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how easy is it to connect a generator to the Electrics? or do I need an electrican to install? also, how much does a reasonable generator cost to purchase? thanks in advance
A real generator will cost you a few thousand bucks, and another thousand for the electrician. This would be one that would light most of your house, provide AC, and come on automatically, with natural or LP gas feed.
You want to make sure that your generator does not put current into the power grid and kill the guy who is trying to repair the power lines.
You also don't want to run a little generator where combustion fumes will leak into the home and asphyxiate you. Keep it out of the garage or carport. People are killed every major power outage by carbon monoxide.
The small generators that you see at Lowe's and Homer are not meant for computers, and other electronics, or for running much of a home system like AC, electric heat, cooking, etc.
I agree completely. Unless you're on life support, or your freezer is stocked up with a huge quantity of filet mignon, the cost of a generator just isn't worth it. If your power goes out, go read a book or something! You can live without American Idol for one night!
For those of you who have a freezer stocked with a huge quantity of filet mignon, when the hurricane strikes, I will be right there with my traveling weber to help you out.
Have no fear, Liz is here.
Our generator cost $6800 installed and can run pretty much everything in our house (4000 sq ft) from a/c units to the computers to the washer and dryer. It runs off natural gas so there is no propane to fill up. We needed a permit from the city of Cary to install it and a licensed electrician and plumber to hook it all up. We are very happy we have it and hope we never have to use it. But, we'd rather be comfy than sorry!
Back to one of the first questions you asked.
The evacuation signs that you see are for the nuclear plant, in case of an emergency there. They had to post them within a certain milage of the plant.
I don't think they have anything to do with hurricanes and such.
In our neighborhood in Pennsylvania, a couple died last year from the fumes from a generator in their garage. Please be careful!
that is the problem with the Home Depot/Lowe's generators that run on gasoline. Hopefully those who do buy those generators READ the manuals they come with and use them safely. Ours is the size of an air conditioner and is safely outside of the house next to the air conditioners.
A real generator will cost you a few thousand bucks, and another thousand for the electrician. This would be one that would light most of your house, provide AC, and come on automatically, with natural or LP gas feed.
You want to make sure that your generator does not put current into the power grid and kill the guy who is trying to repair the power lines.
You also don't want to run a little generator where combustion fumes will leak into the home and asphyxiate you. Keep it out of the garage or carport. People are killed every major power outage by carbon monoxide.
The small generators that you see at Lowe's and Homer are not meant for computers, and other electronics, or for running much of a home system like AC, electric heat, cooking, etc.
thanks for the excellent info - I guess it will be a smallone from Lowes for lights only!!
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