that at, but yes, that's the two things it does: 1) isolate your house from the power grid, and 2) powers the house like normal, so all outlets, and integrated things like HCAV are powered.

Just for power conservation, you'd probably want to skip running the central system (off of a 6K-8K portable), but there are super nice stand alone units, we have one, it's like 10K BTU, LG, just sits on the floor, though it does have a window air exchanger that just fits into a partially opened window. Set it up in a bedroom, and everyone can gather in there to sleep, hang, relax in relative coolness (vs. the rest of the house).

We tested it in our master, which is pretty big, like 24' x 20' (with a large connected bathroom) I think, made it nice and cold with the door closed.

 

[Micky Do]

Have to say OP you are the first person I've ever heard say that they want to run their pool off their generator.

First world problem!
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[Nhwhazup]

Is this tied into your house‘s wiring or are you running extension cords through your house? I’m pissed because this is the first house I’ve lived in where the CB panel is frick’n outside on the side of the house because the builder could save 50’ of cable by not putting it in the garage.

We have transfer switches tied in to the panel in the basement and one plug in for the generator on the outside of the house. Plug it in, flip the switches and good to go.

 

[D.T.]

We have transfer switches tied in to the panel in the basement and one plug in for the generator on the outside of the house. Plug it in, flip the switches and good to go.

I think at a minimum we're going to get one installed. It greatly simplifies power distribution, and even if you're not powering everything you normally would, it means you can fire something up as needed. A decent 10 circuit transfer switch is ~$350, and about 2-3 hours of labor (if you outsource), maybe $600-800, so reasonably inexpensive considering how much is improves using your generator. I do some electrical work around the house, but wouldn't mind paying for this install.

Side note: every year when generator talk comes up someone suggests backfeeding your generator through a 240 dryer outlet, because, "I've been doing this for years", please don't.

 

[jeyf]

the last panic was 1999->2000
when citizens should have been out drinking the new year a small segment held up under their beds waiting for the end of mankind.

now its the coronavirus zombie apocalypse.

resist!

 

[Huntn]

Thanks, I'm going to research them today.

Deja vu! After a close one (Laura), once again I’m considering this 6 years later. The choices are:

• Portable generator setup, approximately $1500 Includes generator, small AC unit for bedroom, enough to power the AC unit, refrigerator, and a TV. Gasoline consumption approximately 15-20 gallons per day.
• Tied in home generator powered by natural gas, the ultimate in convenience, but expensive, approximately $4-5000 for generator, electrical work, gas line required, could a $8-10k insurance policy.

Thoughts?

 

[MacNut]

If you only get random outages a few time a year go with the portable generator. If you are prone to constant outages that last days go the whole home route.

 

[Huntn]

We have transfer switches tied in to the panel in the basement and one plug in for the generator on the outside of the house. Plug it in, flip the switches and good to go.

How much of the house does this generator power? Does flipping the switch tie it into the entire house, and you just have to watch what you turn on? For a portable generator I think wanting to power the house AC unit and furnace is a stretch, not implying you suggested that. I acknowledge that a switch that connects to what you want it to connect to would be great. It would be fairly easy to to tie in a couple wall of receptacles circuits and the refrigerator to such a switch And would be much more convenient than dragging extension cords from the outside to inside.

 

[MacNut]

How much of the house does this generator power? Does flipping the switch tie it into the entire house, and you just have to watch what you turn on? For a portable generator I think wanting to power the house AC unit and furnace is a stretch, not implying you suggested that. I acknowledge that a switch that connects to what you want it to connect to would be great. It would be fairly easy to to tie in a couple wall of receptacles circuits and the refrigerator to such a switch And would be much more convenient than dragging extension cords from the outside to inside.

It depends on the size of the generator. The sub panel will power the essentials. A few rooms fridge furnace/ac.

 

[Huntn]

If you only get random outages a few time a year go with the portable generator. If you are prone to constant outages that last days go the whole home route.

Last week during a thunder storm, something popped and ten homes in our neighborhood including mine lost power for about 15 hours. Even though the wire comes to the house underground, we have power lines on poles running just behind the neighborhood, all over the neighborhood, running through the woods where it is just not that unusual for branches or trees to fall interrupting power. We moved to Houston in 2008, but maintained 2 homes at the time and were staying at our Minnesota house for Ike. Some locations for both Ike and Harvey were without power for a week or more. Miraculously Harvey stalled and was in close proximity to Houston for 3 days, our house did not flood, nor did we lose power. Over 20” of rain, the south side of our neighborhood flooded, but only after the powers that be decided to release water from Lake Conroe, which was dangerously high. That came right down the river and pushed the water into neighborhoods.

History of severe storms in the Houston area:

• The Great Galveston Storm, 1900.
• Galveston hurricane, 1915.
• Hurricane Carla, 1961.
• Hurricane Alicia, 1983.
• Tropical Storm Allison, 2001.
• Hurricane Rita, 2005.
• Hurricane Ike, 2008.
• Hurricane Harvey, 2017.

 

[MacNut]

Things to remember living in a hurricane zone. If you are in a flood prone area the generator will need to be elevated. Remember gas lines can possibly go down, and if running propane those tanks can be damaged as well. A whole home solution is the best idea but it is pricey. The electrical will need to be upgraded to accommodate a whole home tranfser switch. The good thing is they switch automatically.

 

[Huntn]

Things to remember living in a hurricane zone. If you are in a flood prone area the generator will need to be elevated. Remember gas lines can possibly go down, and if running propane those tanks can be damaged as well. A whole home solution is the best idea but it is pricey. The electrical will need to be upgraded to accommodate a whole home tranfser switch. The good thing is they switch automatically.

Harvey was the flood test, yet some houses 1 mile away recently flooded (inches) during a thunderstorm, due to construction and neighborhood drainage being obstructed somehow. Anyway I got flood insurance after that. And if I installed a house wired generator, I would elevate it several feet.

 

[Huntn]

Any opinions or advice appreciated:
I’m leaning on the portable generator with an installed transfer switch. My goal would be to power setup ideally using an external transfer switch, which I have the knowledge to install. This would allow the desired circuits to be powered without extension cords, just running a cord from the generator to the transfer switch.

• Refrigerator
• Natural gas cook top, so the electric starter is not required (matches, hand lighter).
• House Central AC unit or small Bedroom AC Unit.
• 1 or 2 circuits of wall receptacles for TV, lights, although our TV requires internet which may or may not be functional after the Storm.

To do:

• Determine items to power and their power requirements (wattage).
• Determine if powering Central AC with a portable generator is realistic, or opt for small bedroom AC unit.
• Determine brand of generator and power desired based on items to power.
• Determine brand and size of transfer switch (transfer system) based on the amps of the circuits to be transferred.

Questions to follow

Links so far:

Stay Powered Up: The Best Portable Generators In 2022 – Gear Hungry

Whether you're heading out on a camping trip, working outdoors, or prepping for the next natural disaster, here are the best portable generators of 2022.

www.gearhungry.com

How to Install a Transfer Switch (with Pictures) - wikiHow

Installing a transfer switch refers to the process of adding the necessary trigger to change your energy to generator power in the event of an electrical outage. This task requires experience with electrical wiring. Follow these steps for...

www.wikihow.com

How To Install a Manual Transfer Switch for a Portable Generator

Ask This Old House master electrician Scott Caron visits Alaska to install a portable generator with a manual transfer switch.

www.thisoldhouse.com

Transfer Switches

Transfer Switches Allow You to Easily Switch Between Utility & Generator Power. A Generator Transfer Switch Makes Powering Your Home Easy. An Electrical Transfer Switch Can Be Either Manual or Automatic, Depending on Your Generator. Shop for you Generator Switch Online Today & Save with Electric...

www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com

Calculating Watts

How Many Watts Does a Refrigerator Use - Payless Power

Payless Power answers the question, "how many watts does a refrigerator use?" and offers tips on optimizing energy savings from your fridge.

paylesspower.com

Refrigerator watts = volts x amps. My fridge is 115v x 6.5 amps= 750 watts (rounded). I read the label on the inside of my Sears Refrigerator.

Portable AC Units

How to Vent a Portable AC Unit | Home Air Guides

Portable AC Unit Venting 101: Here's how to vent a portable air conditioner without a window, through a ceiling, up a chimney and more.

homeairguides.com

Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner with Dehumidifier and Fan for Rooms Up to 500 Square Feet, Includes Storage Bag, Platinum/Black, AC Unit Only

Whynter is going GREEN! With this new Eco-friendly CFC free, lead free and high energy efficiency portable air conditioner, you can stay cool while keeping with better environmental standards and reducing energy consumption. This Whynter GREEN ARC-14S portable air conditioner features the ECO-FRI...

www.amazon.com

 

[Huntn]

I’m looking at a Westinghouse portable generator that is dual gasoline or propane. Has anyone used propane, I assume at $15-30 a bottle (?) that it is expensive. How long would a typical bottle you might buy to run the grill last running a generator?

 

[MacNut]

I’m looking at a Westinghouse portable generator that is dual gasoline or propane. Has anyone used propane, I assume at $15-30 a bottle (?) that it is expensive. How long would a typical bottle you might buy to run the grill last running a generator?

I’d stuck with gas. In an outage you don’t know how many propane refilling stations are open. You can always find a gas station with power.

 

[Huntn]

After considering the options associated with my property, I just don’t think a tied in home generator is practical. I don’t have the room. Our small backyard is filled with a pool and pool deck, the deck butts into the house. The property line is only 5’ from the house. The left side of the house is where the AC compressor is, and has room for a permanent generator, but the electrical CB panel is on the outside of the house on the rear right corner of the house by the kitchen. I’m not prepared to pay to have that electrical panel moved. Running a cable (from generator to panel ) would require tearing up the deck, or run it up the side of house, through the attic and likely tear up the kitchen to negotiate all the other wires there going to the CB panel.

At this point, a portable generator, to be wheeled into place, and installing a transfer switch By the existing electrical panel seems like this would be the way to go.

I’d stuck with gas. In an outage you don’t know how many propane refilling stations are open. You can always find a gas station with power.

I was thinking of the small bottles used for a grill. I can’t imagine one of those lasting very long.