Do they require separate gas lines from the street or can they tap off existing lines? I once heard new line need to be run from the supply line from the street and it can get expensive.

Do they require separate gas lines from the street or can they tap off existing lines? I once heard new line need to be run from the supply line from the street and it can get expensive.

 

No. You tap off of existing service line. 3/4 line is usually sufficient as it will deliver 120,000 btu/hr.

 

 

Don't know on the heat but I have two high efficiency (just replaced them the others were old) 3 and 3.5 ton AC units. I have three heat zones but I don't really use the one in my basement.

 

When I spoke to the electrician I told him I want to be able to run as if nothing happened so he told me 20kw. Although when I'm on generator I get leery and don't run things like normal. I just installed last year and this was the first extended use so I didn't want to chance anything.

 

20kw is way overkill, unless you have an electric stove, electric heating, and electric hot water. A 3.5 ton AC unit will draw about 25 amps, so 2 AC units you will be pulling 50 amps. A 12kw generator will give you 100amps of power, way more than a single family household will ever be using. Even with hairdryers and microwave going.

 

No. You tap off of existing service line. 3/4 line is usually sufficient as it will deliver 120,000 btu/hr.

 

Good...I an pretty sure I have a 1" line

 

 

Good...I an pretty sure I have a 1" line

 

You probably have a 3/4" service line into the meter than 1" after the meter. Either way it will be fine as you have high pressure service in that area.

 

That also poses another problem when you start getting into big generators like 17kw and up. Especially if you have forced hot air heat pulling over a 100,000btu/hr. Oil fired steam heat you can get away with. You might have to upgrade your service line to 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 which starts to become costly.

Here in Pensacola everyone has some type of Genny. I have a 5550 portable, with a transfer switch at my breaker panel. I purchase 75 gallons of gasoline, and keep it in a specialy built shed, in 5 gallons cans. It will burn 5 gallons in 12 hours.

 

Now I can not run everything, but I sure as Heck can run most things. We have two small window air conditioners 6000 btu for cooling the important rooms in the house. A small ceramic heaters to heat, which is hardly ever needed here.

 

But, it does run 220 volt, therefore, the pool can be cleaned and ran, the irrigation well can be used for water. We can have lights everywhere, and run the two refrigerators, and freezer.

 

Therefore, I can run for 7.5 days, completely off grid.

 

At the end of "H" season, I simply burn the gas off in my car.

 

Hope you guys are getting along with each other.

Question?

 

What if the gas line is shutdown or is damaged? How is a natural gas generator going to help? Would not a gasoline or LP gas generator be better?

I actually plan to have a gas generator as a backup to my natural gas generator

I actually plan to have a gas generator as a backup to my natural gas generator

 

Why buy twice ? Just get a decent size tri fuel

I think he was kidding

I don't think he is

 

 

20kw is way overkill, unless you have an electric stove, electric heating, and electric hot water. A 3.5 ton AC unit will draw about 25 amps, so 2 AC units you will be pulling 50 amps. A 12kw generator will give you 100amps of power, way more than a single family household will ever be using. Even with hairdryers and microwave going.

 

That's ok, the price difference in the units wasn't terrible. The install cost the same either way. I told the guy overkill is ok in this case.

Question?

 

What if the gas line is shutdown or is damaged? How is a natural gas generator going to help? Would not a gasoline or LP gas generator be better?

 

What if you can't get gas?

What if you can't get gas?

 

One would think that if one were smart enough to install a whole house generator, one would be smart enough to have enough gasoline or LP gas to run it.

 

 

What if you can't get gas?

 

I had a conversation the other night at work concerning this. Get a stand alone propane tank this way your generator system is completely self reliant. Plus suburban made propane deliveries in my area the day after the storm so getting fuel delivered is an added plus

I had a conversation the other night at work concerning this. Get a stand alone propane tank this way your generator system is completely self reliant. Plus suburban made propane deliveries in my area the day after the storm so getting fuel delivered is an added plus

 

Anyway you slice it or dice it, there is no one perfect solution. You need fuel one way or the other, and their could be a disruption with any type. Then you have storage issues, huge tanks, etc. I have been in Northern NJ for 40 yrs and have never seen a natural gas supply disruption here. The choice for me is easy.

Don't know on the heat but I have two high efficiency (just replaced them the others were old) 3 and 3.5 ton AC units. I have three heat zones but I don't really use the one in my basement.

 

When I spoke to the electrician I told him I want to be able to run as if nothing happened so he told me 20kw. Although when I'm on generator I get leery and don't run things like normal. I just installed last year and this was the first extended use so I didn't want to chance anything.

 

Got you, starting lots of research on this before I pull the trigger. Thanks.

 

 

Got you, starting lots of research on this before I pull the trigger. Thanks.

 

Same here