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I live in a heavily treed area that is frequently without power in storms , many times for several days - sometimes just a few hours . Above ground wires take the hit from falling trees and large branches causing the outages .
As such, I installed back up natural gas generators at two homes . One is a GENERAC ( 15kw ) brand and the other a KOHLER ( 25 kw). Other mfrs exist too. Search Generac or Kohler online and they describe their back up generators quite well. I have plenty of power to juice the entire house including heat/ multiple air conditioning units. Last big storm my gen ran for 131 hours straight while neighbors were in the dark.
There are several types of NG Generators - air cooled ( usually 12 kw or less ) and water cooled- larger kw output. The air cooled versions will run at higher rpm's at peak load while the water cooled gens are steady rpm's at peak or lower. The air cooled units make more noise . Many of the communities here - mine too- have a decible limit for noise for back up generators which many times dictates which type unit you get - or you option up for the suppliers noise attenuator package that reduces noise levels - but is more costly. Generally the air cooled lower kw units are much less costly than the water cooled units . Both of mine are water cooled and have been trouble free .
Power goes out adn after 45 secs the gens' kick in . when power comes back the gens run for a couple minutes monitoring the power source to see if it remains on. They both 'test run' once a week automatically for about 25 mins to charge the battery . Both have block heaters for cold weather conditions . they use a car 12 v battery .
my 25kw unit is a GM 4 cyl car engine converted for natural gas and the 15 kw unit is a Fiat 4 cyl similarly converted . Different manufacturers use different engines .
Home Depot stores also sell do it yourself ( or provide someone who will do it ) natural gas generators . A neighbor put one in for several grand . The larger 15 kw and up units can cost $12-15,000 installed. " Switch back" panels are included in that cost, which separates/monitors the power source between power co and generator-so that the gen does not back feed the power co and shut them down. they run a grand or so depending on the power needs, my 25Kw unit has two switchback panels to handle 400 amps supplied to two main circuit boards.
Many communities require permits for installation in addition to the noise limits - my town required 4 permits per generator . noise limit as mentioned . even has dictates as to location of unit in yard . some areas dont have any ordinances .
It is nice knowing you have power full time > I have been thru several storms before generators where i was out of power for 4-7 days and it is not fun. I no longer have that worry . Bill.
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