

Depending on your unit, the switch may transfer control to a separate breaker panel that sends electricity to the circuits you’ve chosen to power.
#Home generator generator#
Permanent standby generators use an automatic transfer switch that detects a power outage and starts the generator automatically.
#Home generator install#
īefore You Install a Permanent Generator…Ĭonsider these factors before installing a permanent standby generator: Electrical Connections


Natural gas is our top pick, with propane next, and diesel third. With a natural gas-powered permanent generator, you will be able to keep your power running through almost any situation. Natural gas burns cleanly and supplies of it are rarely affected by natural disasters or storms. While it is not as energy efficient as diesel fuel, it is great to use for a standby generator since you will have a stable supply of fuel on hand. Home storage tanks can range in size from 100-1000 gallons, so having enough on hand to fuel your generator should not be an issue. Propane gas is safe, easy to store, and clean-burning. If you want more than a day’s supply of fuel for a standby generator, you will need to install an external tank that holds the fuel.ĭiesel is less common for home applications but is worth considering if you don’t have access to propane or natural gas. Here are some other fueling options to consider:ĭiesel is more stable and less volatile than gasoline and generally an efficient fuel source. Gasoline is hard to store due to its high volatility and it can deteriorate over time, making the gasoline you stored useless in a year or two.
#Home generator portable#
Gasoline is the most common fuel to power portable generators, but it is a poor choice for whole-house generators. In the event of a natural disaster or weather event, fuel supplies may be limited or unavailable, so you will need to consider which kind of fuel you want to run your generator with. There are four types of fuel that are usually used to fuel a permanent backup generator including gasoline, diesel, propane (LP), and natural gas. The more appliances and devices that you want to power,įeatured > How Permanent Backup Generators Work When installing a permanent generator you need an idea of its capacity. Call us today for a consultation- (407) 329-9808 If you are unsure of what size and capacity of generator that you need, our electricians at Frank Gay Services will be able to determine what generator will best fit your needs. HVAC systems and furnaces require quite a bit more power-for a medium-sized home you may need a generator with a 20-22 kW capacity. If you only need to keep a few lights on or power your fridge and freezer, a 5-10 kW generator should be sufficient. Generally, portable generators produce around 2kW to 4kW while a 20kW rating is very common for a whole-home permanent generator since they are designed to power your entire home. The more appliances and devices that you want to power, the more capacity you will need. A thousand watts is called a kilowatt (kW) so a 10kW generator will produce 10,000 watts of power. Generators are rated by the number of watts that they can produce. One of the most important considerations when installing a permanent generator is capacity. Our local electrical experts will help you make sure you’re getting the best generator for your home. If you are considering purchasing a whole-home permanent generato r, keep the following tips from Frank Gay Services in mind. Standby generators can provide enough power to operate your home’s most important appliances to keep you and your family safe and comfortable. Mechanical problems, hurricanes, flooding, and other weather events can cause extended power outages, plunging your home into darkness for hours, days, or even weeks.
