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Forum » Anyone here have a whole home generator?
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Thread: Anyone here have a whole home generator?

post 1614462541 08-24-2020, 10:45 AM
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Anyone here have a whole home generator?

I got a quote for a 16kw generac generator installed for 10900. I get a 1100 costco gift card and 4 percent back for costco platinum membership. Total coat around 9k.

Also right now generac giving free 7 year warranty.

My home is natty gas so don't need the 24kw model. Gas and electrical box are on opposite sides of the house so some of the cost is factoring in running gas line.

Thoughts?

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post 1614462831 08-24-2020, 10:49 AM
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What's your reasoning for getting one?

My brother has one that cost like 20k but during the winter snow knocks out power multiple times a month
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post 1614462891 08-24-2020, 10:50 AM
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Originally Posted By Preban_AR15⏩
I got a quote for a 16kw generac generator installed for 10900. I get a 1100 costco gift card and 4 percent back for costco platinum membership. Total coat around 9k.

Also right now generac giving free 7 year warranty.

My home is natty gas so don't need the 24kw model. Gas and electrical box are on opposite sides of the house so some of the cost is factoring in running gas line.

Thoughts?

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post 1614462971 08-24-2020, 10:51 AM
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Originally Posted By jackamo2887⏩
What's your reasoning for getting one?

My brother has one that cost like 20k but during the winter snow knocks out power multiple times a month
As a backup for power outages particularly during hurricane season.
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post 1614463281 08-24-2020, 10:55 AM
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They are cool but expensive and idk how reliable they would be in any actual situation. Mainly useful for ppl living in areas with frequent outages. It isn't economical for us to have one.
post 1614463291 08-24-2020, 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted By armyr0b⏩
you better hurry up, Hurricane Laura coming in hot
OG join dates ITT.

They told me it was a 12-14 week wait time lol. This would be in preparation for next year I guess.
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post 1614463461 08-24-2020, 10:56 AM
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Originally Posted By jackamo2887⏩
What's your reasoning for getting one?

My brother has one that cost like 20k but during the winter snow knocks out power multiple times a month
Unless you have some home business that requires power, it's kind of a waste tbh.
post 1614463601 08-24-2020, 10:58 AM
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I have a generac one, installed it myself so couldn't give you an accurate price on install. That seems really high though, make sure you get the automatic transfer case too
Originally Posted By wincel⏩
Unless you have some home business that requires power, it's kind of a waste tbh.
Not really. I have my fridge, chest freezer, furnace, couple lights/outlets, and my security camera/tv on it

Couldn't imagine losing power in the winter and having no heat or losing all my food
post 1614463681 08-24-2020, 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted By GooBaaa⏩
I have a generac one, installed it myself so couldn't give you an accurate price on install. That seems really high though, make sure you get the automatic transfer case too
Yea that included the auto transfer switch.
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post 1614463971 08-24-2020, 11:03 AM
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I don’t have one, but my parents do. Their power was going out every time it would get a little bit windy. They seem to love it.

Edit: Generac, that is
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post 1614464231 08-24-2020, 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted By Preban_AR15⏩
Yea that included the auto transfer switch.
It would be cheaper to put the unit next to the gas meter and run power to it there you can just tie off the gas meter. If the company has to break out there threader and stuff it's gonna cost more

I don't know your situation and house layout though
post 1614464261 08-24-2020, 11:07 AM
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Originally Posted By GooBaaa⏩
I have a generac one, installed it myself so couldn't give you an accurate price on install. That seems really high though, make sure you get the automatic transfer case too




Not really. I have my fridge, chest freezer, furnace, couple lights/outlets, and my security camera/tv on it

Couldn't imagine losing power in the winter and having no heat or losing all my food
Aren't good generators like $20k...?

There's no way you ever break even.
post 1614464471 08-24-2020, 11:10 AM
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Originally Posted By GooBaaa⏩
It would be cheaper to put the unit next to the gas meter and run power to it there you can just tie off the gas meter. If the company has to break out there threader and stuff it's gonna cost more plus black iron is more than power cable

I don't know your situation and house layout though
Agreed but the gas meter is in the front yard and the electrical box is in the back. I rather have the unit in the back plus it would be on the side of the house where it is never seen. Would look much better cosmetically.
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post 1614464831 08-24-2020, 11:14 AM
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I want one. I just don't want to invest in one at this time. I've been thinking of picking up a standard generator and a small window unit/portable AC though. Something I can run if power goes out to keep my fridge/freezer going and AC my bedroom for nighttime.
Originally Posted By wincel⏩
Unless you have some home business that requires power, it's kind of a waste tbh.
Depends entirely where you live. Along the Southern coasts with hurricanes you can have power out-ages last a couple of weeks. When its 90 degrees with about 85% humidity at night time and it feels like you just took a warm shower while fully dressed. You start thinking twice about how much you need an AC.

I won't even get into food spoiling. A lot of people have a second freezer with a bunch of frozen meat which can run a few hundred to few thousand dollars. You can't eat it all in a short period of time and you don't want it to spoil.
post 1614464911 08-24-2020, 11:15 AM
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Originally Posted By wincel⏩
Aren't good generators like $20k...?

There's no way you ever break even.
Valid points but also need to consider the comfort factor. Middle of July/August in Houston is brutal. Having your AC out of service for days or weeks at a time from a hurricane sucks.

EDIT: yea he gets it ^
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post 1614465051 08-24-2020, 11:17 AM
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my dad illegally wired up a poverty switch that can connect the whole house to this little portable generator he got. He is a cheap fuk and didnt want to pay the 10k the fully installed ones cost. It would be a pain in the ass though if its still storming, you would basically have to wait until the rain stopped.

it is all electrically safe and he knows what amps he can pull ect, he would have to cut off a decent amount of the circuits because its too small to power everything.

It is kind of dumb though because he has to pull it outside and run it every so often, keep the gas in it fresh ect, and it takes up a lot of room in the garage. he probably wishes he just paid for a permanent one at this point.
post 1614465281 08-24-2020, 11:21 AM
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If you live in a colder climate, I wouldn't recommend, the Generacs tend to freeze up when you need them the most. I bought a 9000 watt and augmented it for gas and then backfed it into my panel, have the generator in a ventilated box with attic fans to keep it cool when running. I can run pretty much most of my house with the 9000, entire setup was about $1,500 total. The ONLY thing it doesn't do compared to the Generac is kick on when the power goes out, no big deal, just walk outside and hook up the cord and it's all good. If you need any more details, let me know.
post 1614465501 08-24-2020, 11:23 AM
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Where I live, power gets knocked out maybe 3-5 times a year. Mostly during bad Noreasters, Hurricanes, or Snow fall, and typically power is out for 3 days at worst. However during Sandy it was almost 11 days I think. Most people here have a small generator just to run their fridges and some small devices. A few people have full home generators, but they are like disgusting rich.

The generator itself should cost about $$4000. You could always run the gas line yourself and it is not that expensive to do. I did it at my house for our barbecue and it was easy AF. Mine was probably about 30ish feet in total in my basement and cost about $250ish. Then you leave a ball valve outside the house, and then flex it with a braided hose which might be $100 in itself. Throw in pouring the cement pad for the generator to sit on, another $100. Generator should come with a transfer switch and I'm no electrician, but if you I had my family friend install it, He'd probably charge me $200 bucks, lunch, and beers to do it. So in total, if I was to do this, I'd probably be able to do the entire thing with a $5000 budget. I'd even build a small hut with ventilation to protect it from the sun/rain.

If you're buying the thing turn-key (which means fully operational) from Costco, you're definitely getting bent over backwards with the cost, with probably a 35%-40% markup on labor alone. As another miscer said, it might be cheaper to locate the generator near the gas supply, and then run the electrical over to the box. I would imagine running a gas line from a plumber would be much more expensive than running a wire from an electrician. However, running gas lines are pretty easy if you know what you are doing, and you know how to test for leaks. If you experience flooding a lot, then you should consider raising the pad for the generator which might run you a decent $300-$400 bucks.

Personally if this was me, I would not do it for the price, and would prefer to just either do it myself, or more likely just buy a gas powered one since it's easier to maintain.
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post 1614465741 08-24-2020, 11:26 AM
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They are not only expensive to purchase and have installed properly... they are expensive AF to operate. I looked into it a few years ago since I live on the Gulf coast and every now and then we get some BS... like now , lolz!!

While it wasn't worth the money to me I do know a few people that have installed them. And when $hit goes down they can still live pretty comfortable. Personally I just wired a Generator inlet box wired into my breaker box allowing me to run a conventional gas generator but through the wiring of my home since its more efficient than an extension cord... of course it wont run the entire house it does allow me to keep the fridge running , some ceiling fans moving air , & a window unit at night
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post 1614465791 08-24-2020, 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted By Drhunglow⏩
Sounds like a wind turbine would be a good idea!

How much more would it be to add some solar?
Hmm never thought of that! I can't afford to lose power. Imagine no power for your phone to watch pron?
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post 1614465821 08-24-2020, 11:27 AM
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Originally Posted By wincel⏩
Aren't good generators like $20k...?

There's no way you ever break even.
its not really an economic decision for peoples houses, youre in PNW, in hurricane zone south its hot and humid as balls, its like in the mid 80s at night, its hard to even sleep if the AC goes out, its for comfort, people buy swimming pools they dont NEED but want, same thing.
post 1614465921 08-24-2020, 11:28 AM
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Originally Posted By elterrible987⏩
its not really an economic decision for peoples houses, youre in PNW, in hurricane zone south its hot and humid as balls, its like in the mid 80s at night, its hard to even sleep if the AC goes out, its for comfort, people buy swimming pools they dont NEED but want, same thing.
just seems pricy...idk it must be economical for some because ppl do buy them
post 1614466321 08-24-2020, 11:32 AM
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Just run it on propane
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I've had one situation in my entire life where we lost power for a period of days. I immediately ran out and bought a $500 or $600 generator.

It ran enough power to keep my fridge, TV, Lights, fans going - I ran power cords through the doggie door, no AC though.

Ie, it was enough to make it live-able for the week. Pretty sure the incremental investment of $8,500 isn't going to give you nearly the bang for the buck that the first $600 does. I suppose if you expect it to happen every year. I've got a generator sitting in my garage just in case, but only needed it once.


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post 1614466951 08-24-2020, 11:38 AM
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Ours just does the living room and kitchen and we use gas. Power goes out often because the weather, having a whole house generator would be cool. At least in the winter we also have fire places. What made you go for a whole house one?
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post 1614467661 08-24-2020, 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted By snailsrus⏩
Ours just does the living room and kitchen and we use gas. Power goes out often because the weather, having a whole house generator would be cool. At least in the winter we also have fire places. What made you go for a whole house one?
I figured might as well as living on the gulf coast is always a concern for hurricanes. Plus got a newborn now and can't just think of myself anymore.
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post 1614468161 08-24-2020, 11:50 AM
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I like the idea of them and your quote seems reasonable. My concern is with natural gas, if sh!t hits the fan (earthquake, tornado, hurricane) - the gas lines are going to be broken from soil shifting and downed tree roots ripping up the infrastructure. If you are more worried about thunderstorms/ice/snow/hacking you are probably fine. There is no financial argument that can be made for it being well spent money unless you have 50 freezers of high quality meat you have to keep cool - but like you said, piece of mind and comfort have value.
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post 1614468791 08-24-2020, 11:55 AM
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You need a Diesel one, gas is as unreliable as your electricity. If it's jist for power outages, get a battery pack at half the cost. If it's 'prepper' kind of purchase, get a diesel one with a 5.000 gallon underground tank. Run your heating system on diesel as well and you'll have a bulletproof system that wil run great for the next 50 years. (both heater and generator can last 50 years easily when doing basic services only)
post 1614469281 08-24-2020, 12:00 PM
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I had that one
Set it up next to my gas, ran a thick cord over to the main
Worked on my 2800 sq ft house, ran the whole thing, reliable as well
We had 2 ac units
Power would go out, generator would kick on and then power the house after a minute

Worth it , we lost power all the time in the north Houston/magnolia area, tons of pine trees
Think I paid 8k
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post 1614469681 08-24-2020, 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted By playerofwar⏩
You need a Diesel one, gas is as unreliable as your electricity. If it's jist for power outages, get a battery pack at half the cost. If it's 'prepper' kind of purchase, get a diesel one with a 5.000 gallon underground tank. Run your heating system on diesel as well and you'll have a bulletproof system that wil run great for the next 50 years. (both heater and generator can last 50 years easily when doing basic services only)
I really like the idea of the tesla ones with the solar roof - you know if it didn't set buildings on fire and stuff. There are always submarine batteries.
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