Comparison Home Stand By Generators

[hr3]

So honestly, how much money did fuel cost some of you to run the larger, whole house permanently installed generators for several days? I'm just curious how much fuel they tend to consume rather than guestimating with no real-world experience with these types of units.

I have an 8kw auto standby system,, and use 1.5 gph under heavy use most times when it's running it about .75 gph. propane.. The last big storm we had I only had 10% in the tank "about 10 gal." lasted 3 days non stop..

 

[K man]

I have no idea cause since I installed my 11 kw Generac generator we haven't had a black out lol. The book says I would use 1.4 gph on 50% and 1.9 gph at 100% so I will have to wait and see when I use it.

 

[Jkott]

I have an 8kw auto standby system,, and use 1.5 gph under heavy use most times when it's running it about .75 gph. propane.. The last big storm we had I only had 10% in the tank "about 10 gal." lasted 3 days non stop..

.75*24*3=54 gallons not 10. 50 is about 10% of my 500 gallon propane tank. But at between $2 and 3/ gal, that three days of electricity cost well over $100. I suppose it's cheaper that a hotel room but generators are not cheap to run 24x7 unless you really need it.

 

[PHPaul]

Get a whole house auto transfer switch gen set. It will not cost much more than pto set up. In bed at 3 in the morning when power goes out. Wake up hear gen set running , go back to sleep no problems. No hooking up, putting fuel in and flipping breakers.
Whole house gen sets is one of those things I will never be without.

^^^This.

I have a 14KW propane fueled Kohler unit. I'm actually very pleased with how easy it is on fuel. I have a 120 gallon (250#) tank hooked to it and it has done weekly tests and three 4+ hour outages without dropping below 70% (80% is "full") in over a year.

 

[K man]

PHPaul consumption is very good. I can't wait to see how my 11kw measures up.

 

[Jkott]

^^^This. I have a 14KW propane fueled Kohler unit. I'm actually very pleased with how easy it is on fuel. I have a 120 gallon (250#) tank hooked to it and it has done weekly tests and three 4+ hour outages without dropping below 70% (80% is "full") in over a year.

120 gal of propane is actually 504 pounds. 10% of your little propane pig is about 12 gallons. How long were your generator tests? 10-15 min? That's 8 to 12 hours of no load running plus 12+ hours of load. Using a other ratings of roughly .75 gph with some load, that's 9 gallons for your outages. That leaves the other 3is hgallons for 12 hours of no load exercises. Seems about right since the gauges are only approximate and vary based on temp.

If comparing burn rates for gas vs propane, remember that propane only has 73% of the energy of a gallon of gasoline.

 

[K man]

If comparing burn rates for gas vs propane, remember that propane only has 73% of the energy of a gallon of gasoline.
True but the other factor is the quietness of the propane generator to the gas and also the emission, smell and the lugging of gallons of gasoline and extension cords. More convenient to have the generator hooked up to a propane cylinder. Maybe it cost more to operate a propane generator but to me it is worth it. I can sit back relax and enjoy the electricity.

 

[MossRoad]

Here's an interesting page on the pros and cons of different generators/fuels, etc... good read.
Generator Fuel, What Generator Fuel is Best

 

[K man]

Very informative website MossRoad so of what I have read I think propane generator is right for where I live on a mountain and very environmental safe, low and clean emission. Thanks

 

[Hunter29]

High speed 3600 RPM diesel engines normally have a 10,000 to 15,000 hour life expectancy with proper maintenance and service under most conditions..

Show me one...