Home Generator Questions?

[tigerscowboy]

You are talking about $2000 savings on generator and switch. By the time you put modules on every electric appliance in the home it’s a wash (maybe more) and you only have partial control over your home.

Even if it would save me $2k on the package I still wouldn’t consider that.

I just wired a 2700sq/ft house with 1-15kw electric heater. Your setup doesn’t work.

This entire thread is discussing all electric homes Mr. Country logic
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Yes. At least $2,000 MINIMUM savings. And it's no where near a wash. It isn't partial control, it's total control. Select the primary objectives and then the secondary and then....

If you want to pursue a level cost debate, please don't refrain from ALL of the associated costs. Start with fuel consumption comparisons. They are not minimal. Assume the unit runs for 3-4 days. ????

IE If the goal is to get to Montana at an avg speed of 70mph, why drive a F250 vs a 4 or 6cyl car? Free to choose, but have reasoning.

Many here have or know somebody that replaced their HVAC and added "tonnage" for no logical or calculated reasoning. We've calculated and replaced systems with higher SEER, lower usage, better performance, and at lower costs. Over and Over. Still, some insist on bigger than they have.

My own Uncle replaced his units and was proud he added another "ton" to each unit. There was no calculated information to base it on. His energy costs didn't improve and the house is still always 74-76*.
Whatever. Happy? Go with it. Saved NOTHING. No efficiency improvement.

As stated, We've installed over 40 natural gas generator units and zero issues. Do it the way you like and be happy. Can't sell me that it's more efficient to the dollar spent.

A good builder or GC should bring some value to the table that includes "value engineering".

$2,000 revised to actual of about $3,000 is real money. That's only the initial installation difference. Then there's the additional cost to operate every time it runs.

I'll see your country logic and raise you an engineering wager.

[Greenheadless]

If you want a true load calculation.
Call your utility company.
Ask them for your peak load demand. They can tell you what day and what hour you were using the most electricity, and for how long.
They can also give you your average demand.

I forgot about this.

This is also a good way to get an estimate of usage when looking to purchase a house.

[Greenheadless]

Yes. At least $2,000 MINIMUM savings. And it's no where near a wash. It isn't partial control, it's total control. Select the primary objectives and then the secondary and then....

If you want to pursue a level debate, please don't refrain from ALL of the associated costs. Start with fuel consumption comparisons.

IE If the goal is to get to Montana at an avg speed of 70mph, why drive a V10 Excursion vs a 4 or 6cyl? Free to choose, but have some reasoning.

Many here have or know somebody that replaced their HVAC and added "tonnage" for no logical or calculated reasoning. We've replaced total systems with higher SEER, lower usage, better performance, and at lower costs. Over and Over. Still, some insist on bigger than they have.

My own Uncle replaced his units and was proud he added another "ton" to each unit. There was no information to base it on. Whatever. You're happy. Go with it. You saved NOTHING.

Might wanna go back and review what OP asked.

I am seriously considering getting a Generac home generator since our power grid is just getting worse and less reliable. What size generator do I need to run all appliances , all electric, for a 2000 sq ft home. Keep in mind it’s usually just me here and I rarely use the I’ve and stove top. Most meals are cooked on pellet grill. One fridge and deep freezer. I think a 14,000 watt would be more than sufficient

In your example, you could do what I am doing. Select loads, portable A/C unit or two, backfed panel with interlock. All this off a 5KW portable generator. But, that is not what OP was looking for advice on.

[tigerscowboy]

i've sized and sold a ton of generators. Sq footage of the home means nothing. The biggest thing is whether your heating sources are gas or electric. I had a 3000 sq ft home get along with a 14kw because everything was gas. They were basically powering refrigerators, lights, and ac.

I've also seen many smaller homes need 24 or 30kw to run everything in the home.

As someone else said, remember that if you don't already have natural gas, add the cost of the propane tank to this project. I'll second johnny d, the kohler is definitely the way to go.

^^^^^
bingo

[steve morton]

I've got a 10k pto driven generator i hook up to my tractor, diesel isn't an issue with an overhead tank 350 gallons.

[FLASH_OUTDOORS]

Yes. At least $2,000 MINIMUM savings. And it's no where near a wash. It isn't partial control, it's total control. Select the primary objectives and then the secondary and then....

If you want to pursue a level cost debate, please don't refrain from ALL of the associated costs. Start with fuel consumption comparisons. They are not minimal. Assume the unit runs for 3-4 days. ????

IE If the goal is to get to Montana at an avg speed of 70mph, why drive a F250 vs a 4 or 6cyl car? Free to choose, but have reasoning.

Many here have or know somebody that replaced their HVAC and added "tonnage" for no logical or calculated reasoning. We've calculated and replaced systems with higher SEER, lower usage, better performance, and at lower costs. Over and Over. Still, some insist on bigger than they have.

My own Uncle replaced his units and was proud he added another "ton" to each unit. There was no calculated information to base it on. His energy costs didn't improve and the house is still always 74-76*.
Whatever. Happy? Go with it. Saved NOTHING. No efficiency improvement.

As stated, We've installed over 40 natural gas generator units and zero issues. Do it the way you like and be happy. Can't sell me that it's more efficient to the dollar spent.

A good builder or GC should bring some value to the table that includes "value engineering".

$2,000 revised to actual of about $3,000 is real money. That's only the initial installation difference. Then there's the additional cost to operate every time it runs.

I'll see your country logic and raise you an engineering wager.

We are talking about an all electric house. Until we find out the kw of the heat we don’t even know if your over engineered design will even work.

His heater is probably 15kw. How will a 10k generator power that?

If it is only a 10kw heater, how will a 10kw generator power that and general lighting?

Get in your Prius and move along


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[BrianL]

We are talking about an all electric house. Until we find out the kw of the heat we don’t even know if your over engineered design will even work.


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But if he is already installing a 250-500 gallon propane tank to run a generator (10kw-25kw) might as well have a second propane heat source. Wouldn't running a propane heater/fireplace be WAY more efficient than using the propane to power a generator to power electric heat strips? I just use the HVAC system fan only to move air, and propane fireplace for heat.

[FLASH_OUTDOORS]

But if he is already installing a 250-500 gallon propane tank to run a generator (10kw-25kw) might as well have a second propane heat source. Wouldn't running a propane heater/fireplace be WAY more efficient than using the propane to power a generator to power electric heat strips? I just use the HVAC system fan only to move air, and propane fireplace for heat.

Y’all are all over complicating this. the OP requested to size a generator to run all appliances and electric heat for the whole house.

[Greenheadless]

Y’all are all over complicating this. the OP requested to size a generator to run all appliances and electric heat for the whole house.

You must be new to TBH.

[FLASH_OUTDOORS]

You must be new to TBH.

Lol


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