Bob Pierce answers questions about energy efficiency, consumer products, and cooperative governance. He is Clearwater Power’s Chief Operating Officer and welcomes your questions on our Ask Bob page.
I would like a permanently installed backup generator for my home. What do I need to consider when buying a generator for my house?
It is important to speak with a licensed electrician to discuss how the generator will be connected to the home. You will need a transfer switch to isolate the generator from the grid during an outage. All permanently installed generators require a professionally installed transfer switch. This is important to prevent electricity from being sent back through the power lines, which can cause serious injury or death to anyone near the lines, especially crew members working to restore power.
Another helpful step is to call our office to find out what the peak and average demands are for your account. This information will be helpful in determining what size generator you will want to buy.
I recommend you look at propane-fueled generators. Propane doesn’t go bad in the tank, and it is good down to 55 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. If you don’t already have a bulk propane tank, call the local, friendly team at Clearwater Propane. They can set an appropriately sized tank and run a fuel line to the generator.
This information applies only to permanently installed generators. Temporary-use or portable generators should never be connected to the circuit breaker or fuse box and should not be plugged into a household outlet. They should only be used with properly-sized extension cords to directly power certain items.