whole house backup generator quote

Air-conditioning. While our neighbors swelter in the dark, we're watching movies in cool comfort. There are still thousands of people whose power has been out since storms rolled through here on Wednesday.

We installed a generator about 10 years ago, and it didn't cost anywhere near that. We did the work ourselves; I'm sure the whole job was around $5000. Granted, prices have risen considerably since then. However, my husband tells me that we could buy a considerably more powerful generator today for about the same price as the one we got back then.

This was a 4 or 8 kW Generac, installed relatively near the gas meter, so we just T'd off of it (and converted the grill from propane to natural gas while we were at it). Also close to the electric meter, so not a lot of copper was required to make that connection.

I'd have to ferret out the manual to find out how much power the generator puts out; it's just not worth it at 5 am for a simple Usenet discussion.

That's the problem, it sure looks very high, but we don't know the essentials, like running a nat gas line? How far? Fuel tank for diesel?

Is it safe to bet natural gas companies have their own backup generators to maintain pressure if there is a long electrical outage?

It was a swipe at T, not a general criticism of electricity. Some of my best friends have electricity.

Good for you. (Did you get an electical permit?)

If I lose power for a short time, I'll take refuge in my car. If for too long, I'll take another trip. Hopefully Erie Pennsylvania will still have electricity.

Absolutely. My husband is on excellent terms with the inspectors in our township.

I won't be turfed out of my house just because my local power company is sloppy about tree trimming.

I have never know of a natural gas outage in my entire lifetime. Does not mean it can't happen though.