Installed permanently on the outside of your home, a whole house generator is connected to your electrical panel and provides a dependable backup power source. If your power goes out, it can power your entire house.
Natural gas is the most common fuel for a backup generator, although they can be fueled by propane as well.
In the event of a power outage, whole-house generators can provide peace of mind to homeowners. A generator can also help businesses stay operational during a power outage.
A Whole House Generator Can Power Everything
Whole house generators are ones that can supply power to all of your home’s circuits. The lighting circuit, appliances circuit, and outlet circuits are all included in this category. In contrast, portable generators can provide power to a limited number of circuits, not all of them.
Even though they are more expensive, there are a number of advantages to owning a whole house generator as opposed to a portable generator. When there is a power outage, they can automatically provide power to more circuits, and they are more reliable. The enclosures and designs are usually tough, durable, and long-lasting. In all weather conditions, the corrosion-resistant outer shell stands out with its quality-coated finish.
A flexible fuel line connector provides a nimble connection and will allow your backup generator to start quickly and easily. With a pressure-lubricated engine, you can expect more reliable power and easier maintenance, which makes regular maintenance of a whole house generator straightforward and uncomplicated.
Whole House Generator Factors to Consider
If you’re planning to purchase a whole house generator, you’ll need to consider factors such as pricing, warranty, noise level, monitoring from a remote location, automatic transfer switches, load management, electric starts, high temperature shutdowns, heat control, overload protection, and low-oil protection.
In contrast, you don’t need to permanently install portable generators like you do whole house generators. Fuel (usually combustible gasoline) can be scarce during natural disasters and local emergencies. As the homeowner, you must store it in advance of power outages.
However, since the fuel supplied to a whole house generator usually comes from a natural utility gas line or propane tank, that portable gasoline problem isn’t a concern for the backup generator homeowner.
Backup power can be provided for your entire house with a whole house generator. Once everything has been properly installed, it should be possible to run everything to its fullest potential. Both homeowners and businesses can benefit from whole house generators. In addition to providing convenience and comfort, they also increase safety.
Size, Type, and Budget: Whole House Generator
You should keep your home’s size in mind when you consider installing a whole house generator. Typically, a 2,500 square-foot house in the United States consumes enough electricity to warrant a 20 Kw unit, but it all really depends on your circumstance and needs. You should check what your specific appliances require. Just in case, choose a model that can handle more than you expect.
Size
The size of a home not only determines how much electricity is consumed by light fixtures, computers, internet, and televisions, but also by all kinds of appliances. You’ll want to take into consideration the number, size, and classification of the following items: refrigerator, central air conditioning unit, water heater, stove cooktop, heat pump, dehumidifier, microwave, light fixtures/bulbs, and sump pump.
Type
Don’t forget to consider the type of fuel you’d like to use. Liquid propane from a tank or natural gas from a utility line (or a custom tank) are usually the two fuel sources for any whole house generator. Using natural gas is cheaper and less contaminating than propane, and it won’t require you to refill a tank. However, if you live off the grid or in an area that’s more rural, the natural gas option oftentimes isn’t a choice.
And Budget
Overall, take into account the entire size of your home and the type of whole house generator you choose when determining the cost. Your expense could range from more than $1,000 to upwards of $7,000 – $8,000 depending on the type of backup generator you require. In the United States, the average cost is about $5,000.
To determine whether a backup generator is the right option for you, weigh the pros and cons.
W. Danley Electrical
At W. Danley Electrical, we assist you throughout the entire process. From answering questions about whole house generator models to helping you prepare for the installation process, we’re there for you. We even help with obtaining permits, inspections, and much more. Not to mention, we help optimize and fine-tune your situation, so you get the most out of your investment. The first step is determining the correct generator size.