Your last generator Maintenance Run

[CincyFlyer]

^^^Not to get too far off thread...

I have seen this repeat many times when it comes to cost.

Know someone that bought a very large genset for their large million dollar home back in 2004

She wanted it automatic and to be able to run everything... had a large hardwired UPS installed and the genset required the utility to upsize the gas meter to a commercial size... takes a lot of gas at load.

The first time the generator ran it was for most of the night... a vehicle accident took out a utility pole and then transformers blew...

Anyway.. she was shocked at the cost of the extra natural gas to run it and this was a night when everyone was sleeping...

A genset to run everything may be too expensive to run

Also had a tenant that wanted me to put in a new electric service... the original was circa 1922 and she was having lots of issues... they also were into salt water fish... large Aquariums...

I upgrade the service and she is a happy as can be... until the first power bill arrives... those heaters, pumps, etc... add up fast.

Someone who complains about a few hundred bucks for a few days outage needs to consider the cost of moving out for a while, losing their salt water aquariums, etc.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Kills me how many people spend untold money on their home, without a whole house x-fer switch and slow running genset. I would rather live in a cave and have power!

Million dollar house and complain about some gas! But most people don't have the slightest clue about electrical loads. You see it on here all the time. Maybe there was a cold spell that coincided with that one nights loss of power. Maybe a gas furnace switched over to electrical elements. I know one ritzy house with elevator, pool heating, numerous heat pumps and an extremely complex heating and cooling system. All backed up. Sure, that would cost, but they aren't complaining. That outdoor pool has to be heated to something like 80 degrees year round and no one ever goes there!

 

[ultrarunner]

Someone who complains about a few hundred bucks for a few days outage needs to consider the cost of moving out for a while, losing their salt water aquariums, etc.

It is more common than you think... 35 years in managing rental properties...

Some tenants would complain if the Utilities were free...

I've had the same 1 bedroom unit in a duplex with $250 utility bills and $60 before and after.

The $60 were senior citizens on fixed incomes... always sweaters, etc...

The was a single mom of 20 with a child... she would walk around all day in a Teddy and say how cold it was... standing at the front door was like standing in front of an open oven door baking cookies...

As individuals we have tremendous abilities to conserve, save and allocate... some don't have a clue...

She left when the Utility turned off her power for non-payment racked up $800 in 3 months...

She filed a housing complaint saying the duplex was not energy efficient and that is why she could never get warm...

 

[ultrarunner]

Kills me how many people spend untold money on their home, without a whole house x-fer switch and slow running genset. I would rather live in a cave and have power!

Million dollar house and complain about some gas! But most people don't have the slightest clue about electrical loads. You see it on here all the time. Maybe there was a cold spell that coincided with that one nights loss of power. Maybe a gas furnace switched over to electrical elements. I know one ritzy house with elevator, pool heating, numerous heat pumps and an extremely complex heating and cooling system. All backed up. Sure, that would cost, but they aren't complaining. That outdoor pool has to be heated to something like 80 degrees year round and no one ever goes there!

Not to beat a dead horse... a tenant at a 3 bedroom home was always cooking for her church... had multiple skillets, hot plates, convection ovens going...

She said the electrical in the 1200 square foot home was inadequate... it has 125 amp 220volt service with gas heat and water and no A/C... not needed.

I came down and said you have everything plugged into the same circuit... schooled her that one 1800 Watt Hot Plate was it... no way to have two plugged in and expect both to work... she had her son keep his finger on the circuit breaker because it kept shutting off...

I mapped the outlets and labeled them... she got a sideboard and used several outlets... there are actually 4 separate circuits in the kitchen PLUS the 220v electric range had a 120 outlet built in...

Mystery solved... she did use a lot of electricity in that house!

 

[buckeyefarmer]

here ya go...,


Just kidding, ultrarunner,
You always have good input.

 

[Industrial Toys]

You can always glue that breaker in place with a glue gun. No need to tie up an extra man. If it gets too hot, the glue will melt and you are still well protected. I shouldn't even think up such stupid stuff!

 

[ultrarunner]

I have similar with GFCI...

One was the only way to do wash wash by holding down the button... she was not happy.

Problem was her old washing machine... the gas dryer worked fine on the same outlet...

Technology has certainly increased or broadened the scope of Property Management.

Another was using a rubber washing machine water supply hose for natural gas...

I insist to be there and make any gas hookup... tenant said her brother did it... still a mystery to me how he cobbled together the fittings to make it work...

Learned a long time ago to cap any unused gas supply and take a picture and note in rental agreement... same for shower heads... was facing a lawsuit as a tenant guest was injured when a shower head came flying off and hit her in the eye and did damage... thing is the tenants boyfriend installed the fancy head... thank goodness I had a picture of the bathroom at move in showing MY shower head...

Still not a lot of residential generators around here... I have the market cornered as far as portable units...

When the power goes out... everyone learns quick who has power... mentioned before I was away and my neighbor who helps me a lot fired up my Honda EM5000 and it had cords going to 4 homes... all for refrigeration... what are you going to do???

 

[grsthegreat]

I put in hundreds of generator systems over the years.... and you know what.... no one has ever complained to me that they wish they didnt have one. I do occasionally get calls during outages thanking me for their systems. Its nice to be warm and have water.

i find it relative...i had one customer that had me bid a generator for them. He complained about spending 9 grand on a whole house generator that may get used once a year, but had a razor utv and a snow mobile piled into back of shop. Those are used 1 weekend a year, but they dont consider those as extravigant. But having a backup generator ...that they consider extravigant. To each their own

 

[Industrial Toys]

Having a HOT shower during a multi day outage in the dead of winter can make you feel like a billionaire!

 

[3930dave]

Na... a few gallons per hour. We paid $1.37 for propane last time. Have 1000 gallon tank.

Nice option with propane - you can stock up (buy cheap(er)) off-season.

Rgds, D.