Powering your home during power outages

[Ray Clark]

We have a 22KW generator that supplies power to one of our two house breaker panels. The generator is propane fueled since we do not have natural gas service. Heat pump over propane aux burner is how we heat the house in the winter (Iowa climate). We have a 1000 gallon propane tank.

With care, we can operate as normal (AC or heat as the season dictates, well water, most lighting circuits, refrigerators and freezer, and the shop does have power to keep it heated in the winter).

We had several outages this year with all of the severe weather. The longest outage was 21 hours. I'm glad I don't have to mess with gasoline. The automated nature of the backup generator means I don't have to be concerned about my wife dealing with it if I'm not home when the outage occurs.

 

[Lost But Happy]

We have a 22KW generator that supplies power to one of our two house breaker panels. The generator is propane fueled since we do not have natural gas service. Heat pump over propane aux burner is how we heat the house in the winter (Iowa climate). We have a 1000 gallon propane tank.

With care, we can operate as normal (AC or heat as the season dictates, well water, most lighting circuits, refrigerators and freezer, and the shop does have power to keep it heated in the winter).

We had several outages this year with all of the severe weather. The longest outage was 21 hours. I'm glad I don't have to mess with gasoline. The automated nature of the backup generator means I don't have to be concerned about my wife dealing with it if I'm not home when the outage occurs.

Forgot to mention we have the auto transfer panel as well. Very nice feature and well worth the extra coin.

 

[moedelawn]

We just lost power from hurricane Francine for a few days and I used a 6 kw light tower. It’s has a 1800 rpm Kubota. I installed an easy start on my ac (3 ton) it ran it with no problems. I don’t have NG in my neighborhood and didn’t want a propane tank. I can run 1 220 device at a time along with freezers refrigerators lights etc. I burned 8 gallons a day running nonstop. It has 30 gallons built in and I had 55 gallons extra. I’ll use the diesel at my camp so it won’t go bad. The only downside is its not automatic and the led lights flicker a lot. The regular bulbs didn’t. I installed some amp gauges to monitor the amount of draw. The unit is quieter than the neighbors gas 5500 watt unit

 

[thill]

When I first moved to Washington there was a huge ice and wind storm in the Pacific Northwest. Power was out in several states. Being in a rural area our house had no power for three weeks and intermittent power for another six weeks.

I installed a 240V outlet at the panel, shut off the main breakers and back fed the house with a 6kW generator. It wasn’t ideal but we could run the fridge, a few lights and watch TV. Fortunately the furnace was propane.

I had similar incidents at my remote log cabin in California. No power for two weeks.

Funny that this topic came up. The power is out right now. I’m out for a bourbon and a sandwich. Cheers!

That sounds like us here. Pick up some gas while you are out. Hopefully, it will be back on soon.

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

I don't how long my generator will really run on it's 7-gallon tank. Knowing that will tell me how long my 18-gallon auxiliary tank will last. Between the 2 tank I'll have 25 gallons. I have to count all of my gas cans. I will report back.

When I add up all of my approved fuel containers I can have 140 gallons of fuel.

 

[Pianobluz]

I have a 9400 w gas generator that I back feed into my electrical panel. I have a separate breaker for this generator and it will theoretically power the whole house including HVAC. In the event of a power outage, I have to shut off the main breaker in the house to avoid backfeeding electrical power to the grid. I had this box installed so I can plug directly into the house via a 40-ft electrical connection. As long as I have gas, I can power my home for as long as I need.
For a shorter power outage duration, I had this Bluetti 3000 W Inverter with 2 3000 watt lithium ion batteries.
With this I can power essentials for a few days.
If needed, I can recharge with 2 800 watt solar panels.
I hope to never have to use any of it.

 

[Crazyboat]

I have a 9400 w gas generator that I back feed into my electrical panel. I have a separate breaker for this generator and it will theoretically power the whole house including HVAC. In the event of a power outage, I have to shut off the main breaker in the house to avoid backfeeding electrical power to the grid. I had this box installed so I can plug directly into the house via a 40-ft electrical connection. As long as I have gas, I can power my home for as long as I need.
For a shorter power outage duration, I had this Bluetti 3000 W Inverter with 2 3000 watt lithium ion batteries.
With this I can power essentials for a few days.
If needed, I can recharge with 2 800 watt solar panels.
I hope to never have to use any of it.View attachment 123026View attachment 123027

I like this set up, expensive, but I like it! I like others members have mentioned as well, I just don't have the need for that much power.

 

[Crazyboat]

I've read that some of the battery back up systems (the smaller ones) will recharge from a wall outlet in 1.2 hours or so. All I need is a small 2,500 watt inverter and run it to charge the batteries. Again, per the battery makers they can run the fridge for about 24 hours. Charging a laptop or two intermittently and a few cell phones won't be much of a draw. I don't see why this "plan" won't work, please if someone thinks it won't let me know why so I can alter it.

 

[LDUBS]

I've read that some of the battery back up systems (the smaller ones) will recharge from a wall outlet in 1.2 hours or so. All I need is a small 2,500 watt inverter and run it to charge the batteries. Again, per the battery makers they can run the fridge for about 24 hours. Charging a laptop or two intermittently and a few cell phones won't be much of a draw. I don't see why this "plan" won't work, please if someone thinks it won't let me know why so I can alter it.

This is all way over my head. When it comes to essential power demands, I would also want enough juice to power the wifi router (or whatever it is called).

 

[Crazyboat]

This is all way over my head. When it comes to essential power demands, I would also want enough juice to power the wifi router (or whatever it is called).

I neglected to add that in this post, but yes, it is in my previous post. In an emergency situation (where I am in NJ) power has never in my life gone out more then 24 hours at a time. So whole house genset and having all the luxury items some have also aren't needed. I just want to keep the food from spoiling, have a light or 2 on as needed and be able to watch a movie on a laptop.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

In an emergency situation (where I am in NJ) power has never in my life gone out more then 24 hours at a time.

You must be well inland to have escaped Sandy. My daughter had just moved to NE NJ and lost power for a week. She had to drive to Middletown NY to recharge cell and laptop. Not to mention the nervous parents in upstate that couldn’t reach her.

 

[airshot]

We have a 22KW generator that supplies power to one of our two house breaker panels. The generator is propane fueled since we do not have natural gas service. Heat pump over propane aux burner is how we heat the house in the winter (Iowa climate). We have a 1000 gallon propane tank.

With care, we can operate as normal (AC or heat as the season dictates, well water, most lighting circuits, refrigerators and freezer, and the shop does have power to keep it heated in the winter).

We had several outages this year with all of the severe weather. The longest outage was 21 hours. I'm glad I don't have to mess with gasoline. The automated nature of the backup generator means I don't have to be concerned about my wife dealing with it if I'm not home when the outage occurs.

Years back, some friends in Florida were involved in a hurricane and went without power for almost 5 days. They have a big propane powered emergency generator that runs their entire home. After 5 days of constant service it hardly made a dent in there propane supply from their 500 gallon tank.

 

[LDUBS]

I neglected to add that in this post, but yes, it is in my previous post. In an emergency situation (where I am in NJ) power has never in my life gone out more then 24 hours at a time. So whole house genset and having all the luxury items some have also aren't needed. I just want to keep the food from spoiling, have a light or 2 on as needed and be able to watch a movie on a laptop.

I was thinking in terms of access to news.

 

[Ray Clark]

Years back, some friends in Florida were involved in a hurricane and went without power for almost 5 days. They have a big propane powered emergency generator that runs their entire home. After 5 days of constant service it hardly made a dent in there propane supply from their 500 gallon tank.

I think my generator consumes between 1.7 and 3.2 gallons of propane per hour depending on the load. It's hard to tell because the gauge on the propane tank is very "iffy" in terms of accuracy. Right now, my gauge is showing about 63% full. However, based on experience, the tank is probably only about 50-51% full.

If I had to run 120 hours (5 days) while using the AC, I would expect to consume about 240-300 gallons. I haven't had to do that to this point, so maybe if a long outage like that happens to me, then I'll find out better info.

One thing to keep in mind is that propane tanks are only filled to about 80% of their stated capacity. So my 1000 gallon tank is "full" at 800 gallons. Sometimes, depending on ambient temperature, my propane guy will fill it to 82%, but 80% is the standard fill.

 

[airshot]

I think my generator consumes between 1.7 and 3.2 gallons of propane per hour depending on the load. It's hard to tell because the gauge on the propane tank is very "iffy" in terms of accuracy. Right now, my gauge is showing about 63% full. However, based on experience, the tank is probably only about 50-51% full.

If I had to run 120 hours (5 days) while using the AC, I would expect to consume about 240-300 gallons. I haven't had to do that to this point, so maybe if a long outage like that happens to me, then I'll find out better info.

One thing to keep in mind is that propane tanks are only filled to about 80% of their stated capacity. So my 1000 gallon tank is "full" at 800 gallons. Sometimes, depending on ambient temperature, my propane guy will fill it to 82%, but 80% is the standard fill.

If it is late fall where the temp stays below 50 degrees or so they will push 85% but if the temp gets to high the excess pressure bleeds of the gas and becomes money wasted. I bought my own tanks and can store enough propane to last a full year with ease. Getting my tanks filled in the fall allows me to get the max amount of propane for the year. I also get a volume discount by getting over 1000 gallons at a time. Our prior home was NG, so I have some real comparisons of propane to NG....propane has been the better option as I can shop to get the best price and propane is far more efficient in my opinion.

 

[moedelawn]

If it is late fall where the temp stays below 50 degrees or so they will push 85% but if the temp gets to high the excess pressure bleeds of the gas and becomes money wasted. I bought my own tanks and can store enough propane to last a full year with ease. Getting my tanks filled in the fall allows me to get the max amount of propane for the year. I also get a volume discount by getting over 1000 gallons at a time. Our prior home was NG, so I have some real comparisons of propane to NG....propane has been the better option as I can shop to get the best price and propane is far more efficient in my opinion.

If it is late fall where the temp stays below 50 degrees or so they will push 85% but if the temp gets to high the excess pressure bleeds of the gas and becomes money wasted. I bought my own tanks and can store enough propane to last a full year with ease. Getting my tanks filled in the fall allows me to get the max amount of propane for the year. I also get a volume discount by getting over 1000 gallons at a time. Our prior home was NG, so I have some real comparisons of propane to NG....propane has been the better option as I can shop to get the best price and propane is far more efficient in my opinion.

I’ve heard of many problems with natural gas being supplied either by leaks or too many generators on line trying to run. A friend who has one said he couldn’t use his gas stove during peak hours because it would not keep a flame. Definitely an advantage with propane which is more efficient than NG. My neighbor is looking at getting a propane standby and was quoted $4000 for a 500 gallon tank filled to 85 percent including connecting the generator to the house. Not including the price of the generator. They wanted him to put a 26 kw. I told him to do his research and find out what they burn and how much to refill. I don’t think he needs near that much and we lost power for 2 weeks after Ida. That would get expensive

 

[Ray Clark]

I’ve heard of many problems with natural gas being supplied either by leaks or too many generators on line trying to run. A friend who has one said he couldn’t use his gas stove during peak hours because it would not keep a flame. Definitely an advantage with propane which is more efficient than NG. My neighbor is looking at getting a propane standby and was quoted $4000 for a 500 gallon tank filled to 85 percent including connecting the generator to the house. Not including the price of the generator. They wanted him to put a 26 kw. I told him to do his research and find out what they burn and how much to refill. I don’t think he needs near that much and we lost power for 2 weeks after Ida. That would get expensive

I don't know where you are located, and that makes a big difference in propane prices. For example, the average price for propane here in Iowa in September was $1.52/gallon. In Florida, the average price for propane is running above $4.70/gallon.

Florida is ALWAYS very high priced for propane. It has consistently been above $4/gallon for the last 10 years, according the Gubmint.

My 1000 gallon tank was installed in August 2014. It was a new tank at the time, and I traded in a 250 gallon tank. Cost of the new tank, fully installed, was $2500. That included running the lines to the shop building and the house and installing appropriate regulators.

 

[moedelawn]

I don't know where you are located, and that makes a big difference in propane prices. For example, the average price for propane here in Iowa in September was $1.52/gallon. In Florida, the average price for propane is running above $4.70/gallon.

Florida is ALWAYS very high priced for propane. It has consistently been above $4/gallon for the last 10 years, according the Gubmint.

My 1000 gallon tank was installed in August 2014. It was a new tank at the time, and I traded in a 250 gallon tank. Cost of the new tank, fully installed, was $2500. That included running the lines to the shop building and the house and installing appropriate regulators.

I don't know where you are located, and that makes a big difference in propane prices. For example, the average price for propane here in Iowa in September was $1.52/gallon. In Florida, the average price for propane is running above $4.70/gallon.

Florida is ALWAYS very high priced for propane. It has consistently been above $4/gallon for the last 10 years, according the Gubmint.

My 1000 gallon tank was installed in August 2014. It was a new tank at the time, and I traded in a 250 gallon tank. Cost of the new tank, fully installed, was $2500. That included running the lines to the shop building and the house and installing appropriate regulators.

At 1.52 per gallon that’s very cheap. I’m in Louisiana. I never had a reason to check bulk prices but we pay over $3.00 per gallon to refill small bottles. I’m sure bulk is cheaper. Diesel is currently 2.61 a gallon so it’s not that bad given the efficiency of the diesel

 

[thill]

...If I had to run 120 hours (5 days) while using the AC, I would expect to consume about 240-300 gallons.

300 gallons a WEEK? How much is a gallon of propane? That sounds expensive.

 

[Ray Clark]

300 gallons a WEEK? How much is a gallon of propane? That sounds expensive.

From above: Propane here is running around $1.52 per gallon, maybe a little more.

My assumption about propane use during an extended power outage, in the summer heat and running AC, would be an average of 2.5 - 2.7 gallons per hour. If the outage is 5 days (120 hours), and average of 2.5 gph results in 120 hours X 2.5 gph = 300 gallons.

Also from above, these are my current assumptions about fuel consumption rate. I don't have the instrumentation to really measure fuel consumption. I haven't suffered an extended outage during which I could watch the tank gauge over the course of several says. The propane tank isn't the only appliance drawing on that tank. My aux burner on the HVAC system is propane-fueled. The shop building heat also draws from that tank.

There are things I could do to cut fuel consumption. I could go into manual mode and only run the unit for reduced hours. All depends on the situation.

Generators will always cost more per unit of electricity than commercial power.