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Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,269
Registered: ‎11-08-2020

Re: Generac generator for whole house

@sarahpanda , I have Generac.  Every week at a predetermined time my generator "exercises" for five minutes or so.  That means it automatically turns on and runs and then automatically shuts off.  This is a safety mechanism to ensure it is in good working order.  The switch over from regular power to generator is seamless.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,893
Registered: ‎06-25-2012

Re: Generac generator for whole house

We have a Generac. it's paid for itself! We live rural and whenever we experience a power outage within a minute we have full power not only in our house but our garage too. (we have living quarters above garage) Very, very handy!!

"Pure Michigan"
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,790
Registered: ‎03-20-2012

Re: Generac generator for whole house

We thought about a generator for a few years and finally purchased a Generac 2 years ago. WORTH EVERY $!!! The first loss of power (after I had grocery shopped the day before) was worth the payment. Since then I never had an doubts about it. 

 

Valued Contributor
Posts: 601
Registered: ‎02-24-2018

Re: Generac generator for whole house


@sarahpanda wrote:

Wow !  I've never seen so many positive comments in a thread - about anything !  You all have been very helpful...but one more question....What is this business about ''testing'' the Generac?  Is that something I would have to remember to do physically outside?  What does that involve?  TIA  !!


 

My Generac is set to test itself weekly for about 5 minutes. I do nothing, but I'm always happy to hear it start up and run smoothly at the ready.

 

Also, my new model Generac does have a green light on the side I can see from a window to verify all is well. The old reliable almost 20 year one we replaced did not. This is handy when its freezing and snowy outside. Yes, you can download an app to show all kinds of stats of generator and monitor too, if you prefer.

 

I wish every piece of equipment ran as smooth and reliable as our Generacs have for decades.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,337
Registered: ‎09-01-2010

Re: Generac generator for whole house

@sarahpanda 

If you buy a generator large enough to power your house, the company you buy from will lay out your costs, which will involve installation of a transfer switch that will automatically turn the generator on within about 40+ seconds after power loss.  The generator will be programmed to automatically run a weekly self test.  The transfer switch handles everything for you.  

In our situation of being rural, on propane power, if electricity goes out in the winter when our heat is running and we turn on our electric stove or a hot water spigot, that big pull pressure for propane to keep the generator running will be too much, and it will protect itself by shutting down.  If this happens, we have to wait a certain length of time and push the restart button to get the generator going again.  

Valued Contributor
Posts: 601
Registered: ‎02-24-2018

Re: Generac generator for whole house

@RedTop Thank you for sharing that anomaly with a propane powered generator if electric heat on and you turn on electric stove or hot water spigot. We've always had natural gas and not experience that issue. At some point, we may not have natural gas access, so I appreciate the information if we have to go the propane route.

 


@RedTop wrote:

@sarahpanda 

If you buy a generator large enough to power your house, the company you buy from will lay out your costs, which will involve installation of a transfer switch that will automatically turn the generator on within about 40+ seconds after power loss.  The generator will be programmed to automatically run a weekly self test.  The transfer switch handles everything for you.  

In our situation of being rural, on propane power, if electricity goes out in the winter when our heat is running and we turn on our electric stove or a hot water spigot, that big pull pressure for propane to keep the generator running will be too much, and it will protect itself by shutting down.  If this happens, we have to wait a certain length of time and push the restart button to get the generator going again.  


 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,269
Registered: ‎11-08-2020

Re: Generac generator for whole house

@nwbabs @RedTop @sarahpanda , interesting to see the comments about the electric stove.  My stove is fuelled by propane as well as my generator.  We also have the bbq hooked up to the big propane tanks and a fireplace.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,337
Registered: ‎09-01-2010

Re: Generac generator for whole house

@Lilysmom1 

As you know, the amount of propane pulled by the generator is based on demand by the appliances wired in or plugged in, along with everything plugged into an outlet.  That is why I unplug all nonessentials when on generator power.  

 

As soon as electric stoves, the hot water spigot pulling hot water from an electric powered water heater, (maybe even dishwashers with a heating element) are turned on, there is a BIG demand for more propane in order for the generator to power thru that electrical request.  Even my large generator cannot handle that if my heat pump is running to heat my house during the winter.  Not a problem in the summer when a/c is running, but multiple demands from heating elements at the same time are an issue.  We would lower the thermostat to keep the heat from coming on while others showered and blow dried their hair.  

Valued Contributor
Posts: 850
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Generac generator for whole house

We have a Generac generator for the whole house. Best investment we ever made. We live in Maine, this past Winter we lost power for three day's, the generator kept everything running. For everything it cost us around $17,000. Worth every dime. We have 3 propane tank's, some people want 2 but I wanted 3 in case we had a long power outage.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,269
Registered: ‎11-08-2020

Re: Generac generator for whole house

@Love4cats , I live in Nova Scotia so our climates are similar.  We have four propane tanks.  We had two before the generator and added two with that installation.