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Started By
Message
Best Standby Whole Home Generator?
Posted on 8/31/12 at 7:44 am
Posted on 8/31/12 at 7:44 am
I'm looking into getting a 20kW or so standby natural gas generator. I've heard good things about Generac and Kohler.
Any OB opinions/suggestions? TIA.
Any OB opinions/suggestions? TIA.
16
Posted on 8/31/12 at 7:49 am to Ziggy
I'm in the process of getting bids to build a house. In my plans is a natural gas whole house gen. I didn't specify a brand but generac keeps getting mentioned.
Posted on 8/31/12 at 8:06 am to Ziggy
Both units are good, also take a look at Cummins Onan Residential. You can't go wrong with any of these, just figure out which one has the best price and go with it.
FYI, I would go with the one that has the closest dealer to your location. Good customer support is pretty vital.
FYI, I would go with the one that has the closest dealer to your location. Good customer support is pretty vital.
This post was edited on 8/31/12 at 8:09 am
Posted on 8/31/12 at 8:09 am to msu202020
Are any of the brands quieter than the others?
I've heard Kohler and Onan have much more expensive replacement parts than brands like Generac.
I've heard Kohler and Onan have much more expensive replacement parts than brands like Generac.
Posted on 8/31/12 at 8:14 am to msu202020
quote:
Good customer support is pretty vital.
My friend is the certified generac guy in our area which is the middle of the state and I would tell you to use them for sure if you were local. You need to talk to people with both and find out specifics about their service.
Posted on 8/31/12 at 8:18 am to Langston
Where are you located?
Posted on 8/31/12 at 8:41 am to Ziggy
Posted on 8/31/12 at 8:51 am to Ziggy
quote:
standby natural gas generator
Does anybody have any experience with the amount of fuel these things use?
I've heard that some people are shocked when they get their gas bill after having run these things for 4 or 5 days.
Posted on 8/31/12 at 8:52 am to poule deau
I've heard of $500 natural gas bills for a week of running one
Posted on 8/31/12 at 8:55 am to Ziggy
alexandria
Posted on 8/31/12 at 8:56 am to meauxjeaux2
So what I heard was close.
After Gustav/Ike I heard some people had close to $1,000 gas bills after being on generator power for 7-10 days.
I don't exactly remember what the price for nat gas was in 08 vs. now.
I know it is relatively cheap now.
After Gustav/Ike I heard some people had close to $1,000 gas bills after being on generator power for 7-10 days.
I don't exactly remember what the price for nat gas was in 08 vs. now.
I know it is relatively cheap now.
Posted on 8/31/12 at 8:57 am to poule deau
I can't give you a number off the top of my head but I'll give you a recommendation: Do your homework before running a gas line. I know a few people that ran their own and didn't use large enough pipe so they can't get the minimum flow.
It may also be a good idea to upsize the unit a little bit so it's not running at full load. The upfront cost may be less than 1 week running it at 90% over a larger unit at 60%.
It may also be a good idea to upsize the unit a little bit so it's not running at full load. The upfront cost may be less than 1 week running it at 90% over a larger unit at 60%.
Posted on 8/31/12 at 9:00 am to poule deau
its not cheap but if you are dropping over 10K on a home generator than you really shouldn't be shocked when you get the bill.
Between the cost of fuel for a generator and standing in long lines for fuel, and paying a lower elctric bill for the time you aren't on the grid..its probably not much more money to be in complete comfort.
Between the cost of fuel for a generator and standing in long lines for fuel, and paying a lower elctric bill for the time you aren't on the grid..its probably not much more money to be in complete comfort.
Posted on 8/31/12 at 9:08 am to Ziggy
watch out for dirt daubers
Posted on 8/31/12 at 9:08 am to meauxjeaux2
Natural gas is a lot cheaper than a couple of years ago. With that being said I have no idea...
Posted on 8/31/12 at 9:15 am to wickowick
Its a huge difference in your bill depending if its run on propane or natural gas. Know people with both and propane can use up to $100 a day vs natural gas around $30 a day.
Posted on 8/31/12 at 9:15 am to TexasTiger
quote:
Between the cost of fuel for a generator and standing in long lines for fuel, and paying a lower elctric bill for the time you aren't on the grid..its probably not much more money to be in complete comfort.
I understand but operating cost is another factor in the equation to consider.
Also, my FIL just so happened to install one of these about 2 weeks before the storm. I don't know what his final cost was yet, but he only paid about $4,500 for the generator itself. A Generac 17 kw with the fiberglass enclosure.
ETA: not fiberglass enclosure but aluminum
This post was edited on 8/31/12 at 9:26 am
Posted on 8/31/12 at 10:03 am to Ziggy
quote:
Are any of the brands quieter than the others?
No, the all run about 65 db loaded at 23'.
Posted on 8/31/12 at 10:06 am to poule deau
quote:
Does anybody have any experience with the amount of fuel these things use?
Between 200-300 cu/ft of natural gas per hour depending on how much the generator is loaded.
Posted on 8/31/12 at 10:10 am to msu202020
about to put in a 70kw whole home gen. Onan Brand. Really good product. that bundled with the automatic transfer switch is $23,000 before installation! 
:wha: 
:wha: 
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