A whole house generator enclosure can protect your generator from rain, snow, people, and other environmental hazards. It also helps to keep noise levels down, especially if you live in an area with noise ordinances.
An enclosure that’s adequately ventilated and equipped with a soundproof baffle box can cut down on generator noise by 50% or more.
Ventilation
Proper ventilation keeps the air in your home fresh and healthy by removing pollution from the indoor air. It can also help keep your air conditioned and reduce the risk of a buildup of carbon monoxide.
Ventilation can be natural, mechanical or a combination of both. In mechanical ventilation, the stale indoor air is exchanged for fresh outdoor air and the clean, filtered air is withdrawn from the space (and sometimes through the use of an exhaust fan).
A whole house generator enclosure should be well ventilated to regulate the room temperature and to prevent your engines and other equipment from overheating. It should be sized appropriately to ensure the air is cooled and oxygenated properly, and cutouts should be built in the enclosure for ventilation fans that will pull air in and out of the space.
Because gas generators are very loud, you’ll want to insulate your enclosure as best you can. This will muffle the sound and keep you and your neighbors safe from the noise.
Soundproofing
Soundproofing can be a great way to help reduce noise. It can help prevent unwanted sounds from entering a room, especially in areas where the neighbors are noisy or if there is a lot of traffic.
It can also be helpful to reduce sounds that are escaping through holes and gaps in walls, floors or roofs. It is important to know how much sound is coming through in order to determine the best way to block it.
Deflection of sound is achieved by adding mass and density to a structure like a wall, floor or ceiling. This can be done with concrete or dense finishing boards such as ply, OSB or drywall.
It is also possible to add more than one layer of sound-damping material to a generator enclosure. This is particularly useful if the generator will be stored for long periods of time.
Versatility
The right whole house generator can provide a lifetime of reliable backup power for you and your family. This is especially true if you live in a cold or hardy climate where frequent power outages can be devastating to your health and well-being.
There are several factors to consider when determining what whole house generator will best suit your needs, from the size of your home to the number of circuits needed. The best way to determine which whole house generator is the most appropriate for you is to consult with an expert.
The most important feature of any whole house generator is safety. This includes an enclosure that is sized appropriately for your application, proper ventilation and a generator that’s built to last. Luckily, there are many options out there to choose from. Some even come with a transfer switch that automatically turns on and off your home backup generator and connects it to your utility line as needed.
Safety
Safety is one of the most important considerations when building a whole house generator enclosure. In addition to ensuring your equipment works safely, the right enclosure can also protect you and your property from wildlife, rodents, and other threats.
Many new generators include carbon monoxide (CO) safety technology that turns the unit off if CO levels climb too high. CR recommends only generators with this life-saving feature.
Another major safety feature is an automatic transfer switch, which keeps the public utility and backup generator circuits always separate. This helps keep your home and family safe, says a CPSC spokesperson.
A generator enclosure can help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, which is the leading cause of death and injury in generators. It can also help prevent fires, because generators give off toxic fumes that can be hard to detect.