generator uses 25 gallons of gasoline per day estimates national grid

[buffalobill]

interesting information at national grid: "A generator that is capable of supplying the electrical needs of a household can consume up to 25 gallons of fuel in a 24-hour period. Consider how much fuel needs to be on hand and how it will be stored. Approved containers are a must. It is also important to remember that gasoline is extremely flammable and has a relatively short shelf life. Avoid fire or explosion by refueling the generator in a well-ventilated area, and avoid spilling fuel on hot engine parts." electric company storm safety page is at:

[m Ransley]

Who needs one 24 hrs a day, and that 1 gph figure is for high loads,

3600 rpm, cut your load, and run it when needed. I can show you a Honda that can run my house for 3-5 gallons a day, a load dependant rpm, EU 2000. I guess your next post is how much can your wife spend in a day.

[louie]

That's a LOT of fuel. I think the problem is with people's perception of "needs" vs. "comforts". For example, a fridge, sump pump, well pump, and gas furnace can be run from a single 5500W Coleman as long as they're not running all at the same time. In most cases, there isn't much else in the house that a person NEEDS, at least in the short term. I know for a fact that the 5500W genny didn't use 25 gallons of fuel over a 3 day period. It was actually closer to 10 gallons. The genny was not running continuously, and actually was borrowed for a while by a neighbor too. It's true we didn't have a humongus stereo and big-screen TV running, with electric heaters and all the lights on in the house while we were microwaving TV dinners and surfing the web, but we were warm enough, had running water, a dry basement, and food that wasn't spoiled in the fridge.

[hallerb]

buy a natural gas generator and run only one heavy load at a time.atural gas is very reliable, dual fuel gives you options:)

in a real disaster its unlikely more gasoline will be easily available:(

Buy a 1000 watt power inverter, for minor loads and middle of the nite operation.you wouldnt want a big noisey generator running all nite! rn off your vehicle

[hallerb]

buy a natural gas generator and run only one heavy load at a time.atural gas is very reliable, dual fuel gives you options:)

in a real disaster its unlikely more gasoline will be easily available:(

Buy a 1000 watt power inverter, for minor loads and middle of the nite operation.you wouldnt want a big noisey generator running all nite! rn off your vehicle

[George]

Times have changed. Cousin lives near an upscale area and installs generators (among other things). He says most of his installs are large equipment because people don't want to think about managing anything. So if the utility power is down they can still do whatever they want.

[gfretwell]

One of our friends in rural Charlotte county lived on a generator for over a month after Charley. They call it "feeding the monster".

[hallerb]

No dubt theu run on natural gas. having a 100 gallons or more of gasoline stored at home may not be safe, and besides it wouldnt last long with a full use load. like air conditioning a big home.