Anyone know what I should expect to pay on a back up generator install, complete, on a 1500 square foot house in the DC area?
What size system should I be looking for? Hvac system, lights, dryer and oven are on natural gas, couple of tv’s. Not a lot of draw from what I see.
Thanks
Replies
What about AC?
You need to do a "census" of all of the loads -- lighting (including security lighting), appliances (refrigerators & freezers, especially), HVAC motors, AC compressors, computers, entertainment equipment, etc, decide what's covered and what isn't, add in a decent buffer (I'd say at least 30%) and come up with a figure. (Also look at the "size" of the electric service -- basically the amp rating of the main breakers.)
Then you need to decide whether you want a fully automatic unit, a mostly automatic unit, or a fully manual unit. Gasoline, diesel, or natural gas?
Also look at siting. There are rules about how close the unit can be to a house without a suitable fireproof enclosure, eg, so there may be some cost involved in siting (and your options for fuel may be limited). And, of course, think about how you'll secure the unit against theft/vandalism.
Based on your answers, you could be looking at anywhere from about $3000 to $15,000 or so.
If your biggest load is the fridge and the furnace blower you don't need much of a generator. A small inverter style Honda might be plenty and they are quiet, reliable and efficient. 3kw should do it.
Lowball it like fretwell says.
A couple of $129 Chinese 1.5 kW gensets and $30 worth of extension cords will keep you warm, the TV on, and the addition of one 3 way lighting type switch to the furnace will keep you warm also.
Under $300 total if you DIY the 3 way light switch to the furnace.
I have a Generac Guardian 16KW (for background). I'm assuming you want a fully automatic, gas-fired, automatic-transfer switch setup (many people looking for generators have critical sump pumps, etc.). The generator will come with its own emergency panel and your electrician will move critical circuits from the main panel to the new generator panel.
Work with an electrician who specializes in this work - they will do an assessment of your loads and review other items with you like the material of the generator case (steel or, more expensively aluminum) and similar issues.
While you may be able to get away with, say 10KW, larger models may not be that much more and may offer features that make them appealing - discuss with your supplier.
Keep in mind that you MUST maintain the generator (service contract) which will cost you $300-500/year. If it doesn't start due to a dead battery you've wasted your money.
Probably figure a budget something like:
$3000 - 10 kw generator - http://www.generac.com/Residential/Guardian/Products/Guardian_Series_10_kW/
$2000 - installation
$800 - gas line installation (assuming moderate complexity and adequate capacity of service line)
$600 - concrete pad (you can use composite but concrete preferred)
$300 - permits
So maybe $6500 for 10KW ... up to more like $10000 for 17KW, which would likely be overkill for you - unless you're talking about doing the whole house. You'll find that you need somewhere around 17KW for a full 100-amp load.