Whole-house generator FTW

[Croney]

I always rolled my eyes when my stepdad gloated about his whole-house generator. Now that I'm in BR while my mom's in rehab after a fall, I see that his pride was justified.

It's been over 24 hours since power went out and the generator kicked in, and we're toasty warm watching his old Western movies. Generators along the block sound just like snowblowers on the street.

I'm going home to MA today if I can clear the ice coffin off my rental car. I feel so bad for people without power right now. If any neighbors come to our front door we would gladly help, but we're two old people so can't do much outreach.

[ret5hd]

1. I see reports of motels charging $2000+/night...

If you were a republiQon you could be rich!!!

[marble falls]

2. Funny how important that desire to reach out is. I finally have time, tools, resources, ...

... a totally open heart - and a 70-year-old package. If anyone in an area around Marble falls needs a hand or some groceries or blankets or medication delivery I can get around very well with our Freestyle.

[Siwsan]

3. I can control what my generator runs

It's a gas powered generator that I plug in and there's a panel that controls what it powers. I didn't have the power to bedrooms hooked up but concentrated on the kitchen, garage and basement (furnace, well and sump pump, refrigerator and freezer.)

Fortunately, I haven't had an extended outage since the ice storm in 2013.

In retrospect, I wish I had opted for one of those that automatically kicks in if the power goes out. Who knows, maybe I'll 'gift' this generator to my brother, and have one of those installed.

[JenniferJuniper]

4. There won't be any ice on your car,

if it's anywhere central, north or south in MA. It's already 40 degrees here, heading to 45.

[Croney]

5. It's here in the driveway in BR, I have to return it at the airport.

I'm glad MA is warmer!

[JenniferJuniper]

7. Well, that's a different story. It will hit 50 in Boston

So claims Alexa

[whopis01]

6. A friend of mine got one after going without power for weeks in the 2004 hurricanes

It automatically ran for a short period of time once a week. I guess just a diagnostic / keep the machinery running type procedure.

It did that for about 12 years. Until a few days before Irma came through in 2017, when it didn't run and threw some error codes.

Wasn't a big deal to get fixed - but there was absolutely no way of getting someone out to look at it a few days before a hurricane came through. He lost power during it - at least it was only a day or so that time.

My theory is as long as he keeps it in good running order, I don't have anything to worry about from hurricanes. It is a proven hurricane repellent.


(This isn't a knock on whole-house generators. They are fantastic things when you need them. Just a story about my friend's luck or lack thereof).

[MiniMe]

8. I have one, just in case

It's come on a few times, and I have been grateful I got it.

[TheBlackAdder]

9. Keep an eye on that thing because in NJ/NY, with Sandy, people were stealing them out from others.

.

They would sneak onto the property unbolt the unit have it ready to swipe and then make the break.

The homeowners had less than a minute to realize it was being stolen and go out to try and stop them.

Lag bolts don't stop them. My brother out a GPS tracker deep inside his along with a Tile Tracker.

.

[Croney]

10. Interesting. I told him about this and he said it would take

3-4 people with a heavy-duty dolly to move it after disconnecting the hard-piped gas, and since it's visible from the street, he's probably safe. He's going to think about more security, though. Thanks!

[TheBlackAdder]

11. These guys were stealing 7500 -20,000W Generac and others anchored to concrete slabs.

[Croney]

12. Wow! That's his brand.