Whole House Generator Installation And Safety

Written on: September 14, 2020

Whole house backup generators can provide an emergency power supply, enabling you to keep important equipment running during a power outage. But are they safe to own and operate?

Absolutely – if they are properly chosen and installed by professionals!

Today’s whole house propane backup generators do much more than simply keep you out of the dark. Depending on the size and power of the unit, a propane whole house generator could prevent damage to your property by powering your sump pump, protect your family by keeping the heat on and emergency medical equipment powered up, and more.

But how do you choose a whole house backup generator, and what safety issues should you keep in mind when operating it? Here are some basics.

Sizing and installing a whole house generator

The most important thing to remember when it comes to installing a propane whole house generator safely is that it is NOT a DIY job! ALWAYS have your generator installed by a professional with the proper credentials for handling the electric and HVAC requirements of the work.

Sizing a propane whole house generator comes down to considering two important factors: the size of your home, and the number of appliances / systems you want to operate during an outage. This checklist should give you a starting point of what equipment you may want to power:

Home essentials

• Central A/C
• Electric water heater
• Electric heat pump
• Gas furnace
• Electric garage door
• Sump/well pump
• Lights
• Other

Comfort essentials

• Medical equipment
• Refrigerator
• Freezer
• Electric oven/range
• Electric cooktop
• Gas oven/range
• Gas cooktop
• Microwave
• Dishwasher
• Clothes washer
• Clothes dryer (electric)
• Clothes dryer (gas)
• Other

Luxuries

• Spa
• Pool heater
• Outdoor kitchen
• Other

Work with a generator installation specialist to determine how large a unit you will need to meet the backup power requirements of your home.

Safely Operating Your Generator

A whole house backup generator should run safely for many years – as long as it is properly installed and maintained.

Follow these basics to enjoy peace of mind for years to come:

• Get regular service – Get professional generator maintenance at least once a year.
• Periodically run your generator – Run your generator for about 15-20 minutes about once every three months during the spring, summer, and fall. During the winter, run it once a month or so to keep parts lubricated (just as you would with a car sitting in your driveway).
• Keep it ready – Keep enough propane in your generator to run it for at least a week in the event of a power outage; if you don’t have that much, schedule a propane delivery today.
• Prepare for the worst – Have a “plan B” if your generator does not start. If severe weather is forecast when you’re leaving for vacation or traveling on business, make sure someone has access to your home and generator in case of emergency.
• Keep records – Record any incident in which your generator is called into service, along with any problems that occur.
• Keep access to your generator’s fill clear – Keep at least a 12” pathway to your generator for clear of snow and debris for service and refueling. If your generator is accessible through a driveway, keep that clear, too.
• Know your CO safety basics – Using a backup generator (or any other fuel burning appliance) presents the risk of CO poisoning. To avoid CO poisoning,
  • install, test, and properly maintain CO detectors in your home
  • know the signs of CO poisoning – and what to do if you experience them
  • have your propane generator professionally serviced a minimum of once a year.

Thinking about investing in a whole house propane generator? We can help. Contact Ace-Robbins today to get a FREE, no obligation estimate on a propane backup generator installation in Wyoming County, PA.