I have been installing generators for many years. Though it has been intermittent, as it's not the forefront of my business, I have installed more generators in the last 10 years than I have in the previous 15 years. It is now almost as necessary as air conditioning during August in Texas.
There are 3 main power grids in the U.S: the Pacific, the East, and the Texas grids. Even though Texas has its own power grid, that doesn't mean it is devoid of power issues. On the contrary, Texas is now having some of the same issues as the other grids have had, though it happens less frequently.
Power lines, transformers, and other grid related gear is being replaced, however, there is still an immense amount of power demand that is required to light up our cities. As more EV chargers, businesses originally from other states, and new homeowners are flooding to the state, power demand has shot up considerably in the last 10+ years.
This has caused a stress on the grid structure that creates a challenge when there are natural events that cause the power to go out. Even with a new updated power grid forming, by the time this is completed, it will have been outdated.
Generators create a reprieve from the fear of not having power for an extended amount of time, so it's no wonder the demand for them has skyrocketed.
There are two types of generators that one can choose to help secure power when a part of or multiple parts of the grid goes out during natural occurrences.
Aside from solar panels and windmills (neither of which are reliable in this area of demand), the two types of generators are: the standby generator and the portable generator, both of which will help in securing power for any extended period of time.
Standby generators offer a secure power source generated for your home with the comfort of doing no more than checking the oil and testing it yearly. They normally come with an automatic transfer switch (you can get a manual switch as well) that turns on the generator automatically while at the same time swaps the main power grid line to the generator line.
This is an essential part of using a generator of any type. When a generator is being used and nothing has been put in place to keep the power grid lines from energizing your power then it can kill the generator with the influx of that power.
More importantly, it's dangerous for a generator to be sending power through the power lines while workers are restoring power during these events. The transfer switch is installed to prevent such occurrences.
Additionally, standby generators can be fueled by your home's natural gas, which means you wouldn't have to refuel during extended power outages. They are typically large enough, when sized correctly, to run your home as you normally would.
I also get asked about the noise they create when they are turned on. Most generators have a decibel level that is acceptable. In a lot of cases, they are as loud as the AC unit outside. Always verify this when purchasing.
Another question I get is the amount of money that it takes to run the generator. This is a serious consideration, especially for those of us who are on budgets. The best advice I can offer:
a) Examine your house gas bill
b) Calculate your CCF (hundred cubic feet per month) based on your gas bill for one month. You're given a total amount of gas usage each month in CCF (hundred cubic feet). There is 24 hours in a day multiplied by 30 days (on average) = 720. Divide the estimated usage by 720.
For example: my bill last month was the estimated usage in CCF: 15.00. 15.00 x 100 = 1500. When I divided 1500 with 720, I came up with $2. 08 per hour.
c) Determine how much CF/h (cubic feet per hour) your future generator costs by checking the manufacturers' specifications.
d) Estimate an average down time without power by taking the average total number of days each year for the past five years that is incurred in your area and double the time.
For example: I know each year the down time has been different. Two weeks in the year 2019. One week in the year 2020, etc. The last five years I've had an average down time of eight days. Here I would double the number of days, which would bring me to 16 days. Now I know currently that I pay $2.08 per hour in cubic feet. $2.08 x 24 hours = $49.92, then I calculate $49.92 x 16 days= $798.72. This would be my cost to run a generator off a natural gas line in just over a two-week period. This calculation would be in a worst-case scenario for my area. Overall, this gives you an idea for the cost of natural gas versus using gasoline at a gas station which currently is just over $3.50 per gallon.
Although, due to the price of natural gas and the price of gasoline frequently fluctuating, it may not be as cost-efficient to have your generator hooked up to your home's natural gas line, but the benefit is that you don't have to get gas every 6-8 hours. This could be cumbersome, especially during a major ice storm or cold snap that lasts for two weeks.
If you feel that a standby is too much for your needs, whether its cost-related or usage on a yearly basis, then you can get a portable generator. These are very useful for short term power outages. When setting up this kind of generator, then all that is needed is the generator, an inlet for it to plug into, and an interlock kit.
The interlock kit acts like a transfer switch. It's a device that is installed on your breaker panel front cover. In order for you to turn on the breaker for the generator, you have to slide the bracket in place to be able to turn on the generator breaker meter.
Portables generators usually do not have the same capacity as a standby, so you are limited to what you can turn on. For example, is you have a 10k generator, you are only able to turn on lights and some light duty devices such as refrigerators (most important next to your internet), possibly your furnace is its gas heat, and/or a small AC unit if it's during the summer. Most likely you won't be able to run your main AC unit, a consideration for summer events. If you're going the route of a portable, then keep that in mind when you purchase it.
They are typically either gas powered and/or propane gas. In either case, you have to refuel, and how often is determined on its capacity and the power demand. There is a caveat to this, when you buy a portable generator that is dual fuel, you can convert it to accept natural gas from the house gas line. There are conversion kits, but it takes some modifications on the generator to make it work. There are also tri-fuel types, though I don't know how reliable they are. It is best to do your research before making any decisions.
The question when considering what type of generator to buy is: what do I want or need to have if the power goes out? Understanding this will help you decide on the best generator for you.
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