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new construction standby generator question
Posted on 2/22/21 at 11:20 am
Posted on 2/22/21 at 11:20 am
Hi all. We are about to begin building a house. We do not have natural gas so I have to get propane on the property. We are also going to be on a well which requires electricity. My plan is to install a standby generator when we build - probably a Cummins or a Kohler - depending on what local companies have and service.
My online research suggests that a 1000 gallon propane tank would run a 20kw generator for about a week. I'm not sure what size propane tank we will ultimately have, but there will be gas run to the fireplace, water heater, and the range as well. It seems like that could pose a problem if we were without power for 2-3 weeks. Do any of y'all have experience with LP standby generators?
Couple questions:
1. Have any of you dealt with gas companies during storms? Do they generally get up and running pretty quickly?
2. Do you think it would be a good idea to have a separate tank entirely for the generator? I.E. one tank for my appliances and general home needs, and an independent tank for the generator. If so, what size would y'all recommend? Ideally the generator tank would require filling much less frequently.
My online research suggests that a 1000 gallon propane tank would run a 20kw generator for about a week. I'm not sure what size propane tank we will ultimately have, but there will be gas run to the fireplace, water heater, and the range as well. It seems like that could pose a problem if we were without power for 2-3 weeks. Do any of y'all have experience with LP standby generators?
Couple questions:
1. Have any of you dealt with gas companies during storms? Do they generally get up and running pretty quickly?
2. Do you think it would be a good idea to have a separate tank entirely for the generator? I.E. one tank for my appliances and general home needs, and an independent tank for the generator. If so, what size would y'all recommend? Ideally the generator tank would require filling much less frequently.
3
Posted on 2/22/21 at 11:39 am to bluemoons
quote:
Do you think it would be a good idea to have a separate tank entirely for the generator?
What purpose would this serve? IMO it would just mean you’d have to manage two tanks instead of one unless I’m missing something.
Posted on 2/22/21 at 11:45 am to bluemoons
(no message)
This post was edited on 10/26/22 at 11:40 am
Posted on 2/22/21 at 12:14 pm to footballdude
quote:
Their tank is big enough to get them through a hurricane but was not big enough to get them through this freeze.
This is assuming they had full tanks during each event.
Like anything else generator management is in order during times like that. I don’t run everything all the time-I run my household probably halfway and it’s comfortable. Upstairs AC is off during day and when we go up to sleep it is turned on an hour before and downstairs is turned off for the night. Etc...
Having said that most propane companies are out and about rather quickly after storm events that I’ve seen. Home propane availability is better than say a 5 gal bottle from Home Depot.
But if I’m depending exclusively on propane from the start I’m using a 1000 gallon and if it is buried then visibility shouldn’t be an issue. Plus just in general it means that much less time and effort you have to deal with having it refilled.
Posted on 2/22/21 at 12:25 pm to bluemoons
Don't even bother. You'll spend all that money on a standby generator and won't lose power for 20 years. 
Posted on 2/22/21 at 12:56 pm to MikeBRLA
quote:
What purpose would this serve? IMO it would just mean you’d have to manage two tanks instead of one unless I’m missing something
I guess in my head it makes sense in that I would have one tank specifically for the generator that I wouldn’t ever have to worry about regularly filling, except for prior to storm season, and another for household appliances. I feel like with the household appliances drawing from the same tank as the generator, I may run the risk of it running down too quickly and not being able to refill during an extended power outage.
This post was edited on 2/22/21 at 2:03 pm
Posted on 2/22/21 at 1:18 pm to TDsngumbo
(no message)
This post was edited on 10/26/22 at 11:39 am
Posted on 2/22/21 at 2:29 pm to footballdude
Diesel is in most cases going to be more accessible both pros and cons to each fuel type you would still need a good size fuel tank and if you needed fuel you could go get it but you need a truck and a tank and go every few days but untaxed dyed is cheaper than dot fuel maybe look at getting a tank for diesel. SHTF you can go get 20-30 gallons in a mini van if you needed to propane nope.
Posted on 2/22/21 at 3:57 pm to MikeBRLA
quote:
What purpose would this serve? IMO it would just mean you’d have to manage two tanks instead of one unless I’m missing something.
well costs could be potential factor with a hung singular tank vs two smaller size tanks.
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