Quote:
Originally Posted by CateP
Hi Dan,
Did you get a whole house generator or a portable one? I'm trying to create a budget for capital improvements for the house we buy. Glad I asked about power outages. It looks like most responses are advocating for getting a generator hooked up.
Cate
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Hi Cate;
I have two portable gas generators. One will do the entire house as it is 17500 watt beast and the other is a 6000 watt Honda. The 17500 watt one is a recent purchase. We bought it after the major ice storm we had a couple years ago when we lost power for well over a week. My wife wanted to be able to use everything in the house including the electric oven and washer and dryer if necessary!! (What can I tell you, she is a creature of comfort!
) The Honda is great for night time use as it is extremely quiet and sips fuel unlike the 17000 watt beast!
Believe it or not the Honda was more expensive! One thing about gas generators is the quieter they are, the more expensive they are!! (Haven't quite figured that out yet!
)
I guess it all depends what your budget is... In my previous home I got by for 15 years with a simple 6000 watt Coleman Powermate generator that I purchased at Sam's club for about $400.00. You just need to be careful how many circuits you turn on especially if you have a well pump as that draws a lot of juice. You can very easily burn out your well pump if you under power it, but I never had any issues and that generator paid for itself many times over and I still have it today!!
If you can afford it and in my opinion the best way to go is an automatic propane stand by generator like this one.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...5132_200365132
You set it and forget it! When you lose power it automatically starts up. It also starts up automatically once a month just to run for maintenance purposes. They cost more than a comparable portable gas generator of the same wattage, (between $3,000.00 - $5,000.00 depending on size selected) and you need a separate propane tank unless you have propane for other reasons in your home.
I think if you were to go portable gas, I would recommend something no less than 6000 watts. Cost for that size generator will run anywhere from $500.00 - $2,000.00 depending on brand and how quiet you want it.
I'm sure there are some electricians on here that can answer you better than I. This has just been my experience and what I know about generators thus far.
Good Luck!
Dan