Advice on Generators

[Anonymous]

This is finally it - whether the current storm comes or not we are going to take the plunge and get a generator for future events.

I've started to research it but thought i'd see if those of you who have recently purchased a generator have any advice. I know we need to get a transfer switch because our fridge is built in so the extension cord approach wont help. But portable or stationery? Is filling the gas on portables a challenge? Is one quieter than another? How many watts? What do you find you need to run? We would want the fridge, hot water heater, some lights, laptops, tv. Probably not AC or heat.

And what did you pay? I am thinking $5,000 including transfer switch but is that in the ballpark?

Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Geez, you act like we are out of power for months at a time in the DC area. You don't need anything that big. Why would you run the hot water heater?

[Anonymous]

We shouldn't be out of power at all. Its the GD nations capitol. Not OP, BTW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Geez, you act like we are out of power for months at a time in the DC area. You don't need anything that big. Why would you run the hot water heater?

live alone? No kids right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Geez, you act like we are out of power for months at a time in the DC area. You don't need anything that big. Why would you run the hot water heater?

live alone? No kids right?

I have two kids, but we just plug in an electric kettle and add it to a tub of cool water. Sometimes two kettles-full in winter, and it's warm enough for my kids. Uses WAY less energy.

[Anonymous]

I would look for one with enough juice for a fridge and two small appliances. That way you can use a lamp for the few hours you need one, you can boil water in a kettle or use a hot plate to cook or run a coffee maker (but you don't need all three at once). Charge laptops and phones (which double as tv with dvds for kids) and a box fan in the hottest part of summer.

[Anonymous]

We have a portable 4500 watt one and use extension cords to plug in the fridge, freezer, fios, 1 tv, lamp, internet and cable box

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Geez, you act like we are out of power for months at a time in the DC area. You don't need anything that big. Why would you run the hot water heater?

live alone? No kids right?

Sorry, I have a family of five with three kids. It's not that serious....

[Anonymous]

I have two small kids and no generator for us (we also have been lucky in the past and never lost power though,and we have a gas stove, so we can always cook). but lost heating once (furnace broke) almost entirely for 4 days with outside temperature of 20 F. based on my experience, no need for hot water - basic washing with cold water has never killed anybody- but no heating when outside is so cold it is not easy. do not care about being temporarily without AC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Geez, you act like we are out of power for months at a time in the DC area. You don't need anything that big. Why would you run the hot water heater?

OP here - the last 5-10 years we have been out for a week multiple times, at least once a year or so. We work at home so need power to work. If we are going to put in a generator anyway one of the things I'd like to include is the hot water heater (it is gas but has an electric component so does not work when the power is out). Sorry that bothers you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have two small kids and no generator for us (we also have been lucky in the past and never lost power though,and we have a gas stove, so we can always cook). but lost heating once (furnace broke) almost entirely for 4 days with outside temperature of 20 F. based on my experience, no need for hot water - basic washing with cold water has never killed anybody- but no heating when outside is so cold it is not easy. do not care about being temporarily without AC

Okay - forget I mentioned the water heater. Back to the original question but eliminate water heater. I have already decided to get a generator. I am asking for advice from people who have gotten them. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I group generators into three groups:

Basic Home Depot/Costco generators. These noisy beasts put out 6000 watts and cost under $1000. You'll need a couple gallons of gas per day and lots of orange cords to snake around the house to plug things in. Too loud for night time and no furnace/AC.

Quiet and small Honda generators. Honda has some 1000, 2000 and 3000 watt generators that cost +$1000. Smaller and more efficient than the first group but you'll still need a couple gallons of gas and the orange cords. Quiet enough to run at night but still no furnace/AC.

Whole house natural gas/propane generators are wired directly into your household wiring and turn on automatically when PEPCO goes out. No orange cords, no fuss, no gas can and you'll sleep in air conditioned comfort. $10,000.

[Anonymous]

NP here- can you make recommendations on best way to buy the 10k category of generators?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I group generators into three groups:

Basic Home Depot/Costco generators. These noisy beasts put out 6000 watts and cost under $1000. You'll need a couple gallons of gas per day and lots of orange cords to snake around the house to plug things in. Too loud for night time and no furnace/AC.

Quiet and small Honda generators. Honda has some 1000, 2000 and 3000 watt generators that cost +$1000. Smaller and more efficient than the first group but you'll still need a couple gallons of gas and the orange cords. Quiet enough to run at night but still no furnace/AC.

Whole house natural gas/propane generators are wired directly into your household wiring and turn on automatically when PEPCO goes out. No orange cords, no fuss, no gas can and you'll sleep in air conditioned comfort. $10,000.

Thanks, very helpful. I wondered why the Hondas were more expensive when I was looking online yesterday. I think for our neighborhood (houses are pretty close together and our next door neighbor is already angry about the noise our relatively quiet AC makes) the quieter ones will be a plus. I was under the impression they took more gas to run - good to know it's not so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here- can you make recommendations on best way to buy the 10k category of generators?

Don't get one now, wiat until well after the storm. The prices will be way up.

A family member has one and it convinced me to get one recently and love it. During the Deracho or whatever that was called our neighbors power was out 8 days we never lost power. and our neighbors were glad we didn't as we had them living with us for the entire time.