How big a generator to run a home?

JU

I guess if you were in a high outage area or a storm area then it would be of benifit.

Most utilitys accross the country will not allow the use of a manual disconect switch as they want to make sure there lines are not charged when they send out there repairmen. AS stated the auto disconects are expensive. Here in AZ it's a $10k fine if you get caught with charging a utility line, and jail time if it hurts a lineman.

My neighbor set up a China diesel 17kw genset with auto disconnect. I believe his total cost was $15k with him doing the labor. It was $8k for the genset plus $2k spare parts delivered. The auto disconect switch was $1200. The rest was misc install parts with permits and Utility inspection.

We lost power for 5hrs total last year and 5hrs this year so far, about 10hrs total this year if it's a typical year.

A small gentset with extensions cords is more cost effective for us as it doesn't require permits or the install costs. That said we lost a side x side with a full freezer last year when we went elk hunting. We had a brown out that flipped the main breaker. What a mess to come home too as it had been off for 2wks. Cost about $1000 to replace the freezer (odor) and meat.

T_Bone

Don't forget your high draw necessities such as the well pump if you are on a well.

If your power outages are generally short in duration, you could live with a smaller unit and forgo some lof the lights, and other extras, but buy the biggest you can afford. As others have noted, they last longer and run better and consume lots less fuel if not loaded up all the time.

Charles

When you wire your switch, the first breaker in the switch should be the highest starting current draw and then down to the lowest. You then throw switch #1 first, wait a few seconds, then the others in order. Automatic switches can be set to do this.

Do take their advice about getting a larger unit than you need. You will forget lots of loads and need some growth room anyway. Examples: a battery charger, lights in the area where the genset will be, TV, SAT, etc. Also, if you run gensets at less than about 75% of their capacity, they burn lots less fuel and last a lot longer.

However, for the loads you mention, a 15KW unit should be more than adequate. 4 - 8KW should power the furnace, refrigerator, and freezer, leaving the rest of the 15KW for lights and reserve capacity when on of the appliance motors starts.

Usually you get what you pay for look at the specs carefully.