Juy Loc: Delaware

I installed a 16kw generator along with 200amp auto transfer switch,about 5 years ago. It self test once each month. When the power goes out within 10 seconds the generator starts,in another 19 seconds the transfer swit h trips and power is restored to the house. Has never failed . Maintenance is very little,oil and filter change along with air filter ,clean debris from around unit and air vents . Remove bees/ wasp nest.
The transfer switch has two delay contacts used to connect AC control wire. Thus keeps the AC from coming on until the generator is up to speed,and keeps from both AC or other high load from coming on Sametime. Love it

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I could buy a Z9 for that!!! Choice....generator or Z9? Gotta go Z9!! And some candles and good flashlights.

That totally might change if we get hit with a prolonged power outage on a 100+ degree day.

Red6

I do not have a whole-house backup generator but purchased a large portable gasoline generator after a 5-day power failure due to weather several years ago. I studied this subject and learned a lot from this experience.

Here is my advice for what it is worth. Study and evaluate your needs carefully. Ask yourself WHY you think you need a backup generator. Do you store a lot of frozen food? Are you located in an isolated place where help is unavailable? What are other alternatives? Is it just for comfort or are there life-threatening issues if power is lost? What are other options? What is your budget? Remember, there is a rather large initial cost and a maintenance and update cost from then on.

Here is what I did. A portable gasoline generator is a terrible idea for a house, even for temporary power. It is noisy, uses a lot of gasoline, generates fumes and exhaust, and in the long term is not reliable. Also, the low-end generators need to be exercised often or they will not reliably start when needed. There is also the need to store and manage large quantities of motor oil and gasoline. After dealing with all this, I go rid of my portable generator. Just not worth it.

The larger built-in generators, Generac for example are nice but expensive. Being natural gas or propane fueled, they are safer and you do not need to store and manage many gallons of diesel or gasoline in or around your home. They do require regular maintenance and exercise, meaning running them for short periods on a schedule. This ensures they will start and run when needed. But all this comes at a cost. If you are wealthy, then this cost may be trivial, and having the backup may be worth it.

After a lot of study, I decided an in-home generator was not worth the effort or expense. I purchased long-shelf-life food along with an emergency stove. I also have batteries for flashlights for immediate emergency lighting along with candles and lanterns for longer blackouts. I also have stored water, and for the longer term, water purification equipment. We also have cold-weather camping gear available. If people can camp outside in the winter then we should be able to camp in our house with few issues if properly equipped. All this for a few hundred dollars and little maintenance. We could also choose to just evacuate to a hotel somewhere outside the area of power loss. Even hotel costs for a week or so would not add up to the cost of a whole house Generac.

That was my analysis. I just chose to do without. Without any of the extenuating circumstances (medical), my purchase of a whole house generator would be based on just ensuring our comfort and easy lifestyle for the short time the power was out. It just did not seem worth it. Besides, the emergency may be one that the generator cannot help such as a flood, fire, tornado, or something equally as bad where your home is damaged badly and unlivable. And if the impending emergency is avoidable such as a hurricane, we will evacuate to somewhere else. We did that last year with Hurricane Ian.

kerry12 Loc: Harrisburg, Pa.

I just had a Generac 18KW generator installed. It runs on natural gas. Cost of the generator and installation was $10,000.00. It will run the entire house. This is in the Harrisburg, Pa. area. Just installed this week, so I haven't had to use it yet.

agillot

It depend on what you want . Me i just want top keep the fridg going , some lights , and a fan . So in this case 3000 watts will do , $ 350 , plus extension cords . Np w if you want all house , including a/c , about $12k .

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I have a Generac for several years and think it's great. Two things the cosy of the generator and the cost of installation. The installation is the variable, It should be on a slab not the ground and the surge protection. The price given by some include both and other installers add it on. Have the come to the house (they need to any way, to see location and problems they may have) and give you a final price. Or total price.

joewade2 Loc: Mindoro, Wis

I bought and installed a 20KW Cummins. If I had it to do over I would go with the Generac. Cummins has the smarts in the transfer switch and the generator. Generac has all the smarts in the generator. This simplifies the system.

n4jee Loc: New Bern, NC

When we built our house in FL we installed a Generac and had the house wired so that what we really needed would be supplied in an emergency. The generator would not handle the HVAC. Installation after the house is built will be a little more expensive. You have to install a second breaker panel and move those circuits you want powered by the generator to it. I guess that would not be necessary if the generator could handle the whole house.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

"n4jee" that is why you need the quotes to be done by the installers at your house. I found you can't give some any wiggle room. On paper after they see your house. The installation is the variable, your gas line, window locations, fuse box and location etc.

Schwabo Loc: Florida

We installed a Generac 7 years ago. It comes on every Monday morning for about 10 min. It is for the whole house Aircon, fridges and freezers. We live in Florida so if we have a power outage all the standby food and drinks would be spoiled and we would be sweating a lot. I think it is a 20Kw. Generac offers a maintenance contract for about $500 a year 2 visits to make sure the oil, battery etc. is good. They did the check up yesterday and now we are good again for the next 6 month. Oh by the way it is hooked up to the natural gas pipe which seams to work even when we have a power failure for 3 weeks a few years back.

Schwabo Loc: Florida

We installed a Generac 7 years ago. It comes on every Monday morning for about 10 min. It is for the whole house Aircon, fridges and freezers. We live in Florida so if we have a power outage all the standby food and drinks would be spoiled and we would be sweating a lot. I think it is a 20Kw. Generac offers a maintenance contract for about $500 a year 2 visits to make sure the oil, battery etc. is good. They did the check up yesterday and now we are good again for the next 6 month. Oh by the way it is hooked up to the natural gas pipe which seams to work even when we had a power failure for 3 weeks a few years back.

Canisdirus

If it is just for backup...power outages...forget generac (I had one).

Loud...You'll need a good sized propane tank to go with it as well.

I'd suggest a Bluetti Battery system...silent...efficient...getting downright affordable for the middle class.

I have not purchased one yet because they just now came out with a 240v model.

I will wait a few models...then go for it.

Juy Loc: Delaware

Wow you guys are paying top dollar. My Generac 16kw with 200 amp transfer cost me $3400.00 plus $287.00 for cable another 150.00 for conduit and ground wire and rod. Did the work myself. I did the portable for several years. Was a real hassle I would never giback to that.

rcarol

When my sister lived in Ohio, she had a Generac installed at her home. At the time, her husband was scheduled to do at-home dialysis and the Generac was needed to provide uninterruptible power for the machine. Unfortunately, he passed away before getting a chance to use it. However, in the subsequent years the Generac continued to provide power to the house during power outages caused by the severe storms. She liked her unit very much and it never failed her. I don't know the size of her unit but I do remember that the unit was set up to power everything in her house except the air conditioner.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

It's really a no-brainer these days. I have a 5500 kW unit on wheels. It's not very expensive, but I have to pull a cord to start it. The automatic type is great, but I didn't want to spend thousands of dollars.