The same place where the picture of the groundhog was taken as seen today:
Roads are a mess, all iced over and slippery, and traffic is at a crawl.
How did we skip spring, summer and fall and head right back into Winter?
On the upside, power is restored, the house is now up from 58 degrees back to 68 degrees, and the sump pump is working under its own power so we don't need to bail by hand anymore.
Anyone have any opinions on whole-house generator systems?
5 comments:
Kohler:
Get the water cooled versions, then engines last a LONG time....Not so much the air cooled version.
Pay for the semi-annual servicing.
Check the oil and water monthly or anytime it has been used for an hour. Buy one size larger than whatever you need to power what you think is "esssential". (Hint: I don't consider AC to be essential)
It'll last a LONG time.
If you are in a place where a sump pump is essential, then it would seem that some sort of generator would be essential. Whole house is more convenient, certainly.
Check out prepper websites. They will have a lot of alternatives for power, heat, cooking, etc.
A wood stove or fireplace insert would be something to consider also. Again, prepper sites will have good information on the pros and cons of the different types.
Do you have a neighborhood association that puts restrictions on what you can do?
During the great ice storm of 4 or 5 years ago, our woodstove and kerosene lamps provided all the heat and light we needed. The house stayed around 70 degrees for the 3 days we were without power. Cooked on our grill and a propane camp stove and on the woodstove too.
Fortunately, power to the city water system remained up, so we could still flush and shower. This is always the big question for me for generators - fuel. Many will tell you to get a natural gas powered one, but does utility power have to remain up for the gas company to be able to maintain service? I suspect you don't have a propane tank in your back yard. Gasoline can't be stored very long. Diesel can, but do you want a big tank of diesel sitting in your back or side yard?
All things to consider. What a fun (and potentially expensive) intellectual exercise!
Most Natural Gas pressurization pumps and cross country transport pumps are big natural gas fueled locomotive type diesels. Generally, one is assured Natural gas pressure unless there is a SHTF event or an earthquake.
First question(s) to ask yourself is, what do you want to power, for how long and how often?
After answering those three, you have the start of what your requirements will be.
Then if the electrical needs are more than 2,000 watts for about 8 hours per day for two or three days, then you should contact a licensed electrician to make recommendations for a contractor to install your backup system.
If you want a 4,000 watt / 120 / 240 volt a gas powered generator, a Honda EG4000CL1 generator is about the best for your dollar. $1500 plus or minus a bit. It is a little more noisy than the inverter types and burns about a gallon and a half per hour.
If your requirements are 2,000 watts and 120 volts then a Honda EU2200i is another real good one. Quiet and fuel burn is about a half a gallon per hour.
About $1,000 plus or minus a bit.
Now if you want to go whole house 24/7 a very good system starts with a dual fuel Onan / Cummins gen sets. They start at around $3,000 plus install.
One thing to really do, is to learn how to hook up your generator to your houses electrical system without endangering yourself or others. NO back feeding into the grid, EVER.
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