| Do a little research and familiarize yourself with | | | | and get pricing on running a gas line for that |
| the differences in size, portable vs. permanent | | | | installation. If not, you'll need the price for installing |
| and fuel usage. Most sales people know squat | | | | a propane tank. They can be installed above |
| about them other than the profit margins. I'll try | | | | ground or buried so consider that. Most |
| to help. First consider what you need to have | | | | homeowner associations frown on permanently |
| power for NOT what you want power for, unless | | | | installed generators, so be sure you're not |
| money is not an issue. This list doesn't include any | | | | creating a problem for yourself there. |
| necessary medical equipment in the household | | | | My experience is that people want (a) easy and |
| that would, of course, be a priority or a fish | | | | (b) cheap. (No ex-wife jokes here) so I'll focus on |
| aquarium that requires a consistently maintained | | | | portable units. |
| environment. | | | | Where are you going to (1) store your generator |
| #1 is refrigerator/freezer. | | | | (2) set up the generator to use it? Remember, it |
| #2 well pump (if applicable). | | | | may be severe weather so, where could you put |
| #3 septic pump/lift station (if applicable). | | | | it to keep it safe and be able to refuel it easily? If |
| Now you can add the conveniences like: 1 or 2 | | | | you're using power cords, will they be dry and as |
| lighting circuits (preferably, the garage circuit if | | | | far out of the way as possible? |
| that's where the generator is so you'll have light | | | | Small generators (less than 5500 watts) can only |
| and interior circuits with paddle fans!), microwave | | | | do so much. If you overload the unit and damage |
| or toaster-oven, convenience outlets for TV and | | | | it, you won't have any power at all. So be smart! |
| such. Then consider the water heater and A/C | | | | Portable units are made up to almost 20k watts |
| after all that. | | | | but they're not for people on budgets. |
| Your choices of connected load items will create | | | | The bottom line is to add up the load (watts) you |
| the size requirements of the generator as well as | | | | plan to connect and size your generator at least |
| the need for a transfer switch. The cheapest | | | | 25% higher. When motors like the compressor in |
| way is to have a portable generator just outside | | | | the refrigerator start up there is a sudden draw |
| the garage or in a carport and then run #12 | | | | of power higher than the normal running load and |
| power cords into the house to plug in lights or | | | | you want to compensate for that. |
| appliances as desired. The better way is to install | | | | Small appliances will have the wattage marked on |
| a transfer switch to your electrical panel. A | | | | them. Lighting circuits will be less than 1200 watts |
| manual transfer switch gives you the option of | | | | each. Water heater is 4500 watts alone. |
| choosing the load being operated since you can | | | | Also,you'll truly get what you pay for...unless you |
| turn breakers on and off as necessary. An | | | | buy from one of those guys selling from the back |
| example is to run the water heater until the tank | | | | of their pick-up truck (don't do that). Don't wait till |
| is hot then turn it off before turning on an A/C | | | | the last minute and you know that bad weather is |
| unit. An automatic transfer switch is just that- | | | | approaching or you'll be stuck with whatever is |
| automatic. Power goes off, generator self starts | | | | left in the stores. Oh, and the "trick" with |
| and the ATS switches the load (house) from | | | | connecting the generator to the dryer outlet to |
| utility power to the generator. When the utility | | | | backfeed the house? DON'T YOU DARE! It will |
| power returns the ATS times itself out and | | | | result in damage and/or injury. I've been in home |
| switches back. The generator will shut itself down | | | | improvement stores and overheard a salesman |
| as well. | | | | suggest this method to a prospective customer. |
| Permanently installed generators run on either | | | | At that point, I had to assert myself and step in |
| natural gas or propane. Before investing in one of | | | | with more 'professional' advice. |
| those generators, check if natural gas is available | | | | |