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re: Stand-by Generator for home. Worth it?
Posted on 5/29/26 at 11:47 am to hassan whiteside
Posted on 5/29/26 at 11:47 am to hassan whiteside
Several things to consider, first is fuel. if running a NG system then check with gas company about capacity. What most people don't realize is that if everyone on the street has a ng generator then after the storm volume may decrease. Second is to size properly, you can do this by getting the peak demand on your meter. Third is the transfer switch, most people who have issues is the transfer switch causing it.
1
Posted on 5/29/26 at 11:52 am to hassan whiteside
It really is worth it if you live in a place with regular long term power outages. In NW GA in my lifetime we have only had 2 or 3 outages in the last 50+ years that lasted more than a few hours. That is what keeps me from pulling the trigger.
Posted on 5/29/26 at 11:57 am to Ingeniero
quote:i did this too and have a natural gas generator. Cost a fraction of whole home and I can run my central a/c & refrigerator. I only have a 1500 sqft home.
Instead of a stand-by generator, I had an electrician wire me up with an interlock. It's not as convenient but I can hook up the generator I already have and run whichever breakers I need.
Posted on 5/29/26 at 11:59 am to ManyTiger
quote:
Realistically your generator will only be used for an extended time a couple of times a year.
We use a portable, have lost electricity for extended periods of time (less than a week) three times in 20 years:
Gustav;
2016 Flood;
Ida
For me, I can’t justify the cost.
Posted on 5/29/26 at 12:00 pm to Thewingnut323
quote:if I lived in a big subdivision with 100s of houses all running on municipal NG I wouldn’t do it…better off with gas or diesel. But I don’t, and I’m on 500gals of propane. Great peace of mind
if running a NG system then check with gas company about capacity.
Posted on 5/29/26 at 12:02 pm to jbgleason
quote:
I thought, "that generator just paid for itself." I repeated that thought daily over the next two weeks until I got power back.
This is only true if its in working order and you have a consistent fuel supply.
I wouldn't assume in a coastal hurricane situation at least that gasoline will be readily available so if thats the use case you need a tank or a natural gas unit with a dedicated connection.
Posted on 5/29/26 at 12:05 pm to Sl0thstronautEsq
quote:
I’m surprised they're not more prevalent in the South.
It has become a staple of middle class living in extreme south Louisiana like up and down the “Bayou.”
Especially after Ida.
Ironically enough they became so common place that they overwhelm the natural gas infrastructure when something does happen, sending the user back to where they started.
Posted on 5/29/26 at 12:12 pm to hassan whiteside
I bought one for my mother's house. I won't do iit again. The electronics in the transfer switch got fried and she wouldn't pay to fix it and ants took over the generator. Now it is useless. She couldn't work it if I wasn't there anyway.
You are better off to get a manual transfer switch and a couple of portables. Get one tri-fuel that can run most of the house, and another high quality portable to back it up sized for just essentials, but make sure it has a minimal amount of electronics on it. Also, even with a battery minder on them, the batteries go dead. Make sure you can pull start it.
Get portable air conditioners. Move them from room to room if you have an extended outage.
You are better off to get a manual transfer switch and a couple of portables. Get one tri-fuel that can run most of the house, and another high quality portable to back it up sized for just essentials, but make sure it has a minimal amount of electronics on it. Also, even with a battery minder on them, the batteries go dead. Make sure you can pull start it.
Get portable air conditioners. Move them from room to room if you have an extended outage.
Posted on 5/29/26 at 12:19 pm to hassan whiteside
If you can swing it, 1800 RPM water cooled unit. The one at this house is over 20 years old, 26 KW Natural Gas w/ a Ford 2.5L four cylinder, and knock on wood, we have had 0 major problems and only do yearly maintenance, and coolant/plugs/valve adjustments/brushes/etc. at the recommended hours.
Neighbors on both sides have the air cooled units, every outage sounds like they are both cutting their grass, and the service guys are there fixing something regularly. Only way I would get a 3600 air cooled unit is if we had infrequent short outages or if it was outside our budget.
We live in a very power outage prone area/one street neighborhood. We are usually low on the list to get service back since almost each house is fed from its own transformer. They will get the main lines back up but take forever to come reclose our transformer. It is better with the smart meters; we used to have to call about our individual transformer almost every outage.
Neighbors on both sides have the air cooled units, every outage sounds like they are both cutting their grass, and the service guys are there fixing something regularly. Only way I would get a 3600 air cooled unit is if we had infrequent short outages or if it was outside our budget.
We live in a very power outage prone area/one street neighborhood. We are usually low on the list to get service back since almost each house is fed from its own transformer. They will get the main lines back up but take forever to come reclose our transformer. It is better with the smart meters; we used to have to call about our individual transformer almost every outage.
Posted on 5/29/26 at 12:19 pm to hassan whiteside
Worth it? Not sure how you measure ROI but I view it as a luxury that I’m lucky enough to have. My neighborhood is terrible and I lose power all the damn time. My Kohler has run for 6 hours just in the past two weeks. It’s a luxury item that brings peace of mind IMO. I won’t lose a freezer full of meat again, and I’ll be comfortable when the power is out.
Posted on 5/29/26 at 12:21 pm to hassan whiteside
Pair of Powerwall 3s
Posted on 5/29/26 at 12:32 pm to hassan whiteside
Your location is a big factor. Does Hassan live in Saudi Arabia?
Posted on 5/29/26 at 12:39 pm to hassan whiteside
I bought mine about 2 years ago. I spent the extra money and went with a Kohler. Only time it’s ran is on Saturdays during its 30 min scheduled diagnostic. Kinda regretting it.
Posted on 5/29/26 at 12:43 pm to Codythetiger
Best of the best for this kind of thing.
Posted on 5/29/26 at 12:51 pm to hassan whiteside
I have a small portable one and we need it sparingly.
Even then, my regret is that I don't have a larger one.
(Enter joke here)
Even then, my regret is that I don't have a larger one.
(Enter joke here)
Posted on 5/29/26 at 12:54 pm to hassan whiteside
I think it depends on your living situation. If I was married and my daughters still lived at home, I'd have one. As it is, it's just me and the pups at the house, so we can rough it with a couple of window units for a few days if need be.
Posted on 5/29/26 at 12:54 pm to tide06
quote:
This is only true if its in working order and you have a consistent fuel supply.
I don’t know anyone with a gas or diesel whole home. Natural Gas is the only way to go.
Posted on 5/29/26 at 12:57 pm to jbgleason
quote:
I don’t know anyone with a gas or diesel whole home. Natural Gas is the only way to go.
Many people have the larger portable generators and some are gas only unless converted.
Another factor for coastal people is to ensure whatever you have is well elevated. A whole home generator that gets salt water on it isnt of much use and I see them here at the coast more than you would think sitting on pads.
Posted on 5/29/26 at 12:59 pm to hassan whiteside
Hell yes!
Posted on 5/29/26 at 1:00 pm to hassan whiteside
Absolutely
Go Kohler, you won’t be sorry
Go Kohler, you won’t be sorry
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