Generac generator inputs? reliable / reputable installers? (1 Viewer)

[KyleH]

I seem a little too late on this kind of stuff, but I noticed in past discussions, generators have come up. I just lost power at 2am, I hear my next door neighbor's generac kick on, and I wished I got one. ha! (I just got an automated call suggesting that the power may be back on at 10:50am, man...)

I picked up a small gas powered generator on ebay years before the hurricanes. However, after hearing that some of my other neighbors spent about $100/day in gasoline to keep theirs running for the refrigerator, fans, and TV (no A/C), I realize that I do not have anything in my house that needs to be saved for $100/day during that 2 weeks (not to mention gasoline was scarce). On the other hand, I read that with Houston's gas prices, a home gas-powered generator like a generac costs about $2.50-$3.00/hour to run (which would be running the main A/C unit) that sounds more reasonable.

Anyway, I checked online and there seems to be great reviews on the generac 7kw setup generator that autostarts for the home. But, pricing is very low key. The unit itself is about $1750-2000 (amazon, home depot, etc), which sounds tempting, but people have said they have gotten quotes to install it from $3k-8k. (which seems like a gouging rate). A generac installer posted on a website that he did his for just an extra $350. in parts and connected the gas and electricity by himself.

I don't mind looking into paying professionals, but like anyone, I don't want to be gouged. Especially on something for a "hobby" to power my nano tank and the A/C. With potential benefit for the rest of house...

Has anyone been known to get a generac installed for under $3-5k with the unit? Does anyone have a good generac installer to recommend? Or, have a better recommendation?

(Although, if life gets extreme and we have another big storm, the good thing about having the neighbor right next to me, is that I would be able draw up an extension cord and use it for the pumps on the fish tanks. ha!)

-Kyle

 

[flexrac]

if you buy from lowes or hd, you can hire them to do it.

 

[tektite]

Great timing on this thread, I too am looking into getting a generac very soon. Couple days ago had a power outage out of the blue (no storm or anything) for a few hours. Ended up losing my seahorse fry but everything else was fine. Looking into the company Generator Power Systems, LLC. They have great reviews online, going to have them come out and give a quote soon.

 

[flipside]

I've never done this, but plan to one of these days. For now, I have a portable Honeywell, that I believe is rated at 5500. It hasn't run since Hurricane Ike... I haven't even serviced it. LOL!

That price for install may seem kind of high, but you have to consider the work required to set it up. There's the initial install of the unit, tying it into your natural gas feed, then hooking up the automatic transfer switch (ATS) that ties into your main breaker panel... so, it's not as simple as most would think. I'm sure I left a few more details, but those are the main components.

I work in telecommunications and all of our telecom sites have back up generators and UPS. Just servicing these generators and ATS' are a huge deal, so $3-5K doesn't seem like that much to me... but that could just be me because I'm used-to it.

7kw, for the entire load of a home seems a little under-powered though... I would want double that for my home, especially with a reef setup(s).

 

[tektite]

Don't forget peripheral stuff like permits if necessary.

 

[steveb]

I seem a little too late on this kind of stuff, but I noticed in past discussions, generators have come up. I just lost power at 2am, I hear my next door neighbor's generac kick on, and I wished I got one. ha! (I just got an automated call suggesting that the power may be back on at 10:50am, man...)

I picked up a small gas powered generator on ebay years before the hurricanes. However, after hearing that some of my other neighbors spent about $100/day in gasoline to keep theirs running for the refrigerator, fans, and TV (no A/C), I realize that I do not have anything in my house that needs to be saved for $100/day during that 2 weeks (not to mention gasoline was scarce). On the other hand, I read that with Houston's gas prices, a home gas-powered generator like a generac costs about $2.50-$3.00/hour to run (which would be running the main A/C unit) that sounds more reasonable.

Anyway, I checked online and there seems to be great reviews on the generac 7kw setup generator that autostarts for the home. But, pricing is very low key. The unit itself is about $1750-2000 (amazon, home depot, etc), which sounds tempting, but people have said they have gotten quotes to install it from $3k-8k. (which seems like a gouging rate). A generac installer posted on a website that he did his for just an extra $350. in parts and connected the gas and electricity by himself.

I don't mind looking into paying professionals, but like anyone, I don't want to be gouged. Especially on something for a "hobby" to power my nano tank and the A/C. With potential benefit for the rest of house...

Has anyone been known to get a generac installed for under $3-5k with the unit? Does anyone have a good generac installer to recommend? Or, have a better recommendation?

(Although, if life gets extreme and we have another big storm, the good thing about having the neighbor right next to me, is that I would be able draw up an extension cord and use it for the pumps on the fish tanks. ha!)

-Kyle

I don't remember exactly but last year I was quoted in the 10k-11k neighborhood for the 20kw generator. One of the things that irked me was they where not even using the Nexus Smart Switch ATS. They where using one of the older move all of your "critical load" circuits to this box style ATS.

 

[KyleH]

I agree, the 7kw is very low. Also, if the installation is going to be $3k, upgrading to 10kw or higher, may not cost that much more, relatively speaking.

I personally also like the convenience, of everything just there and ready to go and capable of being left outdoors--no need to connect the electrical in the dark or rain, or run to the gas station to fill up some tanks that will (or will not be) used. Although, I hear that some have gotten a multi-fuel compatible generator capable of using the home's gas with a $350. or so attachment kit.

However, I think the recommendation for 7kw was 1 a/c unit, a refrigerator, small tv/radio, and some lights. Nothing too extravagant. I have low power usage in a 1900sq ft home--$50/winter and $125/summer; so I think I can get by. I am even thinking using the window a/c unit in a single room and turn off the main a/c if I had to be in for more than 1 day. I will not be *that* guy on the block where everyone has no power and he has all of his lights in every room turned on with loud music and a/c running with doors open.

Tektite, let me know with a post or pm on what they quote(s) you. Also, if it comes up in conversation, I would also be intersted on how your quotes compares to other sizes such as the 7kw.

-KyleH

I've never done this, but plan to one of these days. For now, I have a portable Honeywell, that I believe is rated at 5500. It hasn't run since Hurricane Ike... I haven't even serviced it. LOL!

That price for install may seem kind of high, but you have to consider the work required to set it up. There's the initial install of the unit, tying it into your natural gas feed, then hooking up the automatic transfer switch (ATS) that ties into your main breaker panel... so, it's not as simple as most would think. I'm sure I left a few more details, but those are the main components.

I work in telecommunications and all of our telecom sites have back up generators and UPS. Just servicing these generators and ATS' are a huge deal, so $3-5K doesn't seem like that much to me... but that could just be me because I'm used-to it.

7kw, for the entire load of a home seems a little under-powered though... I would want double that for my home, especially with a reef setup(s).

 

[tektite]

Sure, no problem. I'm looking more for something to just power the downstairs A/C, fridge, and fishroom so not looking for too big of a generator myself.

 

[steveb]

I know the largest component of mine was the labor. I think the price difference between the 17kw and 20kw was around a thousand dollars.

 

[steveb]

Sure, no problem. I'm looking more for something to just power the downstairs A/C, fridge, and fishroom so not looking for too big of a generator myself.

When we had them come do an "analysis" on ours (4.5 ton downstairs A/C, 2 refrigerators, the fish room (1kw in MH, 14btu portable A/C, 2 reeflo darts), the 400 gallon tank components and some of the lights in the house) it came out to 18kw. They have to size for startup current and I forget a few other things.

 

[tektite]

When we had them come do an "analysis" on ours (4.5 ton downstairs A/C, 2 refrigerators, the fish room (1kw in MH, 14btu portable A/C, 2 reeflo darts), the 400 gallon tank components and some of the lights in the house) it came out to 18kw. They have to size for startup current and I forget a few other things.

Ah, good point. That's a bit more than I was expecting though. I wonder what the guy's going to say when he sees the fishroom, lol.

 

[jefft72]

This is something that I am interested in also and would be curious as to total cost involved. I am hoping that having my gas line/meter and main power on the same wall outside will simplify installation.

 

[inigomontoya]

Every time we have a storm I start thinking about this too. Looked into some nicer portable units, the Champion for $900 at Costco is pretty good http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...=1&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1 , but the gas hassle is a definite factor. Keep thinking with as much as I have sunk into livestock for the tank it is looking more and more like a good idea to do something.
Please post, as much as comfortable, the details on your quotes- would be helpful to those of us on the fence.

 

[trb]

I've thought about it too, but for now I'll just get along with my power inverter hooked to my car battery. I used a tank of gas running my car to power my tank pumps, a couple of fans, TV and satellite and laptop during Ike and it worked OK. But it sure would be nice to have AC and a refrigerator if needed. Maybe in a couple of years.

If you have a good portable generator, you can get the natural gas conversion kits for them so you don't have to use regular gas all the time. But you still have all the manual setup, and plugging in of what you want to run.

 

[BigRick]

I keep wanting to do thistle's also. Maybe we can get a group purchase. Most people will need between a 12-15k on average if you're wanting to run your home a/c and fridge. Also natural gas cost way way more then gasoline. I've heard people have anywhere from 700-1400 per week during Ike. If a major hurricane or earthquake happened the chances are the gas will be cutoff to prevent leaks

 

[steveb]

So far knock on wood we have never lost NG or H2O. Only electricity for 2 weeks this past time and a week during the other hurricane.

 

[reeftopia]

Put in a generac 17kw last summerand its has come on 4 or 5 times. Once last summer when it was 100+ out for 3 hrs with my tanks outside sure happy to hear it come on. Couple weeks back were out shopping a neighbor called said elect had been out for hrs no problem come home like nothing had happened.

 

[steveb]

David,

Who did your install?

 

[BigRick]

+1 A generac 17KW is what I am looking at getting installed

 

[reeftopia]

Had a friend install mine will have to look to see what he charged. seems like he charged me a couple of grand. If any one decides to buy a 17 kw I can save them $500. I origanally bought an inside breaker box but there wasnt room for it and then had to buy a outside breaker box. prewired breaker boxes are $800 got a brand new one for $300 sitting here.