Backup Power for your Home (for the next storm)

[Anonymous]

The ones for use in power outages only were the problem. Perhaps it was the Toyata computers. Who really knows at this point. And who really cares when you need to charge the cell phone and lanterns or make a cup of coffee. The car can be traded. I'm 1338 again and just realize how frustrated you are. Still a hotel can be cheaper in the long run and almost a vacation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The ones for use in power outages only were the problem. Perhaps it was the Toyata computers. Who really knows at this point. And who really cares when you need to charge the cell phone and lanterns or make a cup of coffee. The car can be traded. I'm 1338 again and just realize how frustrated you are. Still a hotel can be cheaper in the long run and almost a vacation.

The problem during this past storm was that a hotel wasn't an option for us (unfortunately!). Our street didn't get plowed until 4 days after the storm, and we don't have a 4WD. We could've left before, but it'd be nice to have the option to run a furnace in an emergency. Not worried about the coffeemaker, etc. at all.

[Anonymous]

penguinsix wrote:
If you go to Home Depot, up toward the front (often on the weekends) they have these salesman who sell 'whole home generators' and other major systems. You can get this thing that looks a large heat pump or fridge (basically). These need to be professionally installed and have an automatic generator transfer switch that will a) cut off service back up the line (so you don't kill the linemen working to fix things) and b) enables your generator to go into your home's electrical grid. These need to be professionally installed as well.

As you shop you'll need to work out how much power you need (do you want to live like it's just a normal day, or a more conservative 'essentials only' system). The more watts you use in the house the bigger (and more expensive) the generator.

Here is a link to "whole house generators" or "backup power systems"--words you should google if you are looking for this system. The big noisy ones you hear are considered "portables".

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Navigation?storeId=10051&N=524797+780+90401&langId=-1&catalogId=10053

I'm the 11:25 poster. That's very helpful. Thank you!

We're just looking for 'essentials only', mainly heat. Not worried about lights, tv. And, it's a fairly small house. I think the portable generators sound like they'd be adequate, but we'll be looking into this more.