Whole House Generator ?
- Thread starter Gebo
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I understand everyone has different ideas when it comes to back up power, but personally I can't justify the cost of a whole home generator. I am not a fan of the automatic units because I would rather choose what gets power when we need it. I maintain the essentials with 7500 watts (i.e. well pump or water heater, lights, propane furnace, 2 refrigerators) but have never tried the AC in the summer. We usually throw a window unit in the living room and suffer through. A portable unit used with a interlock panel suits our needs perfectly. No, we don't cook on the stove or wash laundry when on generator power, but for the essentials a smaller unit works and needs considerably less fuel.
To me, the initial cost and feeding a whole house generator is cost prohibitive.
To me, the initial cost and feeding a whole house generator is cost prohibitive.
RhondaHonda, based on what you said, I went to look over the quote. It is for a 20KW. My neighbor
told me it was a 24KW and so I just assumed it was a 24KW. The quote plainly says Model 20RCA.
Please disregard my question as even though the price difference is still true.
It really doesn't matter as both the Kohler website and the company say I need a 20KW generator.
It's still interesting in the huge price difference.
Don't be like my neighbor... As the rest of the neighborhood shivers in the dark, we see their house fully lit up, the decorative flood lights illuminating the exterior, water vapor coming from the furnace chimney... And then I see them drive down the street returning home! All that heat and light when they weren't even home!
We have a 4,000 watt portable generator to run the fridge, freezer, sump pump, and some lights. I can disconnect the gas furnace from the house power and pigtail it to the generator if it's an extended outage in the winter. I know this isn't what you're looking for, but it's proof that you don't need to run the entire house.
We have a 4,000 watt portable generator to run the fridge, freezer, sump pump, and some lights. I can disconnect the gas furnace from the house power and pigtail it to the generator if it's an extended outage in the winter. I know this isn't what you're looking for, but it's proof that you don't need to run the entire house.
While I understand the getting old part but being prepared doesn't mean getting gas when the roads are icy.
The price difference is in the higher quality engine and alternator in the 24k.
AMEN! Still I gotta work on the "weakest" link.
Many people are like that no conservation of utilities. All lights on for the whole house, heat or Ac cranked up depending on time of year. They just pay the bills and don't complain. I'm the exact opposite, turn off lights and tvs and everything else when not in use. I make Improvements to save on energy costs.
You can only worry about your own business and nobody else.
How big is your propane tank?
I think the 20K unit will burn about 75 gallons a day under load.
I think the 20K unit will burn about 75 gallons a day under load.
We run entire house with 5 heatpumps (26 SEER), pool pump, 3 refrigerators on just 2600 watts of power. Since all appliances are Direct Current (as opposed to Alternating Current) and 240v there is no startup surge power demand as they slowly ramp up speed until setpoint and vary depending on demand. Converted years ago this way to be able to run for weeks on inverter generator (honda eu7000).
Also, we have a conventional water heater but installed a switch to change it from 240v to 120v and power use drops from 4500watts to 1125watts. Obviously, during an extended power outage we don't run oven, all stove top burners (induction) or max cooling or heating.
Have experienced 3 week total outages and it was no drama with this setup.
Make sure you heed JohnnyG's comment and henni's comment about considering motor startup surge.
All that I can add is that based on the excellent personal experience installing an industrial Kohler 17kw on my workplace greenhouses, they are one of the premier generator companies and I am pleased with the overall quality, with excellent availability of parts and support. Cummins (Onan) should be similar. Ours is set up to only run the essential minimum.
All that I can add is that based on the excellent personal experience installing an industrial Kohler 17kw on my workplace greenhouses, they are one of the premier generator companies and I am pleased with the overall quality, with excellent availability of parts and support. Cummins (Onan) should be similar. Ours is set up to only run the essential minimum.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
Sounds like VFD … surprised a lightning storm has not killed them … you must have suppression for that ?
How much amps do you get from the power company? I get 40A @ 230V, so even a 10kW generator would let me run everything I can run from the mains. And even a 5kW would let me run everything I'd want to run, fridge, freezer, lights, furnace(oil), washer and after that dryer. and tv of course.
Ideally I'd get a water cooled one and plumb it into the heating circuit, so I can recuperate that aswell.
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
So they have an auto start generator and the lights are on photocells. Low temps, power outage, not home is exactly why you'd have a home generator. Should they disable it every time they leave? I'd try to be like them.... prepared.
I would imagine that when some (if not many) start off wanting to buy a whole house generator that their intent is to have a genny that kicks on when the utility company juice quits and they will be able to continue on with the genny and do everything they can do with the utility company's unlimited juice.
Even if the contractor explains that the smaller generator will allow you to do what you need, but not everything all at once I would bet many purchasers don't really understand and when they are unable to run everything at once when the power quits are quick to call up the contractor complaining and threatening to sue. Good contractors who have sufficient business would rather deal with customers that are willing to pay for more than they really need.
Even if the contractor explains that the smaller generator will allow you to do what you need, but not everything all at once I would bet many purchasers don't really understand and when they are unable to run everything at once when the power quits are quick to call up the contractor complaining and threatening to sue. Good contractors who have sufficient business would rather deal with customers that are willing to pay for more than they really need.
When you look at the damage that freezing pipes could cost of your house floods, it's almost a no brainer. I'd hate to be in TX right now with all the blzckouts etc
So what? i dont see aproblem with that. They want to keep their house warm and lit from the generator, what does it matter?
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