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Started By
Message
nat. gas generator for house
Posted on 8/29/17 at 3:22 pm
Posted on 8/29/17 at 3:22 pm
who do you recommend in the greater BR area for sales/install/svc.? Any specific mfg you think is absolute garbage and wouldn't buy?
4
Posted on 8/29/17 at 3:34 pm to tigerinthebueche
just remember, its all for not if your house is flooded.
Posted on 8/29/17 at 3:48 pm to Chad504boy
Naught
Posted on 8/29/17 at 4:32 pm to tigerinthebueche
Just out of curiosity, does natural gas lines never go down during a natural disaster? Can you have a back up supply of natural gas in a tank at your house? I honestly don't know, I just personally would not want to rely on someone else's supply in the times of a disaster situation where you need a generator.
Posted on 8/29/17 at 4:33 pm to adhd
I have a Naught and they're actually not that bad.
I'm 65 and have been through several hurricanes on the Gulf Coast, starting with Audrey that devastated Cameron in 1957. We lived in Lake Charles and never lost natural gas. Neighbors came to our house to cook something. An earthquake is about the only thing that gets natural gas. Unless you are in the area of greatest devastation, probably will be good.
I'm 65 and have been through several hurricanes on the Gulf Coast, starting with Audrey that devastated Cameron in 1957. We lived in Lake Charles and never lost natural gas. Neighbors came to our house to cook something. An earthquake is about the only thing that gets natural gas. Unless you are in the area of greatest devastation, probably will be good.
This post was edited on 8/29/17 at 4:40 pm
Posted on 8/29/17 at 5:38 pm to Tigerhead
quote:
An earthquake is about the only thing that gets natural gas.
A tree uprooted by wind from a hurricane or tornado will take out a gas line.
Posted on 8/29/17 at 5:49 pm to tigerinthebueche
Do not buy a Generac. The fail often. I had an experience in Spring TX tell me that many fail before they are really needed for a power outage. I did a lot of research. Kohler and Cummings (Onan) are the 2 best. If you expect to need it to run an extended amount of time consider getting a liquid cooled engine version vs the regular air cooled. They are more expensive but worth it if you can afford it.
Posted on 8/29/17 at 5:51 pm to weadjust
Piss poor planning if your gas line was buried close enough to a tree to do that.
As for a NG generator, been trying to convince my folks to get one for years. They lose power if a mouse farts in the vicinity of whatever lines feed their neighborhood. They make versions now that are dual-fuel capable, go from your house NG line to a propane cylinder with a switch and hooking up the tank.
As for a NG generator, been trying to convince my folks to get one for years. They lose power if a mouse farts in the vicinity of whatever lines feed their neighborhood. They make versions now that are dual-fuel capable, go from your house NG line to a propane cylinder with a switch and hooking up the tank.
Posted on 8/29/17 at 5:54 pm to cajuncarguy
quote:
Do not buy a Generac. The fail often. I had an experience in Spring TX tell me that many fail before they are really needed for a power outage.
Details?
Posted on 8/29/17 at 7:12 pm to Clames
quote:
Piss poor planning if your gas line was buried close enough to a tree to do that.
My problem was with the tree root ball taking out the main Atmos Gas Co. line along the street after a tornado in 2013. My gas line was fine except it had no gas
Posted on 8/29/17 at 8:08 pm to weadjust
quote:
A tree uprooted by wind from a hurricane or tornado will take out a gas line.
Valid point, but this would be a rare event.
I don't know how long the gas companies have been using plastic pipe, but that stuff is awesome. I had a neighbor punch a hole in his gas line with a sharp shooter. The gas company came out, dug up the line, put a C-clamp looking device on the pipe to stop the flow and repaired the line. Whole operation took less than 30 minutes. They don't fool around when they hear they have gas escaping in a neighborhood.
If you calculate the cost of the gas to run say a 22KW gen unit for 24 hrs, it's about the same price as a less expensive hotel room. But you get to stay home, be cool, keep freezers running, cook, etc., etc..
Bottom line, if you feel certain you won't flood out of your home, and you plan on being in the home for a good while, good investment. But if you live in an area where mandatory evacuations are a high probability, don't bother.
Granted, the initial investment will buy you a very nice vacation away from the storm.
Posted on 8/29/17 at 10:06 pm to Tigerhead
I live several hours away from BR so I won't recommend an installer but can give you a little info. to help you make an informed decision.
Typically generators will run at one of two rpm’s to supply the rated watts, 1800 and 3600. Usually 22KW and below are air cooled and above 22KW are water cooled. Most experts will tell you the 1800rpm generator will be more expensive but should last a lot longer and a 1800rpm water cooled even longer but again more expensive.
For most generators the stated KW rating is while using propane as the fuel. The same generator running on NG will have a 5-10% less KW rating. Cummings is one of the few generators that the stated KW rating is for NG.
While calculating a generator size based on number of home appliances is usually the norm, the correct way to size it is to do a load test on the electrical line feeding the house while turning on all the appliances/equipment one at a time. The reading is in amps and can be used to size the generator.
The typical NG meter supplying gas to the home is usually a low volume one. Generators may require more volume than it can supply so often a higher volume meter is necessary with additional piping done.
If your decision is based on cost then Generic
If your decision is based on reliability the Cummings.
Typically generators will run at one of two rpm’s to supply the rated watts, 1800 and 3600. Usually 22KW and below are air cooled and above 22KW are water cooled. Most experts will tell you the 1800rpm generator will be more expensive but should last a lot longer and a 1800rpm water cooled even longer but again more expensive.
For most generators the stated KW rating is while using propane as the fuel. The same generator running on NG will have a 5-10% less KW rating. Cummings is one of the few generators that the stated KW rating is for NG.
While calculating a generator size based on number of home appliances is usually the norm, the correct way to size it is to do a load test on the electrical line feeding the house while turning on all the appliances/equipment one at a time. The reading is in amps and can be used to size the generator.
The typical NG meter supplying gas to the home is usually a low volume one. Generators may require more volume than it can supply so often a higher volume meter is necessary with additional piping done.
If your decision is based on cost then Generic
If your decision is based on reliability the Cummings.
This post was edited on 8/31/17 at 11:44 am
Posted on 8/30/17 at 3:50 am to rodnreel
Get a Generac from HMC in Prairieville. Excellent people to do business with.
Posted on 8/30/17 at 5:59 am to Popths
I have had a 22kw water cooled generac for 12 years now.... nock on wood it's been trouble free. We live in the country at the end of a power run so we loose power without a natural disaster. It runs the whole house and I have been very pleased. If I had to do it over again I might have bought a hair bigger than the 22kW but in actuality it runs two a/c units, two water heaters, washer, dryer and dishwasher along with lights and such without issue.
Posted on 8/30/17 at 9:03 am to Popths
Out of curiousity (I'm building and seriously considering putting one in during construction) what's a generator cost from them?
Posted on 8/30/17 at 9:55 am to Clames
quote:
Piss poor planning if your gas line was buried close enough to a tree to do that.
Given that was historically insane amounts of rain, but look at all the roads and wash outs from Harvey. Same with Katrina. Just seems likely to me to have a major storm like that take out a line no matter what kind.
Personally if that's why I was getting a generator, I'd have one with some back up fuel in a tank on site.
Posted on 8/30/17 at 10:41 am to tigerinthebueche
quote:I have an air-cooled Kohler (18-19 kw ??). It was installed by GenPro (located in Central or Zachary).
who do you recommend in the greater BR area for sales/install/svc.? Any specific mfg you think is absolute garbage and wouldn't buy?
Some people have said to avoid the Generacs. The guy who installed mine said the same thing. He said he could install any brand, but he strongly recommended the Kohler and seemed to hate Generacs.
At the time mine was installed (prior to Hurricane Gustav) in 2008, Kohler offered 5 year warranty in residential units. Not sure if they still do. In the 9 years we've had it we have had two problems withe the transfer switch circuits and one with a fuel solenoid on the engine. All were covered under warranty except for the solenoid (warranty had expired).
We also have a water-cooled Kohler (35 kw) at my office. Also bought from GenPro. No trouble with it that I can recall.
I have been told that the Generacs are better now than they used to be. I have no way of knowing -- but I seem to recall that they now offer an extended warranty (it was one year when I looked at them 9 years ago).
As far as gas service reliability -- it'll be a lot more reliable than electrical power. I have never seen natural gas outage in BR. As Clames has pointed out, you should look at the routing of the gas distribution line and make sure no trees are close by. You never see trees in pipeline R/W's -- for a reason.
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