When a sudden power outage leaves your entire neighborhood in darkness, you know you're not the only one scrambling to find flashlights, but what if you never had to experience that inconvenience?
At a time when many areas are prone to frequent power outages or disruptions in the power grid, investing in a whole-home generator might just be the solution you need to feel peace of mind. Access to backup power during emergency situations is invaluable, and while you might think you can muster through the outage and wait for its return, for consumers who rely on medical equipment, a critical sump pump system, air conditioners, and other essential tools, it's a different story. If you're considering upgrading your home with a backup generator, consider how the benefits weigh with the costs.
What is a whole home generator, and how does it work?
"A whole house generator typically works off of fuels such as natural or liquefied petroleum gas. Most models start to work automatically as soon as the home goes off the grid in an outage," shares Dan Mock, VP of Operations at Mister Sparky. "Some models are manual, but an automatic system is the best to ensure your home is receiving power just as soon as it is lost, and continues to support your home, even if it ends up being days without power. When your power is restored, the generator will detect that change and will shut itself off."
He adds, "You will find that standby generators come in a variety of sizes and capacities, so getting the right fit for your home's energy demands will ensure that you do not notice any lagging or issues with having consistent power when in use."
Take note: A portable generator is different. Portable generators offer flexibility and are typically more affordable and easier to install, making them ideal for temporary or emergency power needs; however, they usually have a lower power output and require manual setup and fueling. They're more suitable for running a smaller system with an extension cord, such as powering your refrigerator for a period of time during an outage, but aren't strong enough to run the whole house. Plus, as they're fueled by gasoline, diesel, or propane, it's important that these types of generators remain outdoors to reduce the likelihood of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Worth it? Oftentimes, Yes
"It is usually considered a worthy investment for homeowners who work from home and may lose valuable hours of productivity if they were to lose power during business hours," notes Mock. "For residents of hurricane-prone areas, a one-time investment in a whole home generator will prove useful throughout hurricane season, as it will ensure the essential functions of the home are still running despite weather conditions. It can also add value to the home once you are selling it. You can advertise your home as already having a whole home generator, which would be seen as an added feature for a buyer."
He adds, "The installation cost varies greatly and is determined by what systems you want to power, location on the property, fuel type, and quality of the equipment itself. A complete installed system for your entire house can run from anywhere from $3,000 to well over $20,000. A complete professional system analysis will determine your specific needs, and the power requirements you will need."
Factors to Consider
- Size of Generator/Wattage: If your generator is intended to supply only a portion of your home's electrical load, make a list of the equipment you want to power in case of a power failure: appliances, lamps, furnace blower motor, etc. Compare the total power output of the equipment to the backup power source... and do not exceed it.
- Fuel: Your choice of fuel should be determined by the fuels available in your area. The more remote your location is, the bigger the concern for having available fuel will be. As mentioned earlier, gasoline, diesel, fuel oil and, to an extent, propane, have limited availability and delivery in extreme circumstances. Natural gas can also be limited if you are not connected to their distribution system.
- Electrical Wiring: For it to start, the full house generator must utilize an automatic transfer switch that detects the power outage. This switch will transfer control of your power to a separate breaker in your electrical panel that will then send electricity to the circuits that are configured to have power.
- Plumbing and Gas Lines: Full house generators also require connections to the home's natural gas lines or large fuel tanks for a source of power. Whether your home uses natural gas, a liquid propane tank, or other gas providers, your electrician will be able to utilize the correct valves and connect the fuel to your generator.
Is the installation of a whole house generator complicated?
"The installation process for a full house generator is quite extensive but well worth the time," shares Mock. "Before the installation can begin, building permits and HOA permissions may need to be acquired. From there, an analysis of the home's wiring system and gas lines will help determine which full house generator is best suited for your home. Scheduling a consultation with an electrician will not only provide you with an expert opinion but ensure that the installation and functionality of the generator will run smoothly."
What are some common mistakes you see when people shop for full home generators?
"The most common mistake people make when purchasing a full house generator is going the cheaper route," cautions Mock. "Oftentimes, people will decide on a less expensive or even used generator over the quality and functions a new device can offer. When purchasing a used generator, people mistakenly neglect to check the hour meter for the age, maintenance records, and usage of the device as well as performing a load test to determine if the device will work effectively."
Can you install a whole house generator by yourself?
"Attempting generator installation by yourself may seem tempting to avoid extra service fees, but in reality, it can lead to more expensive repairs and even create life-threatening situations," cautions Mock.
- Risks of electrocution. Without the proper knowledge of electrical systems, electrocution is a high possibility during a DIY install.
- Risk to repairmen during storms. If installed incorrectly the generator can pose a significant electrocution risk to repairmen repairing storm damage by back-feeding current into the grid.
- Potential gas leaks. Gas leaks can also occur when you poorly connect your home's gas lines to the machine, which can cause potential fires and gas poisoning to anyone exposed."
