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Started By
Message
New Construction Whole Home Generator
Posted on 8/29/26 at 12:54 am
Posted on 8/29/26 at 12:54 am
I am nearing completion on my 2nd self home build that I subbed out everything myself. Last home had Generac automatic transfer switch with slab poured and gas routed to for whole home generator but never installed one before selling. I have Generac transfer switch with slab poured and gas routed for whole home generator on this home as well… 2,520 living, 4 bed/3bath, what size and brands do y’all recommend?
This post was edited on 8/29/26 at 12:57 am
11
Posted on 8/29/26 at 6:00 am to 985_Tiger
Get the 22 kw, if you have 2 HVAC units.
Posted on 8/29/26 at 7:40 am to 985_Tiger
My Kohler has been good to me. 20kW. I’m 3400 sq ft with 2 ACs. I never gets close to peak power, always less than 50%. I did put soft starts on my ACs but more for compressor life.
I was set on liquid cooled, but then the next year prices spiked and now you can buy two air cooled for the price of a liquid cooled. So I’ll just do a swap when this one eventually dies.
I was set on liquid cooled, but then the next year prices spiked and now you can buy two air cooled for the price of a liquid cooled. So I’ll just do a swap when this one eventually dies.
Posted on 8/29/26 at 7:44 am to 985_Tiger
If you plan on running the furnace, get the Generac 26kw
Posted on 8/29/26 at 9:14 am to America250
Liquid cooled running at 1800rpm. Most generators are rated running on propane. if running on NG KW will be 10-15% less. Several years ago cummings was rated using NG, don't know if it is still that way.
Best way to size is to turn on everything you want the generator to power and measure the amps, then size generator.
Best way to size is to turn on everything you want the generator to power and measure the amps, then size generator.
This post was edited on 8/29/26 at 9:19 am
Posted on 8/29/26 at 10:04 am to 985_Tiger
Kohler liquid cooled 24 kw. The Cummins liquid cooled units are also great. If you aren't in an area prone to extended power outages during hurricane season, air cooled is likely fine. I'd recommend a Cummins if going air cooled. Quieter units and good quality.
Posted on 8/29/26 at 10:23 am to 985_Tiger
quote:
I have Generac transfer switch with slab poured and gas routed for whole home generator on this home as well… 2,520 living, 4 bed/3bath, what size and brands do y’all recommend?
There’s not nearly enough info to give you a size recommendation.
Since you have the Generac transfer switch, not sure if you lose any integration/features when you go with a different brand. I’m sure it’ll work, but not sure if there’s any integration/control/communication features that would be brand specific.
Do you have gas appliances? Gas heat or electric heat? Do you have a pool? What size AC unit(s)?
I have a 12 kW portable that I hook up to my house and can manage anything I need really. It can’t run my “entire house” simultaneously, but it’ll run 6T of AC and all my lights, fridges, etc. I have to manage the oven usage and can’t run any pool pumps, but it gets me by.
All that to say, I doubt you’ll need a 22 or 25 kW unit unless you have some special considerations or get a really good deal.
Posted on 8/29/26 at 9:42 pm to 985_Tiger
Kohler 20KW and install a microair easy start on your AC
This post was edited on 8/29/26 at 9:47 pm
Posted on 8/30/26 at 9:38 am to 985_Tiger
I would go Kohler or Cummins liquid-cooled, so much quiter and with better made cabinets than non-commercial Generac. Biggest failure point of Generacs is how they package the important stuff within the cabinet, like easy access to insects and ants is a feature to them.
Posted on 8/30/26 at 10:11 am to Clames
Spraying around the cabinet with bifenthrin solves that problem
Posted on 8/30/26 at 1:24 pm to 985_Tiger
Briggs and Stratton dealer here. Briggs has a great warranty. Size depends on your big electrical loads. You can also use load shed modules to run a smaller unit. Email me at homeimpbydl@gmail.com. I can do a calculation for you and provide some options. I have a similar size house. Only loads to manage are a 5 ton ac and electric dryer. I did the smallest unit, a 13kW and put a soft start on my ac, however the substation is at the front of my hood so I don’t plan on being out for a long time. An 18 or 22 would probably be fine it just depends on your loads. With my 5 ton ac running I’m using 48 percent of the capacity. I cannot turn my dryer on with the ac running.
You can pair the Briggs and its load shed modules with the Generac switch. They make adapters.
You can pair the Briggs and its load shed modules with the Generac switch. They make adapters.
This post was edited on 8/30/26 at 1:28 pm
Posted on 8/30/26 at 1:52 pm to 985_Tiger
I use the 26kW Generac on my 2800 sq ft house. It’s a little over sized but it s not working hard and my fuel consumption is lower than my neither with the 22kW
Posted on 8/30/26 at 3:05 pm to dillpickleLSU
quote:
Briggs and Stratton dealer here. Briggs has a great warranty. Size depends on your big electrical loads.
I was told the B&S has the same KW output with either NG or LP. Is that true?
Soft start kits on A/C is a no brainer.
Posted on 8/30/26 at 3:09 pm to rltiger
quote:
B&S has the same KW output with either NG or LP. Is that true?
Don’t quote me on the models but yes this is true. I believe it’s for the 18, 22 and 26kW…my 13 does not, it puts out 11.5 on NG
I just checked my pricing sheet…it’s the 18 and 22kw…they are rated the same on either fuel
This post was edited on 8/30/26 at 3:16 pm
Posted on 9/1/26 at 9:51 am to 985_Tiger
Has anybody had experience with those whole house backup battery systems (i.e. Anker Solix)?
Great concept if it works.
Use solar or portable generator an hour a day to recharge batteries in an outage. Sized up to 30kw….
Great concept if it works.
Use solar or portable generator an hour a day to recharge batteries in an outage. Sized up to 30kw….
Posted on 9/1/26 at 10:45 am to Klondikekajun
Briggs and Stratton sells those as well in 6/13/19 kWH and I think you can combine them to make more total kWH
Posted on 9/1/26 at 2:24 pm to 985_Tiger
If you have an variable speed inverter HVAC system you won't need to consider this, but if you have dual speed or single speed get a soft starter on your compressor
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