Hi,
Two winters ago a big snow storm that only happened once every ten years hit with more than 5 feet of snow. Our neighborhood was fortunate enough to loose power for only 24 hours; the others suffered the loss for more than a week. I can never forget the coldness of the night when the room temperature dropped to 40F.
I am seriously considering installing a automatic/manual transfer switch with a standby/primary generator to power the entire small townhouse of mine before the first winter storm hits. I have an electric furnace and there is no gas pipe line in my neighborhood. I have contacted a local standby generator contractor for the installation of a natural gas standby generator. He believed my HOA/county government would not approve a large enough gas tank for an extended running time in my backyard. He suggested a portable gas generator with a manual transfer switch. According to him, there was not a portable gas generator that was powerful enough to power the whole townhouse even a small one. Honda's most powerful portable gas generator produces only 10 kW and costs more than 5 grands.
I did some looking on eBay and found many diesel generator of various specs. Some of them can produce more than 45 kW which seem to be powerful enough for my need. Some made in China come with standby switch option, but I concern the quality and after sale service. Honestly I have no experience with a diesel engine. My neighbor, who maintains a standby diesel generator for a rich family that powers their whole big house during power outage, once told me that the diesel generator was a nasty thing. I need your input on owning a diesel generator like choosing the right one, maintenance issues, fuel storage, cold weather start up, quietness, etc. The generator will see action only during power outage in summer and winter, so, a used one but in good condition will be considered. I know they are not cheap, but I am willing to invest one in this unpredictable global warming weather.
Should I contact another standby generator contractor for a second opinion? Or go for a standby/primary diesel generator? Or other alternatives?
Thanks,
Simon
Two winters ago a big snow storm that only happened once every ten years hit with more than 5 feet of snow. Our neighborhood was fortunate enough to loose power for only 24 hours; the others suffered the loss for more than a week. I can never forget the coldness of the night when the room temperature dropped to 40F.
I am seriously considering installing a automatic/manual transfer switch with a standby/primary generator to power the entire small townhouse of mine before the first winter storm hits. I have an electric furnace and there is no gas pipe line in my neighborhood. I have contacted a local standby generator contractor for the installation of a natural gas standby generator. He believed my HOA/county government would not approve a large enough gas tank for an extended running time in my backyard. He suggested a portable gas generator with a manual transfer switch. According to him, there was not a portable gas generator that was powerful enough to power the whole townhouse even a small one. Honda's most powerful portable gas generator produces only 10 kW and costs more than 5 grands.
I did some looking on eBay and found many diesel generator of various specs. Some of them can produce more than 45 kW which seem to be powerful enough for my need. Some made in China come with standby switch option, but I concern the quality and after sale service. Honestly I have no experience with a diesel engine. My neighbor, who maintains a standby diesel generator for a rich family that powers their whole big house during power outage, once told me that the diesel generator was a nasty thing. I need your input on owning a diesel generator like choosing the right one, maintenance issues, fuel storage, cold weather start up, quietness, etc. The generator will see action only during power outage in summer and winter, so, a used one but in good condition will be considered. I know they are not cheap, but I am willing to invest one in this unpredictable global warming weather.
Should I contact another standby generator contractor for a second opinion? Or go for a standby/primary diesel generator? Or other alternatives?
Thanks,
Simon