With residential automatic backup generator systems, stop suffering through multi-day Lower Merion power outages
Lower Merion power outages have had many businesses and residents considering standby power sources, such as an automatic backup generator or solar PV with battery backup, for some years.
Now, with a string of record storms like Sandy and Irene in recent years, they are increasingly turning to automatic standby generators fueled by relatively reliable natural-gas service, or off-grid propane tanks for customers who have constricted gas supplies insufficient to power a larger generator, or no gas supply at all. Automatic backup generators install permanently outside the home, self-monitor and self-exercise to ensure readiness in the event of a power outage, and typically require only minimal annual maintenance checkups and bi-annual filter and oil service.
Most households can be served adequately by generators ranging in capacity from a small 7kW, up to 20kW or bigger. Installed cost may range from $2,500 to $6,000. The marginal cost for more power capacity beyond the first 7kW is relatively low. Contact Robert Monk at PhillyLicensedElectrician today for a free estimate, consultation and price quote
What size generator do I need?
Adequate size depends first on whether the customer wants backup power to supply all loads in the home, or only a subset of ‘critical loads’ such as refrigerators, gas heating system control and circulation circuits, and basic lighting and security circuits. A 7kW generator can meet these loads for most homes. Most single-family homes should be able to operate a modified full backup with generators of capacity from 14kW to 20kW.
Over the course of a month or a year, average household consumption might be around 1kW – 5kW, but peaks involving electric cooking appliances, pool heaters/pumps, and electric heat pumps for home heating or cooling, could easily push short-term peak consumption well over 20kW.
Load shedding for big peak-consumption appliances can keep your capacity requirements reasonable
A load shedding scheme may be advisable to allow full backup, without needing a 40kW generator, for homes running more than one large electric appliance (dryers, ranges/ovens, water heaters, HVAC equipment); or to allow a low-power household to get by with a relatively small generator.
Load shedding assigns non-essential, high-power loads to a shedding protocol. When the generator starts to take over after a grid outage, the shedding loads remain off until the backup system determines it has spare capacity to meet additional load. The automatic management system adds loads according to priority, until capacity is reached. If the generator is powering all loads and a member of the household manually turns on excess load (turning on a blow dryer, perhaps), then the system cuts out loads on the shedding protocol, adding them back one at a time as capacity allows.
Typically, candidates for load shedding include HVAC compressors, pool pumps, and any high-power equipment already operated by low voltage control circuits (timers, sensors, thermostats, etc.) into which the backup generator load management system can integrate. Any load may be integrated into the load management system by use of add-on relay contactors that operate the power circuit directly.
7kW Generac CorePower generator has a small foot-print of about 3.5 sf
See also:
- 2012 Electrical costs guide — backup generators
- Options for residential emergency power
- 7kW critical loads generator in Lower Merion, PA
- 20kW whole-house generator in Villanova, PA
Licensed Electrician Robert Monk 7kW-20kW automatic backup generator systems for whole house power Copyright Robert Monk, 2012
Source: http://www.phillylicensedelectrician.com/20kw-automatic-backup-generator-systems-whole-house/
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