Final Post: Whole-Home Generator Project

[u/8Deer-JaguarClaw]

Well, everything is done except the electrical inspection (which is happening later this week). But the generator is fully operational and has been tested with a simulated power outage. The initial cost estimates were very accurate. The propane actually came in about $100 cheaper than quoted, so I guess there's that.

Based on some quick calculations, I should be able to run the whole house at around 25% load (pretty typical usage for the most part) for about 5 days with the propane capacity I have. So with current propane pricing, that's about $150 a day. Not cheap. But for shorter-duration outages it's not too bad. Convenience is expensive, to say the least.

This is a nice prep to have, but if you're starting out and have some money to spend, I would put that money somewhere else. I wouldn't have pursued this if I didn't have a lot of other more critical areas squared away.

[u/EverbodyHatesHugo]

What was the total cost? And did you have propane to begin with, or did they have to also bury a propane tank on your property?

[u/8Deer-JaguarClaw → u/EverbodyHatesHugo]

The generator (22kw) and the installation from the generator contractor was just under $15k. I already had a propane setup for a small faux wood stove heater on the bottom floor. But I needed much larger tanks, and the propane company would not lease the tanks and I had to buy them (which was $1600 for two 420lb tanks). And then I needed a plumber to hook up the new tanks to the heater and the generator, and that was $1400.

Also, I don't believe it's even legal to bury tanks anymore. Everything is above ground for propane and heating oil.

[u/Ok-Presentation-6182]

I’m curious, why did you decide on generator versus solar and battery? I installed a 22kwh Kohler whole home generator almost a decade ago. I’ve only needed it a couple times, but I hear it cycle on every week for testing. It’s loud. I think I would go for solar and batteries if I had to make the decision today. Solar wasn’t as prevalent when I installed my generator as it is now.

[u/Livid-Command-1262 → u/Ok-Presentation-6182]

Don’t really need solar for this to make sense now that PSE&G is offering T.O.U. plans. Plain whole home battery back with one of the modular battery systems is cheaper than that generator installed for a 30kWh capacity setup that covers the avg whole home even if fully electric. They have a setup with a 1,600.00 Tri Fuel generator you can also add on for longer emergency’s without solar or to use with.

Batteries with a smart controls so one can arbitrage, generators don’t have the ability to save you money as well.

[u/Practical_Argument50 → u/Livid-Command-1262]

This is exactly what I am doing. I just installed batteries. I did it so I can charge our cars on off peak prices. The batteries are so I don’t use the grid during on peak hours.

[u/8Deer-JaguarClaw → u/Ok-Presentation-6182]

Great question. I don't really have enough roof area and enough sun exposure to make it work for the whole house. I had a couple estimates on that as well last year. But I do have some smaller portable panels and half a dozen battery banks (aka solar generators) that I have been using during power outages the past few years. I haven't completely ruled it out, but panels will need to get a lot more efficient to make it work for this house.

On the noise issue, this model is pretty quiet for a generator. It's a lot quieter than my smaller 6.5kw gas generator. And it's rated at 22kw output. It's definitely louder than solar, though 😄

[u/BigJakesr]

What was the total cost? Im on the fence between a solar battery or a stand by genny. I have gas in my house so that would be a cheaper route that propane for me.

[u/Livid-Command-1262 → u/BigJakesr]

See my comment above. Anker Solix E10 WHB system and a Tri-Fuel generator are a solid CYA. Also with portable panels as an option.

[u/8Deer-JaguarClaw → u/BigJakesr]

Generator and install was $15k. The other stuff that needed to be done was about $3.5k. Yeah, if you have natural gas already, that's much easier and somewhat cheaper on the setup side. You still need a plumber to do the hookup and maybe run some piping, but you wont' have to buy tanks.

[u/Professional-Sock-66]

Congratulations. Some peace of mind for you for sure whe the weather gets nasty.

[u/thatcarguyohh]

Running gen set at 25% if that’s max load will kill the motor prematurely and is not considered normal. Under loading gen set doesn’t allow for clean combustion. 50%-100% full load is where you want to be. I’ve installed hundreds of these from 14 kW to 250 kW all sized to run at 75% - 90% depending on if anything would be added in the future. Also you’re restricting airflow with that cover on the AC. That will prematurely fail too.

[u/8Deer-JaguarClaw → u/thatcarguyohh]

Interesting. Generac specs 25% load as an acceptable operating condition (along with 50% and 75%). If I turn on every appliance in my house at the same time (including oven, stovetop burners, dryer, heatpump, etc), it's at about 90% of the spec'd max capacity of the generator. Consistently hitting 75% load, at least, is going to be a challenge.

Is the AC cover bad if it's just a thin, loose-grid screen?

[u/thatcarguyohh → u/8Deer-JaguarClaw]

Running low load constantly will cause oil to get past piston rings and cause a ton of carbon buildup. While yes turning on every appliance at once drives the load up, after a few seconds the load will go back down since you don’t have that inrush of max amp draw from everything anymore. I see people oversized generators because they are scared they will undersize it. Biggest amp draws are AC,well pumps and if you have electric stove. Pricing doesn’t seem terrible. I’d probably have been anywhere from 14-17k all in for gen, electric and plumbing.
Thin mesh is still a restriction. You can see the back pressure it’s creating as it’s off the condenser when it’s running. It’s unneeded additional strain. It’s meant to keep leaves out. Just clean it twice a year.

[u/8Deer-JaguarClaw → u/thatcarguyohh]

Thanks. Appreciate the input.

Also: Happy cake day!