topic Re: Generators for the home. in Home

Generators for the home.

qualitygal — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 12:44:30 GMT

We checking into them now. Plan to get one this time. We're too old now to mess with dragging one around to use in a power outage. Around here, if it didn't happen as often as it does, this wouldn't even be considered. But, we want to get it done before winter.

If you'd like to speak to this, please do. Good or bad. Thanks.

Re: Generators for the home.

Group 5 minus 1 — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 12:52:46 GMT

We have a Generac. We lose power frequently. Love our Generac. About 30 SECONDS after we lose power it goes on. We never have to worry about flishing the toilet or the pump working.

Re: Generators for the home.

RedTop — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 13:37:18 GMT

We bought ours thru the company we buy our heat pumps thru. Salesman came out and thoroughly explained the size we needed for a whole house generator which would be able to power our 3 ton heat pump in a winter power outage.

The generator was about $14,000 and by the time we poured the concrete pad, got the 500 lb propane in and filled, plus electrical setup, it was at $17,000.

In an outage, the generator kicks in within about 15 seconds. When ours comes on, we go thru the house and unplug the unnecessary stuff, as the generator is sending power to everything that is plugged in whether it's on or not, which only pulls more propane from the tank.

The longest we have been without power in the 10 years we've had the generator was 4 days, and that was last winter. I had propane delivered in June for the first time in 3 years. We didn't actually need propane, but the gauge in our tank does not work, so I have to go by usage and years.

Re: Generators for the home.

jackthebear — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 14:26:19 GMT

would never want to be without.

we lived thru the Halloween storm and Sandy it was miserable

and like the OP too old to pretend camping in the house.

also, what put us over the edge with a gas-powered one it gas stations also need electricity to pump.

just be sure you a company that will service it at least once a year and available if there is a problem

one more thing keep it away from the bedroom, they can be noisy,

Re: Generators for the home.

Fressa — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 15:25:00 GMT

We've wanted one for years and after this last storm we decided to finally buy. I was tired of throwing out meat and groceries as well as coping with my health issues. We purchased a Generac and love it. I can't tell you the peace of mind that ****** brings knowing that the food purchased will keep until you need it. It's sucha relief to know that my health issues will not be compromized because of the heat, etc.

We purchased a large unit to power the entire home. We work from home so that was a consideration. There are other options if you prefer. Our's kicks on in 20 seconds and off when the the power returns. No need to flip switches or go outside to check switches.

We also purchased a maintance agreement so the company will service and check the unit yearly. One less item to remember to check during the year.

Re: Generators for the home.

qualitygal — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 19:16:23 GMT

Thank you all, yes what you mentioned is what concerned us too. We will need to have one to feel reassured for our health and safety and coming years. It does offer a sense of relief. Thank you.

Re: Generators for the home.

DrBabs — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 21:25:14 GMT

Two of my neighbors purchased the Generac whole-house generator and spent a bundle. I just don't have that kind of money, although I'd certainly llike one of those units. One caution: the neighbor behind me had his generator running for over 2 hours one day due to a problem with the electrical service. The noise and vibration felt in my house was really disturbing, so he kindly built a sound wall. I can't even hear it when the unit tests every week for about 10 minutes and all is well. But the siting/location of the unit is something to be considered very carefully.

Edited to add: I live in Texas and that winter storm of Feb 2021 probably increased the sales of generators by a gazillion percent!

Re: Generators for the home.

Skyegirl21 — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 21:17:19 GMT

We have only lost power twice in 20 yrs, but for a few days- we analyzed it and belabored it and bought a 6000BTU generac unit, that has wheels. We didn't want to spend 15k. So far haven't used it since got it, but I'm sure I am cursing us now! Lol🤣🤣🤣

Re: Generators for the home.

Lilysmom1 — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 09:09:17 GMT

@qualitygal , we installed a whole home Generac. We are on the east coast of Canada and the number of named storms go up every year. Great peace of mind. Noise from operation not an issue as we have large lots. Certainly much quieter than a mobile one. Price was in the range others indicated. LM

Re: Generators for the home.

gardenman — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 13:10:22 GMT

Getting one installed before winter could be an issue for you. I've heard of long waiting lists lasting six months or more. You won't want to wait too long before making the commitment. Demand seems to have outpaced supply.

Re: Generators for the home.

Allegheny — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 21:26:35 GMT

We purchased a Koehler generator two years and are very happy we finally decided to make the purchase. Our power goes out occasionally. When it does it can be out for quite some time. This is mainily because alot of lines in our area are in heavily wooded areas.

Generators can be expensive, but it depends on what you want. We paid approximately $8000. We already have natural gas in our home, so that made our install much cheaper. We wanted a unit powerful enough to operate everything.

One does not need to have their entire house covered, smaller sizes are available.

Re: Generators for the home.

AuntG — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 01:36:29 GMT

There is a commercial on TV in our area that says you can get one for $5000. If I actually believed we could get one completely installed for that, I might consider it.

Re: Generators for the home.

shoesnbags — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 02:25:02 GMT

@AuntG wrote:
There is a commercial on TV in our area that says you can get one for $5000. If I actually believed we could get one completely installed for that, I might consider it.

@AuntG

Why not just call them to come out and give you an estimate? As someone said upthread, you don't have to power the entire house if expense is an issue. But be sure to ask about additional fees for plumbing work, inspections, etc., not just the cost of the generator.

Having said that, we have a Generac whole house generator that is powered by a natural gas line. Living in hurricane country it's gotten to be almost a necessity as climate change is making weather events more frequent and stronger. After Hurricane Ida last August, our generator ran for 11 straight days before our power was restored. That generator has been worth every penny because my husband is no longer up to handling everything that goes with a portable generator.

Re: Generators for the home.

Trailrun23 — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 00:32:15 GMT

You will be so thankful you purchased it, if and when you need it.

Re: Generators for the home.

RedTop — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 02:40:09 GMT

@AuntG

Powering the heating system in your home is the main criteria for determining the size generator you need.

We have a 3 ton heat pump, heating about 1800 sq ft, 3 refrigerators and a freezer which required a larger unit. A home with electric baseboard heat, 1 refrigerator and small chest freezer could get by with a much smaller generator.

When our power goes out and we go on generator power, we unplug all lamps, fans, small appliances, and bedroom TV's, as the generator supplies power to everything you have plugged in whether it is in use or not. Even tho the generator is able to handle it, we do not have lights on in every room of the house, I don't do laundry, or use the oven on the stove.

In the winter, if the generator is running and someone needs to shower, we have to reduce the heat setting on the thermostat to keep the heat pump from turning on while the hot water heater is on supplying water for the shower. The heat pump and the water heater pull the most amps which will pull a large amount of propane at one time, overloading the generator, causing the safety switch to kick in and shut the generator down to protect it.