Natural disasters, severe weather, and overloaded electrical grids can all cause power outages. With more appliances and everyday living being dependent on electricity, when it goes out it can become a problem. Fridges, freezers, phone chargers, and heaters all typically run on the power grid – when that goes out, it can lead to stressful situations and damage to your property. Food spoils, the internet is cut off, and many mechanical systems that are essential can lead to dangerous situations during a storm or other disaster.
A whole house generator that runs on natural gas can be a lifesaver if the need ever arises and can take the stress out of scrambling during a power outage. There are pros and cons to setting up a whole house generator and our post below tackles everything you need to know.
What is a whole-house generator?
Simply put, a whole house generator is a natural gas-powered system that automatically turns on (and off) if your main electricity ever fails – such as during a power outage.
A whole house system is a stationary fixture, unlike a portable generator. Also known as standby generators, they’re connected to your home or business’ electrical system, along with a fuel source such as propane or natural gas (depending on what works best for your location and house set-up)
Because whole house generators work with propane or natural gas as a source, you do not need to trudge out into the cold during the winter or be worried when you’re not around to refuel the system at any point.
How does a whole house generator work?
The way a whole house generator works is that once the system detects that your main electricity grid has gone down, it will kick on and provide electricity to your home. As soon as the electricity pops back on – the generator will shut itself off. Standby generators are a hands-off system that work automatically on their own, even when you’re not at home.
There are two ‘systems’ within the whole house generator – the generator itself and the ATS (automatic transfer switch). The generator does the bulk of the work, providing power to your home. The ATS is what will start your generator once the power has been sensed to have been shut off. Once the generator is working at full speed, the ATS will cut your home off the power grid and connect it fully to the generator system, which protects your appliances and the grid from power surges or overloaded circuits.
How much does a whole-house generator cost?
The cost for a whole house generator will depend on multiple factors such as site conditions and how large of a generator you need for your home. It’s important to consider your electricity needs, size, and installation complexity.
For the unit and installation, a whole house generator in Canada can be anywhere from $6,000 to $12,000+ depending on the size of generator you need for your home and the hookups involved. The larger the generator and the more kW (kilowatts) you produce, the more expensive it will be. Once you’ve decided on the size of the generator you need, the proposed generator location and placement in relation to the gas source and electrical hookups – the final price will be determined.
Not all homeowners need their generator supporting everything in their home and opt to only have the basics staying on, such as the refrigerator and lights. Others may opt for a larger system that will keep the power on for the entire house and everything in it as if nothing has been disrupted. Over the years the cost of spoiled food, time spent having to rearrange different accommodations, and time lost while working if you work from home can all add up.
Peace of mind can be worth the cost itself. Especially if you live in an area that has frequent power outages or tends to have powerful storms that knock out electricity a few times a year.
What size of generator do I need for my home?
Proper sizing for the generator in your home is the most important part of the process, both for how much power your generator will put out and for the final cost of the build and installation.
A way to determine the size you need for your home, you can get the generator company to help with determining the size, or you can calculate it yourself to get the minimum kW needed to start. You can analyze the electrical loads your appliances output, such as the fridge or air conditioning units. Look at the manufacturer’s data plate and check the starting amperage.
Next, you can use the following formula – (Starting Amps x Volts = Watts) and from there divide the number of Watts by 1,000 to get the kW number you need.
When deciding on a generator output/size – a rule of thumb is 20-25% higher than the peak load. For example, if the total expected wattage is around 20-22 kW, aim for a 27-30 kW generator.
A highly rated generator will output approximately 80% of its full capacity and it’s important to have extra room in case it requires more down the line if the load increases in the future. If you have central air cooling, that will be a significant amount of electrical load on your system. Generators in the 27-36kW range will power most homes easily since they will replace about 75% of the 200 amps coming into your electrical panel.
The process to install a natural gas standby in your home
The process to install a natural gas generator in your home will typically go as follows:
- Determine what size of whole house generator you need and have all the costs, including installation, ready to go with the company of your choosing.
- An ATS will be installed outside in an outdoor-rated enclosed box next to your meter. This is the most popular option OR it can be mounted inside, such as within a porch or garage, providing it follows the service box requirements.
- The generator itself will be hooked up and the fuel sources in place, whether you’ve gone with natural gas or propane. Everything will be checked and monitored to test that it’s all set up correctly – no leaks, no issues. And then your power will be turned back on in its entirety.
- From there – you’re all set! It should be a completely hands-off appliance that allows for better peace of mind, especially during storm seasons or winter seasons.
Electricity back-up plans
When all fails or you want to be extra prepared – having backup electricity plans that are temporary/ “just in case”, are a great idea to have around your home, especially if you live in an area that has frequent storms, winter freezes, or power outages due to other factors.
Portable Generators
As the name implies, portable generators are smaller generators that can help power larger appliances such as fridges during a power outage, so that food doesn’t spoil, as an example.
Portable generators typically run on gasoline and must be used outside and away from all open windows, to decrease any chance of CO (carbon monoxide) in your home. They must be manually started and used safely. They are a good backup plan in case something happens to your whole house generator, or you just require powering a few larger appliances when the power goes out for a significant amount of time.
Solar Panels + Storage
If you live in an area where solar panels would benefit your home well, having solar panels and a storage system for the electricity they contain can be a wonderful alternative and a source of backup power in case it is needed.
Solar panels + storage capacities are increasing in popularity and are becoming more affordable for residential homeowners as the years continue. Environmental use and a lesser carbon footprint along with protecting against electrical grid power outages make solar panels a good economic choice and create back-up power that doesn’t require using other fuels than the sun itself.
Solar power today can power a whole home if the settings are right and if everything has the correct conditions.
Is a whole house generator worth it?
Deciding if a whole house standby generator is worth it will depend entirely on where you live, risk factors such as weather and natural disasters and the frequency they affect your area and electrical grid, cost, and lifestyle.
If your area is, for example, prone to hurricanes, earthquakes, or severe winter storms that knock out power for hours/days/weeks at a time if something does happen during the year – you may want to look into a standby generator for the peace of mind in case it affects your home and power.
Keep in mind that while systems and technicians have gotten better at getting power back up sooner than ever – it can still be an awful issue to have no power for days and weeks at a time during a storm or if a major powerline/system goes down. Camping at home might sound fun for a few hours or an evening, but once it starts affecting your food storage, charging phones, or not being able to work – it can become dangerous fast. Especially during winter or summer when the temperatures are at extremes.
Upfront cost and financing are other factors to consider. Most generator installers/companies will offer affordable financing if you decide to go that way or if you can budget for the entire upfront cost without causing financial hardship is something to talk about and decide. Some homeowners may even have a whole house generator installed to increase the value of their home for reselling down the line.
Whatever your reason for wanting to consider a whole house generator, it is good to have a backup plan for electricity in case the need ever arises from unforeseen circumstances.
