Automatic whole house generator systems.

[RSKY]

We have decided to have a whole house generator installed. The automatic kind that comes on when the power goes off. So I have called the Generac dealer about 3.5 miles from our house. It will be a month before they can come out for a consultation and between six and eight months before I can get a generator. Cost for an 18kw, 20kw, or 22kw system will be roughly between $8,000 to $10,000.

In the 2009 ice storm we made do with a 4000w portable. We had two fridges, one freezer, one TV and cable box, a few lights, and one small oil filled heater running off it. Not all ran at the same time. We rotated the utility room fridge and freezer and didn't run everything at one time. Heated the house with two sets of gas logs and used the electric heater only at night in the hallway near the bedrooms. The last two weeks we added a small 2000w that took some of the load. I got a Gencor 10,000w a few years ago for the electric start because my wife could not pull start the others. We have used it twice this winter. Once after the tornado, the other last week during a small ice/snow event.

I have several problems that must be solved. If something happened to me my wife would have a very hard time dragging the generator up to the house from the shop. She would also have a hard time pulling the fridges and freezers out and connecting them. Another problem is all the cords strung out all over the house. Another is the fact that when we need a generator it is usually cold as a well diggers rear end. And we are both 67 and are looking to be prepared for our older years. Also we usually have family come here because of our natural gas logs and water heater. There are several more smaller issues but those are the main ones.

I thought about just having a transfer switch installed and putting the Gencor in a semi-permanent location within a box like enclosure. Then memories of setting an alarm for every four hours to fill the little 4000w up with gas make me think that might not be such a good idea. Even though the 10,000 will run for over six.

I am looking at Generac because there are several locals selling and servicing the units. Anybody have any negative experience with them?

RSKY

 

[Will S]

Generac whole house generators are fine. If I had NG or propane here, I would have bought one, but with already having fuel oil, and being able to draw from it, I went with diesel.
I don't know if its ok to link to a non-competitive forum, so I won't post it, but if you look for the zillerstore forum, you'll find answers to just about every question you might have, regarding Generac gens.

 

[Chilliwack Murray]

Not trying to pick a fight but I’d suggest doing at least some of your research on forums other than a Generac Premier Dealer’s forum.

Find out what the rest of the industry has to say then make your decision.

 

[dragoneggs]

Hey Rsky, good to hear from you... been awhile. I have been tempted to upgrade to a whole house genny several times over the past decade or so, but continue to 'survive' with a 3K Honda wired into a mechanical interlock on the service panel. Makes it pretty simple to switch over.

I made explicit instructions for the better half to start and switch along with what breakers to throw back on because the power seems to go out mostly when I am on a business trip.

The Honda generator has an electric (key) start. The generator is always plugged into a Battery Tender so no worries about the onboard battery going dead before an outage.

1. Turn all breakers off
2. Switch the interlock on the service panel to gen
3. Pull choke
4. Key start
5. Turn on prescribed breakers

We get about 10 hrs before refilling and we have 10+ gallons of gas hanging out nearby the generator (in a garden shed built in to the side of the house). No need to run cords, just open the shed door to turn on and allow venting.

We don't lose power often enough and for long enough these days that I don't mind the 'roughing it' mode. Still have TV, heat, fridge/freezer, and any light we need. Well pump is out of commission but we are prepped for that.

I'm sure it would be so convenient to have whole house generator power but honestly we just don't need it for the number of times/duration of outages.

My disposable income at my 60+ age is going toward more 'fun' stuff that we would use more regularly vs. dumping the money into a system that makes power outages sort of a non issue.

Obviously lots of ways to kill the beast. Good luck with your install! Just crazy these days how long it takes to get any contractor work to get scheduled and completed.

 

[seville009]

I have a Generac 18kw whole house generator that runs on propane. Have the cold weather package on it (warms the oil and battery below 50 I think); I'm in the northeast


installed around 2006; cost was about $6,000 I think.

No issues other than the built in trickle charger went whacko one year and drained the battery.

Was tired of wheeling out a 12kw "portable" Yamaha gasoline generator to start up only to have the power come back on ten minutes after I got everything hooked up and running


the generic runs the entire house; all circuits.

it automatically starts and runs once a week for about ten minutes.


Have it tied into my two 1,000 gallon propane tanks.

It's nice laying in bed when the power goes out and I hear it fire up.....

 

[Wakey]

I have the Generac 22KW on propane. I went a step up with a 500 gallon tank which I had them bury.

It’s been great. The controller failed (in warranty) but I am pleased otherwise. I keep my freezer stocked and knowing that an outage won’t ruin my meats and prepared foods is worth the cost. Yeah, not really It is extremely convenient though.

 

[bcs001]

We have decided to have a whole house generator installed. The automatic kind that comes on when the power goes off.

I am looking at Generac because there are several locals selling and servicing the units. Anybody have any negative experience with them?

RSKY

I'm also looking to do the same at my place. Currently running a 12Kw portable Duromax backfeeding the main panel from a sub panel in the garage. It runs most of the house including 3 refrigerator/freezers, well pump and furnace blower with the exception of A/C & Heat Pump units and I can use Cooktop or Oven but not both at the same time. My plan is go with something between 20Kw - 24Kw.

I've only started researching brands but not real confident about Generac reliability based on reviews which I know have to be taken with a grain of salt. Some of the bad reviews could be operator or installation errors but some do appear to be legitimate concerns. Dealer support and distance from the install could be something to consider depending on how important that is to you. In my case I'll handling all maintenance and if something major comes up I cant handle there are skilled electricians who can deal with it. That just leaves warranty issues that could be a problem, but for me personally, I wouldn't choose an "inferior" brand just based on that one criteria.

It will be interesting to hear others experiences and opinions on the various brands and fuel types. I'll be using propane in my installation.

 

[orezok]

Considering that Generac allegedly has a 70% market share, it probably has 70% of the online complaints. If you have a tiny market share, your complaints will also be tiny.

Ponder that!

 

[kcflhrc]

Considering that Generac allegedly has a 70% market share, it probably has 70% of the online complaints. If you have a tiny market share, your complaints will also be tiny.

Ponder that!

Very true, and think about all the happy customer's that don't leave reviews. Around here you can buy the Generac 22KW with the 200 amp transfer switch for roughly $5k. So to the OP they are getting you for $3k to $5k for installation. I would buy it myself and then find a local electrician to do it on the side for say maybe $1k

 

[ericm979]

When we're running on generator I turn the generator off at night. Even in the summer the fridge and freezer stay cold enough overnight without power. When I get a whole house generator I'll be turning it off at night too.