Home Backup Power Generator

[wxsniss]

As this is the 3rd time this week / 5th time this year we’ve lost power in our neighborhood (powered by Eversource, outages all courtesy of low hanging wires and questionable pole infrastructure), I’m looking into a backup home generator 

Ideally connected to gas line and automatically turning on when power is out

Any recommendations?

I hear Kuhlman Electric ads for Generac all the time and seems good

I figured this forum would have tons of experience with severe / blizzards

TIA!

[cleetussnow]

Generac are the way to go. 

[Baroclinic Zone]

Are you looking to provide backup power for your entire home or just dedicated circuits that keep the critical stuff running?

ATS’s can get pricy if your looking for a whole house backup.

[wxsniss]

1 minute ago, Baroclinic Zone said:

Are you looking to provide backup power for your entire home or just dedicated circuits that keep the critical stuff running?

ATS’s can get pricy if you’re looking for a whole house backup.

Was thinking whole house ATS for simplicity

Kids in multiple rooms, refrigerators, hot water, internet… 

[Baroclinic Zone]

14 minutes ago, wxsniss said:

Was thinking whole house ATS for simplicity

Kids in multiple rooms, refrigerators, hot water, internet… 

You’ll need to install the ATS between your meter and power panel to do this. 
generac is the defacto king of generators. Kohler also is pretty big in the generator business, so they’re an option.

i would reach out to some local electricians and see what they say.

@butterfish55 installs generators.

i sent him a text 

 

 

[butterfish55]

I work for AC Power Solutions in SE MA. We install and service whole house Generac generators. I have also installed many Kohler generators as well. I don't have a preference for brand. But I would definitely recommend just doing the whole house and not dedicated circuits. It might be a little more expensive but it's way more convenient

[512high]

21 minutes ago, butterfish55 said:

I work for AC Power Solutions in SE MA. We install and service whole house Generac generators. I have also installed many Kohler generators as well. I don't have a preference for brand. But I would definitely recommend just doing the whole house and not dedicated circuits. It might be a little more expensive but it's way more convenient

I have a Kohler 22KW whole house generator (2013) no issues, has about 310 hrs. on it. I do annual service on it, have replaced the battery every 3-4 years.

[Brewbeer]

I'm thankful i live somewhere the power rarely goes out, and when it does it's rarely for more than an hour

the one exception was October 2011; 98 1/2 hours of no power with 3 kids under 8, fun times 

[wxsniss]

Thanks for the quick advice guys

I'll probably go with a Generac. I'm a little worried about footprint and available space closest to where our gas/electric intake and meters, but I'll get the consultation and see.

It's easy to lose motivation and keep kicking the can, but I guess worth at least seeing if logistically possible and getting a quote.

[Brewbeer]

What about whole house battery back-up?  @butterfish55 battery only installs a thing yet ?  seems like if outages are short, battery tech might be far enough along to consider.

[butterfish55]

2 hours ago, Brewbeer said:

What about whole house battery back-up?  @butterfish55 battery only installs a thing yet ?  seems like if outages are short, battery tech might be far enough along to consider.

I've installed a few battery (only) back-ups.  Believe it or not, Briggs and Stratton was the brand I installed.  They make battery back up modules for some reason.  Anyway, I don't think they are great for a stand alone system.  They are super expensive and obviously will run out if there is a long outage (more than a day or 2).  But, if your power company charges a higher rate during peak times (3-10 pm), you can program the transfer switch to allow you to use battery power during those times and then charge them with grid power overnight when it's cheaper.  So there's that...

If money was no option, the perfect system would be a combo of solar and battery.  The panels power your house and charge the batteries during the day and you run off battery power for the evenings/overnight.  Wouldn't use much grid power during spring/summer/fall.