Having a whole house generator means you’ll never run out of fuel for your home. However, you will want to make sure you have enough gas to keep it running. If you don’t have a lot of gas, you’ll have to find a place to refill. In order to avoid this, you should have a gas line installed at your home.
Propane or natural gas?
Propane and natural gas have many things in common. If you’re looking to power up your house during a power outage, it’s best to do some research to see which fuel type is right for you.
Natural gas is a good option for most residential applications. It’s cheap, clean, and available. However, it requires infrastructure.
Propane on the other hand is available on demand, but it’s also more expensive. A gallon costs about $2.50 and a tank of propane can be as large as a thousand gallons. So, you’ll want to plan ahead and store it far from your house.
The energy density of liquid propane is greater than that of gasoline. While not as high as natural gas, it’s still a good fuel to have on hand.
Unlike natural gas, it doesn’t have the smell of burning gasoline. This is a big plus for propane, which is a hydrocarbon.
Natural gas is a lot cleaner than propane, but it does have some disadvantages. One of them is that it can be difficult to find leaks, which can lead to damage to your home.
Sound-attenuated enclosures
Sound-attenuated enclosures are a great way to reduce the noise of your generator. These are enclosed spaces around your generator, providing protection from the weather. They can also help with ventilation and provide an extra layer of insulation for your equipment.
If your generator set is located near the neighborhood, it’s important to reduce the amount of noise. This can be done by using sound-absorbing materials, such as acoustic foam, and an exhaust silencer. Exhaust silencers are available in several different grades, and can be used in combination with an acoustic barrier.
The level of sound attenuation you need depends on several factors. Consider local regulations and weather conditions. Choose an enclosure that can be installed on your property. Most outdoor generator enclosures will have at least 10 dB(A) of attenuation. A standard Level-3 enclosure will reduce noise by fourteen dB(A).
In addition to reducing the overall noise, acoustic barriers can help with low-frequency noise. Rigid barriers such as concrete-filled block walls are good at controlling this type of noise.
Load management
Load management is not a new concept, but it is one that has been around for a while. A load management system allows users to control which loads are added, and when. This may prove beneficial for power plants that want to achieve a higher capacity factor.
Load management also means reducing the size of the generator. A whole house generator is a good example of this. Whole house generators can run on natural gas or liquid propane.
Load management is an important component of any standby power system. It may be a simple matter of a transfer switch and an electrician, or a much more involved process. Depending on the location, the installation might involve building permits.
The best part is you don’t have to wait for your power to go out to enjoy the benefits of a home backup generator. Unlike the typical generator which requires a tank of fuel and a large fuel line, a whole house generator has all of these features already installed.
Costs
A whole house generator can help you keep your home operating in the event of a power outage. These generators can run lights, water heaters, and air conditioning. They usually come in a range of sizes, from 6 kW to 20 kW.
The costs of a whole house generator are based on several factors. This includes the size of the generator, its fuel type, and installation costs.
Natural gas and propane are two options. Propane is less expensive than natural gas, but not as efficient. Gasoline generators are also available. However, they tend to be more expensive.
Whole house generators that run on gas are typically hooked up to the city’s gas grid. It’s important to have a professional do this.
Depending on the size of the generator and your location, you may need to purchase a permit. Prices vary by region. In New York City, for instance, installation prices can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.