Getting ready to pull the trigger on a Genarac Guardian Emergency Standy Generator.
Going with the 17KW or the 20KW, going to be deciding shortly. There will be a new electric panel installed inside my house that acts as a transfer switch. We will identify the circuits that we want to power when we lose electric service. Should run one of our AC units, heat, sump pump, fridge, computers, TVs. lights and the home alarm system. Connected to the natural gas so no re-fueling or hassle.
It runs a system check and starts up automatically once a week so it's ready to go when needed. Not cheap but it is the easiest way to maintain power and there are no hot engine fueling concerns and hoping it will start/run. Plus it's big enough to power most of everything in the house, plenty to power what we really need.
Generac Power Systems - Guardian Series 20 kW
Quote:
Originally Posted by X5rolls
I too have been thinking of getting an emergency generator this year and have not started the homework on size, brands, features yet. The 2nd link you posted is good, it's useful to think about start up wattage and voltage vs. just running levels. My wife said, "we just need it for the fridge" and I immediately thought, if the power goes out and we have a generator we are going to want to power other things like the computer, TV...... I agree with the recommendations here and above, go for larger if you can afford one and ensure you buy enough capacity to handle the start up loads.
Also, I think these should be treated like snow blowers, run them every year to test them so you are not trying to make it work in the worst conditions and when you really need them to work.
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