Anonymous
Post 01/20/2016 12:47     Subject: Why do you NOT have a generator?
Anonymous wrote:I'm wondering this, reading all of your responses in the snowstorm prepping topic. You can get a portable, gasoline generator for about $500 at Costco that, at the very least, can power the refrigerator, some lights, electronics, and a space heater or two.

If you spend around $1500 (for everything) you can have a large portable generator and an electrician install an outlet and switch to plug it directly into your breaker panel. This becomes (almost) a whole-house generator.

For $5,000, you can have a natural gas or diesel one that activates and switches over automatically.


What I don't understand is, why do people live in areas where you can lose power for days?

Makes NO sense in the USA in 2016
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2016 12:42     Subject: Why do you NOT have a generator?
We got an estimates for a whole house one. Between 12K - 15K. Just could not justify the cost.
As for getting a portable one, I am usually without my husband around and i'm not comfortable setting it up.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2016 12:38     Subject: Why do you NOT have a generator?
Anonymous wrote:It would cost more for us since we don't have a gas line to the house (it is in the street, though.) We looked into putting in a generator and adding the gas line a while ago (after the derecho) and made a request to Washington Gas, who then sent us an estimate based on us using gas to heat our home going forward. That is not happening since we have a nearly new $$$$ oil-fired boiler which will probably outlive us. I called them to ask that they revise the estimate and never heard back, then it sort of fell off my list of things to do.


Just get a cheap gasoline one.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2016 12:38     Subject: Re:Why do you NOT have a generator?
Anonymous wrote:Because they're idiots.


This. They choose to be victims because they're wedded to the idea that the State should always take care of them. They've given up all sense of self-sufficiency and purpose.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2016 12:37     Subject: Re:Why do you NOT have a generator?
Anonymous wrote:We have one. Hard wired in when we built our house.


That's the way to do it. Amazing how all these people are comfortable being ill prepared.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2016 12:36     Subject: Why do you NOT have a generator?
It would cost more for us since we don't have a gas line to the house (it is in the street, though.) We looked into putting in a generator and adding the gas line a while ago (after the derecho) and made a request to Washington Gas, who then sent us an estimate based on us using gas to heat our home going forward. That is not happening since we have a nearly new $$$$ oil-fired boiler which will probably outlive us. I called them to ask that they revise the estimate and never heard back, then it sort of fell off my list of things to do.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2016 12:36     Subject: Re:Why do you NOT have a generator?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Because our row house is NOT in the suburbs. It is a short walk from an urban metro station. We RARELY lose power.

+1! Also, gasoline is dangerous and emits VOCs, so it's not the best choice in an interior row house, which can get ambient heat from neighbors anyway.


I could be wrong, but I suspect that the timing of you having a power outage is closely correlated with the timing of your neighbors having a power outage.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2016 12:35     Subject: Re:Why do you NOT have a generator?
Because they're idiots.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2016 12:34     Subject: Re:Why do you NOT have a generator?
We have one. Hard wired in when we built our house.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2016 12:34     Subject: Why do you NOT have a generator?
Anonymous wrote:And my husband built a portable charger using a car battery.

I'm sure some foreign idiot will try and drive and hit something, taking put power


Wow, you're dumb and xenophobic. When the power goes out during a storm like this, it's usually because overhead wires are taken down by falling trees and tree limbs, which can't support the weight of the snow or come down in strong winds.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2016 12:34     Subject: Why do you NOT have a generator?
I don't have one because we have lost power for a total of maybe 3 days in five years, and it isn't worth the hassle. Even after you buy the generator you need to maintain it, sort out fuel etc.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2016 12:34     Subject: Why do you NOT have a generator?
Anonymous wrote:Why bother? I can fly my private helicopter to the islands to escape the cold in case of a snow storm


Mayor Barry! You've resurrected. It's not the snowpocalypse, it's the apocalypse, this time for real!
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2016 12:33     Subject: Why do you NOT have a generator?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Wow, OP. You live in a fairytale. Not everyone can afford to spend $500.


Let them eat cake.


Seriously... we have a portable generator. It was $500 at Costco and in the 6 years we have owned it we have used it once. That was during the derecho. I totally understand why folks don't buy them. In addition to the money, they may not have a place to store it.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2016 12:33     Subject: Why do you NOT have a generator?
Anonymous wrote:1) Portable generators can't be run outside in the rain or in severe weather. Yet they produce so much carbon monoxide that if you even run it in a garage with the exterior doors open you could DIE. I don't think they're worth the risk.

2) Installed ones are expensive and my power doesn't go out enough for me to think it's worth it.


Portable generators can run in the rain or during severe weather.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2016 12:33     Subject: Why do you NOT have a generator?
Anonymous wrote:And my husband built a portable charger using a car battery.

I'm sure some foreign idiot will try and drive and hit something, taking put power


You are pre-hating the foreigns. In your mind, is it a Mexican or a Muslim that will do this? Or, even worse, a Muslim Mexican, with Ebola?