We have big enough generators that we don’t have separate panels for circuits being run from the generators. Our automatic transfer switches have two inputs and one output. The two inputs are the Mai s from the power company and the generator while the output goes to the house’s existing panel. Normally, the transfer switch connects the power company mains to the house’s panel. If the power goes out though, the power company’s mains are disconnected and the generator mains are then connected to the panel. How full the panel is doesn’t matter.

We poured our own concrete slabs, purchased the generators from Home Depot, and hired an electrician and plumber to make the connections. The gas company swapped the meters for free. Total cost for the 24kw generators was $8,000 on the house where the electric and gas were right there in the same place, and $10,000 for the house where we put the generator next to the gas meter and had to run 75’ of electrical cable to the panel. That cable was expensive.

We had a 15kw installed about 7 years ago, the price of the unit was almost exactly the same cost as the install.

It was well worth the investment when the power went out for 5 days following a hurricane .

I live in a rural area where a homeowner can do his own work so a buddy and I installed a 24KW Generac and a propane system to run it off of about 8 years ago. Only restrictions I had were the gas company inspected my work and pressure tested my system and they hooked the tank to line and line to generator. Electric people came and pulled meter so we could run power line through the transfer box. My total cost was around $7000 for generator, propane tank, pipe and first fill up. Best investment I ever made.

My ex FIL had one at a couple of their houses (they bought houses faster than most people go through cars, but they could afford it so whatever)

He was an electrician by trade and worked for the large power company in IL so he knew what he was doing.

He had a setup that ran off propane from a tank and was seamless. I remember one time were were up visiting and there was a huge windstorm (on the plains of northern IL, flatlands all around) and the power kept going out. His lights never even flickered.

All I know is what he told me, but he said it was about 20k for the system (I think that included the wiring and everything as well)

FWIW it was a 4 bed, 3.5 bath house with a basement and an additional 4 car garage detached (2 car attached garage as well)

Bumping this again.

Have 1 appt & waiting on a 2nd to schedule, to get quotes for a generator install.

Big storm rolled through N Houston last night & we're about 20 hours in on no power.

Thinking we can have it installed where our pool equipment was put in, there's a gas termination there, and they ran wiring to a new sub-panel at the meter.

Hoping the cost isn't eye-watering.

Trenching, conduit, and wiring is expensive so the shorter the runs the less expensive, but if you're really concerned about noise or it being an eyesore it's up to you. Personally I like white noise I'd sleep right through the generator even if outside my window. Also remember replacing the pool heater line will be expensive too unless you can do a split system and new regulator for pool heater. Companies don't build in additional capacity when running electrical lines or gas lines.

Ideally you should have ran wires when the sub panel was installed to avoid tearing up the yard again, same with running larger gas lines.

I have had two generators installed. Both because insurance company recommended and gave a discount (insurance company wanted power available for heat in the winter and AC in summer, as well as constant power for fire and burglary alarms). First, a 20Kwh natural gas Kohler in NoVa some years ago. Well regarded company took care of permits, interfacing with gas and electrical company. No problems with generator. Was a selling point when I moved in 2020 to SC. When I moved to SC, I was lucky to live where natural gas available to the house. Again, insurance company strongly recommended. Company which specialized in generators, and a Kohler dealer, did a great job of installing and dealing with any code, permitting, and utility companies. Cost in both areas ca $14.5K. Option for internet connectivity which allows the installing companies to monitor startups and shutdowns. Recommend doing research and getting up to speed on what is involved. A lot of electrical work to set up transfer switch and sometimes a new electrical panel.

Sub panel lines were run through the attic.
Pool equip was installed on the side of the house, so no eyesore, and less noise intrusion to the common areas of the house, but will be opposite the headboard of our bed.

Gas line, will have to see if what they ran has the capacity to be used for the pool heater and a genny.

Good things to know, to bring up at the appt.

We have an odd setup & have 4 panels for our electrical (main, sub-main, pool-sub, shed/shop-sub). So, replacing a panel & possibly simplifying wouldn't be a bad thing.

You don't have the easiest set up it sounds like. If you post or email me some pictures of your electrical panel(s), electrical service/meter, and tell me what you want powered and not then I can make some suggestions and give you questions to ask the installer.

Had a couple of friends do it north of Austin at their rural homes. They both did Generac 22kw with the 1k gallon propane tank and install it was roughly $17kish each

Can I ask for feedback from the experts here please as it relates to a 10kw unit. Generac or Kohler

https://www.lowes.com/pd/KOHLER/5013797365

Vs.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Gener...Generator/1001270096

Thanks Mark

Timely bump. Yup…last night’s power outage of 10 1/2 hours got me rethinking this…

We had a Kohler 14kw installed the end of March. We added a 500 gal propane tank, which cost all but $3000, and the total cost for gen, install, tank & 400 gal of propane was under $12K.

So far we've only needed it three times, but a week before it was installed, our power was off for two days. We live in the mountains & our power goes out pretty frequently due to fallen trees.

I sure ain't going to miss hauling the portable generator up from the barn & hooking things up, when the power goes out. It did a good job of running the basic necessities for quite a few years, though.

quote:

Originally posted by erj_pilot:
Timely bump. Yup…last night’s power outage of 10 1/2 hours got me rethinking this…

22 hours without power so far...

Oh dayum!!!

Neighbors across the street got power about 1/2 hr ago, Hoping ours follows soon.

There should be some deals out there
Generac/Honeywell built a bunch of these in the last couple years

I’m sitting on around 300 of them in our warehouse at work.

I’ve been selling the 22kw for around 5400, plus transfer switch around 700 IIRC

A FRIEND HAD ONE INSTALLED AFTER THE LAST BIG HURRICANE. This was sometime ago. He has yet to use it. In addtion to installation there is the maintenance and upkeep cost. Cheaper to stay in a luxury hotel. Kiss the meaat goodbye.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
A FRIEND HAD ONE INSTALLED AFTER THE LAST BIG HURRICANE. This was sometime ago. He has yet to use it. In addtion to installation there is the maintenance and upkeep cost. Cheaper to stay in a luxury hotel. Kiss the meat goodbye.

Hurricanes are not the only threat in Houston where the OP and I live.

For example, the whole house generator saved me a ton of money and stress after Winter Storm Uri. Having a whole house generator meant my furnace was running and every room was the same temperature which prevented pipes from freezing. The people who didn't have one (even the people with portable generators) had pipes burst and plumbing supplies were sold out before the storm ended and remained sold out for weeks. Dealing with insurance was a pain in the ass, and contractors were turning away work left and right. The only people who got their plumbing fixed in a reasonable time either DIY'd or had friend/relative who was a plumber. 100,000+ Texans still didn't have plumbing fixed after 3 months. Even if the insurance paid for a hotel, they were out the money for months and months while they fought for every dime.

Another example, last night over 400,000 people lost power including the OP from a thunderstorm that was way underforecast. It was one of the most violent thunderstorms I've experienced in my dozen years in Texas as it had gusts at Cat 3 hurricane levels. 53,000 people still don't have power 24 hours later and heat index was over 110 today. Since it happened after sunset, none of my neighbors with portable generators had theirs running before going to bed (heck most don't even have gas until a named storm is in the Gulf). I don't miss getting sopping ass sweaty from wheeling out my old portable generator, setting up a window AC, plugging in the fridge, and the whole time wondering if the power is going to come back on 5 minutes after I got it set-up.

My brother has solar and enough batteries for roughly 24 hrs (sans AC) with a Sol-Ark inverter. His power has been out all day today, and his wife did not even know. He called her up and told her to go check the bidet heaters on the toilet seat, and yep, that convinced her that the power was actually out. (The bidets are one of the things not powered during outages). His inverter switches to battery backup so quickly that you cannot perceive the change. It sends a notification to his phone when the power goes to backup.

If I can get one of my extra 15Kva Kubota diesel sets back to him and he can get the solar inverter to control it, he would certainly be in high cotton. The generator would only come on when the batteries get low and the sun is down, and it would run it hard to charge batteries and then shut it off again. That would be the way to go if power is out all the time. Very fuel efficient. I have to go out to my generator and start it up and throw a manual transfer switch, and then the generator is often at a fraction of its capacity. Not the most convenient, but better than having to haul out a portable.

I'm not that big of a solar fan, but the combination of solar+fancy inverter+battery+generator is a potent combination. The only thing better would be to have your own pond with a personal hydro setup.