OT: Whole house generator?

[horshack.sixpack]

Anybody have one? Pros/cons?

It seems that I lose power more often these days and I'm tired of it. I've told my wife the next time it inconveniences me I'm getting a generator. Of course my natural gas entry point is on the East side of my house and the power entry is on the West. Driveways one direction, retaining wall the other direction. I'm assuming that I'll just have to cut the driveway to get gas to the power entry side or bring in a second gas meter (or take gas through the attic from an existing manifold and poke a hole to get down the wall to the generator?).

Thoughts on brands or the issue of my gas and power being in crappy locations?

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

If there is a gas line in your attic, they may can work off of that. Best bet.

 

[YesIAmAPirate]

Somebody I work with just put one in on their new build. Said it ran about $15k. I can't justify the cost of adding one no more than my power goes out. I do have a 5k watt generator that I can use to run some things on if needed though

 

[Hot Rock]

I purchased a portable generator as I am moving when I retire in a year or so.

My CAR (Ioniq 5) stores 77.4 kwh that I can use to power the house as use much as 80% of that power and still have enough juice in car to go somewhere. I use about 700-1000kwh a month right now as I use natural gas to run water heater, cook and heat. I could get by on much less electrical power in an emergency situation no doubt. My CAR'S LIMITS of 15 amps should run most things as I don't heat with it. Problem, you have to run extension cords from car to house.

Dryer, blow dryer etc... may tax that system but that would be a bonus in an outage situation. I am looking to survive days to a couple weeks and not weeks on end and use the portable generator as needed as well. That should get me through a lot.

They make systems that allows an EV to plug into your house. After market systems are coming out now and are less costly. I saw one that allows 6 breakers to be connected. A small system like that may do me well since I don't have to heat with it. I have mini-splits and propane heater at the new place.

The F150 Ford Lightening house system costs about $10,000 when it first came out. When I move to my retirement place in a year or so, I plan on having something like that but I am waiting to see the best system on the market at that time. I think this will be all I need, I had been thinking propane generator but buying this portable one now was the way to go as I don't live there yet.

 

[Dawgbite]

My neighbor has a 15 kw Kohler. Kohler and Generac are the two biggies in whole house generators. I’ve considered it but I’ve got other options, we have an RV with a generator if AC is required . I do have a Honda 2000 that will run the refrigerator, freezer, and some lights. I’ve actually gone 7-8 days without power other than the little Honda during cold weather using a gas fireplace and a portable gas heater for heat. I just can’t justify the expense.

 

[patdog]

That’s a lot of expense for something you’ll rarely need. Going 24 hours without power is a pretty minor inconvenience. And you’re probably not going to be going any longer than that more than once every 10-20 years.

 

[thatsbaseball]

I hear they do add to home's value if you sell. True or false ?

 

[aTotal360]

I hear they do add to home's value if you sell. True or false ?

I sell a lot of houses with Generacs. I wouldn't say buyers will give you more money for it, but they certainly improve desirability. Especially for more rural properties.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

That’s a lot of expense for something you’ll rarely need. Going 24 hours without power is a pretty minor inconvenience. And you’re probably not going to be going any longer than that more than once every 10-20 years.

All depends on where you live. Theres some places near me that their power goes out with a stiff breeze.

 

[horshack.sixpack]

That’s a lot of expense for something you’ll rarely need. Going 24 hours without power is a pretty minor inconvenience. And you’re probably not going to be going any longer than that more than once every 10-20 years.

With my new moderation in drinking I should see a 1yr ROI***

 

[horshack.sixpack]

All depends on where you live. Theres some places near me that their power goes out with a stiff breeze.

Mine seems to have gotten worse over the years. I've been in the same house for 20+ years and the last 3 have severely tested my patience. I also have aging parents and in laws that live nearby, so in the case of anything that lasted for very long, it would be an easy place for them to land until it power was back on. So long as they keep their hair washing out of my kitchen sink...

 

[greenbean.sixpack]

If I was in my "forever" home I may consider it. Where i live now, in Flowood, the power rarely goes out and if it does it's a short duration. Even at my mom's house, who lives so far back in the woods she has to get sunshine pumped in, the power goes out rarely compared to 50 years ago.

Have you looked into solar?

 

[greenbean.sixpack]

it would be an easy place for them to land until it power was back on.

This is all the reason I need not to do it.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

With my new moderation in drinking I should see a 1yr ROI***

I am glad I am not the only one trying to moderate my alcohol intake.

 

[RopeDawg]

Generac.

 

[BrunswickDawg]

All depends on where you live. Theres some places near me that their power goes out with a stiff breeze.

Yep. I'm looking at this now. If you live on a coast like me, then it is a wise investment.
After Hurricane Helene, I went 9 days with no power. That's the 5th or 6th extended outage since 2016.
I just finished upgrading the electrical at my house while doing an addition to move my parents in to.
I had then add the hook up for the generator so we can come back and do it when it fits my budget better. Worst case, I can not plug in and keep the fridge running.

 

[maroonmadman]

Former home generator salesperson here. Depending upon size of house and what you want to run while on generator power will dictate generator size, for the average home 16 - 24 KW. Generator needs to be placed near gas meter, cheaper to run the power cable across the house than the gas line. Average cost between $10K to $16K. Cummins is the quieter of them all but they only go to 20KW for home units. Feel free to ask me any questions if you have them. I’m on vacation right now so expect delays in the answer.

 

[HulksStache]

I am glad I am not the only one trying to moderate my alcohol intake.

You are a state fan. Alcohol consumption increases during football season…

 

[horshack.sixpack]

If I was in my "forever" home I may consider it. Where i live now, in Flowood, the power rarely goes out and if it does it's a short duration. Even at my mom's house, who lives so far back in the woods she has to get sunshine pumped in, the power goes out rarely compared to 50 years ago.

Have you looked into solar?

I can't make myself want solar. I don't know of a place that I would want to have panels and I'm not sold on their longevity. I did consider running a long cable from some of DCD's farmland and setting up a wind farm at his place...

 

[horshack.sixpack]

Former home generator salesperson here. Depending upon size of house and what you want to run while on generator power will dictate generator size, for the average home 16 - 24 KW. Generator needs to be placed near gas meter, cheaper to run the power cable across the house than the gas line. Average cost between $10K to $16K. Cummins is the quieter of them all but they only go to 20KW for home units. Feel free to ask me any questions if you have them. I’m on vacation right now so expect delays in the answer.

I'm probably 2H25 of getting serious about purchase. I'll reach out then, if I get it past the finance committee.

 

[Motodawg]

I'm probably 2H25 of getting serious about purchase. I'll reach out then, if I get it past the finance committee.

Call me about that gas line when you do!

 

[horshack.sixpack]

Call me about that gas line when you do!

After I check your posting history to make sure that you aren't one of the many who would like to blow up my house!***

 

[basedawg]

Kohler is the way to go. I use to be in storm restoration business as a Logistics Manager.
mine is a 20KW and run everything in my house without any problems. I don't have natural gas so mine is propane driven.
I've had whole house gens since Katrina.
Just get it serviced every year if u get one.

 

[horshack.sixpack]

Kohler is the way to go. I use to be in storm restoration business as a Logistics Manager.
mine is a 20KW and run everything in my house without any problems. I don't have natural gas so mine is propane driven.
I've had whole house gens since Katrina.
Just get it serviced every year if u get one.

do you test quarterly or monthly or at all?

 

[patdog]

After I check your posting history to make sure that you aren't one of the many who would like to blow up my house!***

I've never blown up a house before. But it sounds like it might be fun. **

 

[basedawg]

do you test quarterly or monthly or at all?

It comes on once a week automatic and runs 20 minutes. It also has a battery recharging set up.

 

[The Peeper]

I've just pieced together a solution for most outages.
-For the typical one that lasts a few hours, I've got a Bluetti Portable Power Station (2,400 watts) that will run fans, tv, radio, computer, charge phones, most any small stuff for hours. I've got several 12volt LED's for lighting which keeps the draw low to better run more stuff. Bought it on Black Friday last year for $800ish. I can also tailgate with it, work on a fence at the farm, etc etc. Charge it up w/ solar panel, 12 volt car outlet, generator, etc
-I've got gas logs in a mother in a large extra bedroom for winter so worst case move into there and sleep w/ logs on. I've got instant hot water heater and gas stove/oven so we can always bathe and cook regardless.
-I've got a Honda 5500 watt generator. I got my electrician to put a 30amp plug on the outside of the house and have a short cord to run from the generator to the 30amp outlet outside. On the inside I have a commercial 4plex outlet connected to that outside 30 amp box. I can now run multiple cords from that 4plex box inside for whatever small stuff I may want to run including power strips off the 4plex if I want to run a lot of small stuff. This was a lot simpler and cheaper than buying one of those isolation switches to keep the generator from back feeding into the whole house panel and back into the grid.
Unless its a tornado or a week long ice storm this has been plenty to keep us comfortable enough in Starkville, not many hurricanes happen up here.......

 

[was21]

Anybody have one? Pros/cons?

It seems that I lose power more often these days and I'm tired of it. I've told my wife the next time it inconveniences me I'm getting a generator. Of course my natural gas entry point is on the East side of my house and the power entry is on the West. Driveways one direction, retaining wall the other direction. I'm assuming that I'll just have to cut the driveway to get gas to the power entry side or bring in a second gas meter (or take gas through the attic from an existing manifold and poke a hole to get down the wall to the generator?).

Thoughts on brands or the issue of my gas and power being in crappy locations?

Anybody have one? Pros/cons?

It seems that I lose power more often these days and I'm tired of it. I've told my wife the next time it inconveniences me I'm getting a generator. Of course my natural gas entry point is on the East side of my house and the power entry is on the West. Driveways one direction, retaining wall the other direction. I'm assuming that I'll just have to cut the driveway to get gas to the power entry side or bring in a second gas meter (or take gas through the attic from an existing manifold and poke a hole to get down the wall to the generator?).

Thoughts on brands or the issue of my gas and power being in crappy locations?

Misread the first word whole thought it was *****

 

[Walkthedawg]

Anybody have one? Pros/cons?

It seems that I lose power more often these days and I'm tired of it. I've told my wife the next time it inconveniences me I'm getting a generator. Of course my natural gas entry point is on the East side of my house and the power entry is on the West. Driveways one direction, retaining wall the other direction. I'm assuming that I'll just have to cut the driveway to get gas to the power entry side or bring in a second gas meter (or take gas through the attic from an existing manifold and poke a hole to get down the wall to the generator?).

Thoughts on brands or the issue of my gas and power being in crappy locations?

If you have gas appliances.. you can get a big, decently quiet, inverter generator to run a lot of stuff in the home. I know there are some that are 13 kw running wattage out there. That and a connection installed would be all you need at a cheaper price than a whole home.

you would just have to store the generator somewhere.

 

[DawgologyAgain]

I've just pieced together a solution for most outages.
-For the typical one that lasts a few hours, I've got a Bluetti Portable Power Station (2,400 watts) that will run fans, tv, radio, computer, charge phones, most any small stuff for hours. I've got several 12volt LED's for lighting which keeps the draw low to better run more stuff. Bought it on Black Friday last year for $800ish. I can also tailgate with it, work on a fence at the farm, etc etc. Charge it up w/ solar panel, 12 volt car outlet, generator, etc
-I've got gas logs in a mother in a large extra bedroom for winter so worst case move into there and sleep w/ logs on. I've got instant hot water heater and gas stove/oven so we can always bathe and cook regardless.
-I've got a Honda 5500 watt generator. I got my electrician to put a 30amp plug on the outside of the house and have a short cord to run from the generator to the 30amp outlet outside. On the inside I have a commercial 4plex outlet connected to that outside 30 amp box. I can now run multiple cords from that 4plex box inside for whatever small stuff I may want to run including power strips off the 4plex if I want to run a lot of small stuff. This was a lot simpler and cheaper than buying one of those isolation switches to keep the generator from back feeding into the whole house panel and back into the grid.
Unless its a tornado or a week long ice storm this has been plenty to keep us comfortable enough in Starkville, not many hurricanes happen up here.......

We got a tankless gas water heater and discovered that when we lost power it would not heat water...so the ignitor I guess is electric? How do you get around that?

 

[Dawgbite]

I can't make myself want solar. I don't know of a place that I would want to have panels and I'm not sold on their longevity. I did consider running a long cable from some of DCD's farmland and setting up a wind farm at his place...

Solar isn’t the answer. My neighbor decided to go off grid power wise. He’s got probably 3000 square feet of solar panel and 8 huge batteries. He can’t go more than 48 hours without sunshine. Did I mention that he has over a $100,000 in his setup? It’s not cost effective at least in Mississippi.

 

[PapaDawg]

We have had a 20 kw Kohler since 2017. We love ours. Do not regret the expense one bit. It runs everything we need including the pool. We can’t use both ovens, the AC, and the dryer at the same time, but that’s not a problem.
Our power goes out a lot in the Houston, TX area. At least 1 event a year over 24 hours. If you can afford it, they are a great investment.
Just like insurance, whole house generators are a waste of money, until you need it.

 

[The Peeper]

We got a tankless gas water heater and discovered that when we lost power it would not heat water...so the ignitor I guess is electric? How do you get around that?

My Bluetti power station is plenty to run it, it only has to run a small fan and the electronics inside it since the heater itself is gas. I had a plug put inside the closet its in so it plugs in instead of being hard wired so I can run it off the Bluetti or that 4 plex plug inside that we installed is about 20' away so I can run an extension cord to it too from the 4 plex if the Bluetti runs out of juice.

 

[HotMop]

Former home generator salesperson here. Depending upon size of house and what you want to run while on generator power will dictate generator size, for the average home 16 - 24 KW. Generator needs to be placed near gas meter, cheaper to run the power cable across the house than the gas line. Average cost between $10K to $16K. Cummins is the quieter of them all but they only go to 20KW for home units. Feel free to ask me any questions if you have them. I’m on vacation right now so expect delays in the answer.

What's your thoughts on the Briggs and Stratton generator? I spent 9 months consulting in their Auburn, AL facility but didn't spend much time on the generator side though I did work on the engine component side so I'm familiar with the motors.

 

[HotMop]

It comes on once a week automatic and runs 20 minutes. It also has a battery recharging set up.

Are you my neighbor, that dumb ***** has hers start up once a week on Tuesday at 6pm and it's loud as 17.

 

[basedawg]

Are you my neighbor, that dumb ***** has hers start up once a week on Tuesday at 6pm and it's loud as 17.

Nope, mine comes on around 8:30 am on Thursday. Very quite also.

 

[PooPopsBaldHead]

Former home generator salesperson here. Depending upon size of house and what you want to run while on generator power will dictate generator size, for the average home 16 - 24 KW. Generator needs to be placed near gas meter, cheaper to run the power cable across the house than the gas line. Average cost between $10K to $16K. Cummins is the quieter of them all but they only go to 20KW for home units. Feel free to ask me any questions if you have them. I’m on vacation right now so expect delays in the answer.

Did you do in home sales? If so, tell us a story about a hot chick or two that was ready for a discount...

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

When Katrina came thru, my cousin was without elec. for about 14 days. I asked why he could not run the fridge, and other stuff...,
because I knew had a good generator. Said he could not get gas.

 

[Dawghouse]

We got a tankless gas water heater and discovered that when we lost power it would not heat water...so the ignitor I guess is electric? How do you get around that?

we had them on a previous house and had hydro switches instead of electrical. Not sure if they can be retrofitted but in future look for one that has hydro switches.

ETA: I might be describing it wrong by saying hydro switch but I know for sure there are (or were) models available that required no electricity and the water coming through triggered the heating because we lived in an area where power was out a lot and still had hot water.

 

[Pookieray]

Anybody have one? Pros/cons?

It seems that I lose power more often these days and I'm tired of it. I've told my wife the next time it inconveniences me I'm getting a generator. Of course my natural gas entry point is on the East side of my house and the power entry is on the West. Driveways one direction, retaining wall the other direction. I'm assuming that I'll just have to cut the driveway to get gas to the power entry side or bring in a second gas meter (or take gas through the attic from an existing manifold and poke a hole to get down the wall to the generator?).

Thoughts on brands or the issue of my gas and power being in crappy locations?

Put the generator where your gas is located and run your electric connectors through the attic.

I do have a "stand by" generator. Dont get stressed out over the size that they say you need. I have a 12kw Briggs and we had to run it for 8 days straight couple years ago and it worked flawlessly. We don't need to run the dryer oven and all the burners on the stove at the same time so its great for us and was very easy on propane and overall cost. We Tvs, internet, lights don't pull much power. we have a heat pump with propane standby so we switched over to propane heat, was to cold for the heat pump anyway, so we had no issues at all.

I'm all in under $4k, I bought the unit at Lowes in 2020 or 2021 for under $3k (got 10% military disc) my propane provider installed the line to my generator and I did the rest.
A friend of mine (daughters father in law) just installed a 25 or 26 kw generac and his all in cost was around $16k, his propane cost was approx $3k as the generator is the only propane appliance he has and he put his tank 100 yds from his house.