Whole house generator being installed today

I'll be the first to say congrats. And on behalf of the rest of the group ask for details. Size of your house, amps voltage etc. When power changes over is there a mechanism to prevent electric from flowing into the lines being worked on by utility company? And of course what generator brand and cost.

We had a Generac 22kw system installed and went online in September 2021. We have a 2200 SF house with 2 zone HVAC. 200amp service. It can run the whole house including the AC. 

Main driver was we are on a well and if there is no power there is no water. Also with everyone working or schooling from home due to the pandemic it was important for us to remain connected.

We were also out after the derecho for 5 days and in May 2020 we had a storm that knocked us out for 3 days. My wife (work) and daughter (who had final exams) got to go to other families houses but me and the dog where stuck here in 90+ degree heat and I had to take PTO. That was the last straw for me.

Our system has a transfer switch that automatically starts the generator when power is lost at the mains and the generator shuts itself off after power is restored. Our generator also runs on natural gas. There is a load monitoring system built in to the transfer switch to shut the AC compressors off temporarily if there is too much load (like if the well pump comes on at the same time). The transfer switch prevents power from flowing back to the mains when the generator is running.

We are in South Jersey and the total cost was $12k.

 

The thing that freaks me out about that kind of investment is the future of natural gas.

I run a portable 8.5kw for the FL house. We don't have natural gas and I would have had to bury a large underground propane tank for a whole house. I back feed the panel and can run everything except the central ac with that setup. I have a little 6k/btu window AC that I'll throw in the BR window to sleep in comfort. We ran that rig for five days after Irma. Gotta have a genny in hurricane alley.

Yes, I have similar concerns. I just can't see NG going away anytime soon.

Hmmm, I bought a Kohler... 21K. It runs everything. It's 10 years old but has very few hours. The most we ever used it was last Dec when a storm knocked over a huge cedar tree that fell against a utility pole and stripped everything off it and pulled the guts out of the meter.

Took 3 electricians and 3 utility crews all day in wintry cold wx to reestablish power.

We didn't miss a thing. Generator kicked in and we were powered the whole time. Used very little propane too. We have a 500 gallon tank attached to it and it used about 3% according to the tank's gauge.

It runs 20 minutes a week as a test. I've changed oil a few times and replaced the battery is all the msintence we've had to do.

You'll love it...

Congrats! We have a Generac 22kw that runs the whole house (1800 sqft).

Congrats!  Great buy imho!

I bought the 7.5 Generac using the natural gas system.
It was 5700$ total for the installation, unit and the ATS.

After our last flood it had to be done or move and we decided to stay.
The only thing it does not power is the AC system and we can get smaller plug in AC units.
We have plenty of power otherwise for the sump pumps, heating, refridgerators and freezer besides lights and outlets.
And the best thing is we can keep a Jam going because we will not lose power!!!

It was definitely worth the money and peace of mind.

I like power!

Here in So Cal my worry about a whole house generator powered by natural gas, is that a quake big enough to interrupt electric power, would likely compromise the gas lines as well. In my area, according the the gas company, under conditions they wouldn't specify, the gas would automatically be shut off at central hubs to prevent devastating fires.