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Message
Would a home generator starve gas water heaters?
Posted on 8/31/21 at 6:57 pm
Posted on 8/31/21 at 6:57 pm
My 22kw home generator has been running for a couple days - just this evening I go to take a shower and the water is room temp at best. I have another water heater on the other side of the house - same issue. Could the generator be starving the water heaters of nat gas?
ETA: Probably better for the Home&Garden board. Admins could you please move it
ETA: Probably better for the Home&Garden board. Admins could you please move it
This post was edited on 8/31/21 at 10:18 pm
11
Posted on 8/31/21 at 6:59 pm to TigerTatorTots
Maybe the gas companies are dealing with storm-related issues and as a result pressure on the lines may be low?
Posted on 8/31/21 at 7:03 pm to TigerTatorTots
quote:TTT wins the first world problem of the day award
My 22kw home generator has been running for a couple days - just this evening I go to take a shower and the water is room temp at best. I have another water heater on the other side of the house - same issue
How’s Nolagirl doing
Posted on 8/31/21 at 7:09 pm to TigerTatorTots
I had to turn off our on demand hot water heater because it wasn’t getting enough gas to warm the water. Figured this out yesterday. I think it’s because our gas company is running low. Me and two neighbors have generators and they all go out the same exact time about 2 times a day. Error code says underspeed of something like that
Posted on 8/31/21 at 7:14 pm to deaconjones35
What company supplies y’all’s gas?
Posted on 8/31/21 at 7:15 pm to TigerTatorTots
No plumber, but if sized correctly I wouldn't think so.
Posted on 8/31/21 at 7:16 pm to TigerTatorTots
If the plumber sized the piping correctly…. No. But if the generator was added after the fact then you could have issues.
Posted on 8/31/21 at 7:18 pm to TigerTatorTots
quote:
My 22kw home generator has been running for a couple days
quote:
have another water heater on the other side of the house
quote:
the water is room temp at best.
I'm so sorry you're going through this.
Posted on 8/31/21 at 7:20 pm to TigerTatorTots
quote:
My 22kw home generator has been running for a couple days - just this evening I go to take a shower and the water is room temp at best. I have another water heater on the other side of the house - same issue. Could the generator be starving the water heaters of nat gas?
Yes, if the gas lines aren’t sized correctly.
If the generator was added to the house later, the gas lines need to be evaluated to make sure they are large enough for the new load. Adding additional gas appliances changes the load, which can easily change the required pipe sizing.
This post was edited on 8/31/21 at 7:28 pm
Posted on 8/31/21 at 7:25 pm to TigerTatorTots
Could be the gas company is experiencing low pressure (does happen in times of high use like freeze events in South LA).
More likely the existing gas regulator is not set for the right pressure any longer when using the genset. Part of the genset installation process involves verifying the gas pressure when in use. Often times the homeowner has to call the gas company and get a pressure regulator with a higher downstream pressure.
The gas pressure after the meter is very low in general (measured in oz's) and can be sensitive to large demand appliances like your genset.
More likely the existing gas regulator is not set for the right pressure any longer when using the genset. Part of the genset installation process involves verifying the gas pressure when in use. Often times the homeowner has to call the gas company and get a pressure regulator with a higher downstream pressure.
The gas pressure after the meter is very low in general (measured in oz's) and can be sensitive to large demand appliances like your genset.
Posted on 8/31/21 at 7:26 pm to tigeraddict
quote:
If the plumber sized the piping correctly…. No. But if the generator was added after the fact then you could have issues.
This, and possibly needing a hire pressure regulator at the gas meter.
Posted on 8/31/21 at 7:39 pm to TigerTatorTots
Proper way to install generator after the fact is to get gas company to install 2 psi or 5 psi meter/service. Then install a step down regulator for house and a separate gas feed and step down regulator for the generator, with the generator regulator at the generator.
Typically u want 1/4 PS(about 4.5”w.c.) for house and 1/2 psi(about 7-11” w.c.) for the generator as well.
In sizing gas lines, if off the same regulator then you look at largest fixture connection’s distance from regulator then the total BTU load for the regulator and look on the chart.
Typically u want 1/4 PS(about 4.5”w.c.) for house and 1/2 psi(about 7-11” w.c.) for the generator as well.
In sizing gas lines, if off the same regulator then you look at largest fixture connection’s distance from regulator then the total BTU load for the regulator and look on the chart.
Posted on 8/31/21 at 7:40 pm to TigerTatorTots
I’ve read several posts on here in the past about adding whole house generators and I have been considering adding a 2kW, but I remember in a coupe of those posts it was mentioned that if you add a natural gas generator to a house supply that includes water heaters, fireplaces, etc., the generator will take away from the other supplies. It was recommended that a generator have its own supply header and I think I remember them recommending 3/4” to 1” supply piping.
Posted on 8/31/21 at 7:43 pm to tigeraddict
quote:
If the plumber sized the piping correctly…. No.
The plumber could have put the right size in but if the service line in from the main is too small, kinked, etc then you’ll need the utility to come upgrade it. Too many of them get cheap and run small service lines.
Posted on 8/31/21 at 8:40 pm to billjamin
quote:
The plumber could have put the right size in but if the service line in from the main is too small, kinked, etc then you’ll need the utility to come upgrade it. Too many of them get cheap and run small service lines.
A good plumber would never jus add a gas appliance edprcislly a large one without checking the entire load to make sure all the piping is of sufficient size. Adding a decorative gas light or a log lighter is not a big deal, but adding a large generator is.
Posted on 8/31/21 at 9:10 pm to deaconjones35
Yea I had the underspend error Monday morning. Been fine since then. Half my neighborhood has home generators so I imagine the gas supply is stretched
Posted on 8/31/21 at 9:11 pm to Ikneauxnuffin
quote:atmos
What company supplies y’all’s gas?
Posted on 8/31/21 at 9:12 pm to tigeraddict
quote:
If the plumber sized the piping correctly…. No. But if the generator was added after the fact then you could have issues.
House was built in 2005 and generator was installed in 2020 so sizing could be the issue
Posted on 8/31/21 at 9:25 pm to billjamin
quote:
The plumber could have put the right size in but if the service line in from the main is too small, kinked, etc then you’ll need the utility to come upgrade it. Too many of them get cheap and run small service lines.
The service line from the utility is high pressure. Hence why you have a regulator after your meter.
It is very unlikely a high pressure service line is undersized in a residential application.
Posted on 8/31/21 at 9:42 pm to TigerTatorTots
Did you check the pilot?
Maybe when you initially lost power and your generator line bled itself the pilot became weak and faded out.
You may just have to relight the pilot.
Maybe when you initially lost power and your generator line bled itself the pilot became weak and faded out.
You may just have to relight the pilot.
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