Advice on Generators
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Anonymous
| Whole house generators are a major project with permits, utilities and construction. It's usually not a DIY effort and most people use a contractor. Home Depot or Costco will set you up with someone as will any of the many independent contractors that install Kohler or Generac systems. You'll also be on the hook for a maintenance contract. |
Anonymous
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15kW whole house generator gotten through Dominion. It cost $10k to get, about $4k to move with us.
Be sure to ask for them to wire circuits together if you can't get everything to fit. e.g. the hot water heater and dishwasher -- you can use either but not both, and the dryer/AC -- you can use either but not both. If you try and overload the generator it will beep at you then shut down. |
Anonymous
| My inlaws have a whole house generator (Generac) ... it runs all their lights, furnace, ac, and all major appliances except the dishwasher and washing machine. We stayed with them for 4 days after the Derecho disaster. It was really nice. They did have to get permits, and multiple inspections ... I think my FIL said it was about 12K (but they have a really small house). They are in their late 70's so I'm glad they have it. It is super loud outside their house, so their neighbors aren't so happy - they have invited them over but if I lived next door I don't think I would be happy either. |
Anonymous
You are the type whose kids bring lice to school. seriously . . . |
Anonymous
wtf? no Ours was whole house, and we didn't need permits. It was about $10 total 7 years ago. Sadly, we moved and had to leave it. We're now hooking up a portable one b/c we're on well and septic, but will definitely get a whole house in the future. |
Anonymous
You certainly need an inspection-- a wrongly installed generator can kill an electric lineman. |
Anonymous
Sorry, my kids aren't white, they don't get lice. Now back to the subject... |
Anonymous
Only on DCUM can I learn this factoid after opening a thread about generators... |
Anonymous
Excuse me? Everyone can get lice. Dumbass. |
Anonymous
| We have a Generac portable, 4500 watts. I bought it online through Home Depot. Paid about $500 for it. I bought it before the last big outage, and it was a godsend. It powered the sump pump, one small air conditioner, a couple of fans and the standalone freezer. You can spend about $10K for one that's permanent, but you have to get it serviced twice a year. It will power your furnace or a/c, some lights, internet, your fridge, more if you get a larger one. I didn't see the value of spending that much money, but I don't work at home. I do wish I'd bought a slightly larger generator, though because the summer heat was brutal, and I would like to have had enough power for the fridge as well as the freezer, as well as more fans. I researched, and Generac is a pretty reliable brand, so I went with that. It worked well, but requires oil changes, some expensive extension cords (we bought the $50 each ones for safety reasons, but you can use cheaper ones from HD for $30 or so each), and emptying out all that gas when the power comes back on. It's a PITA, but so is a power outage. I wish they'd just bury all the power lines!! End of power outages caused by storms!! |
Anonymous
| I am not with pepco so I do not need a generator. But if you are interested, REI sells portable solar powered generators |
Anonymous
| It is possible to buy a honda portable generator and a transfer switch. Basically have an electrician install the transfer switch that honda sells and just keep the generator in the garage for whenever needed. That should be able to run the furnace. Home owners like the EU series like the EU3000 or EU6500, which would come close to your budget. I would check out honda's website, they have lots of useful info, even if you are not purchasing from them. You can also look on your appliance (volts x amps = watts) - add everything up and it will give you an idea of what you need. |
Anonymous
You touch/do anything with gas, you need a permit. I've had multiple plumbers tell me this, plus the fact that it's gas as in kaboom if you fuck up gas. |
Anonymous
| People who put grease or oil on their hair are less likely to get lice. Its not impossible, but its less likely. |
Anonymous
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We have a Honda we pull out of the garage, plug into a second panel, and flip the regular control panel to the second to run off generator. Cost less than 6g to hardware and add the box.
Everyone can get lice. What a weird thing to be racist (and misinformed) about. |