I am considering buying a back-up generator system for my newly bought home, the only problem is that my home is 4,947sq. ft, and I seem to find a single generator that is capable of powering my entire, will buying a few portable or large sized stand-by generators solve my problem?
Either way you need to figure in the cost of the switchgear used to change over from utility power and backup power. Its best to get one unit to do the whole job.
Agree with Peter W. I do quite a bit of electrical work, but I'd hire on someone with an excellent reputation AND have it inspected/checked by the utility company. Regards. Eric
What would probably work best would be to contact your local diesel engine service centers (Detroit Diesel, Cummins) That's who supplies back up generators for businesses, hospitals etc. They can also do homes. The price is going to be extremely high compared to the ones sold at home improvement stores but those are only capable of powering a few things and are intended to only run for a few hours at a time. The diesel generator could be built big enough to power your entire home for days. These can also be integrated right into the power board of the home doing away with the need to run extension cords everywhere.
If you are looking for an emergency generator capable of delivering 200A @ 240V, single-phase current (a typical whole-house size), you will be specifying a significantly large unit, something the size of a large refrigerator (on its side). If that sort of total capacity is what you want, go for it. The incremental costs for larger units is very roughly proportionate, so a unit of twice the capacity will be very roughly twice the cost. Keep in mind that these systems must be maintained properly and tested (at least monthly) regularly. If you choose a liquid-fuel model (diesel or gasoline) there is the storage and treatment issue for the tank and the fuel in it. And, as you increase size you increase fuel consumption significantly. Typically, such generators are connected only to critical systems via the transfer-switch. So, your key systems feed directly to the transfer-switch such that when there is a power failure and the generator kicks in, the transfer switch isolates those key systems from the rest of the load. In this way you could reduce your requirements to things like refrigeration, lighting, even AC and computers, leaving out items such as hot-tubs and similar. Determine your anticipated load for key items, add perhaps 25% as a safety margin and look around that capacity. MAKE SURE that you have the system - especially the transfer switch and its load - professionally installed. A mistake there could fry both your entire house system and all things attached to it, the generator, *and* get you a massive fine from your Utility. Don't mess with this.
Multiple generators will only magnify the problem. Getting a properly sized generator and transfer panel will make backup power connection quick and safe. Determine the size of generator required. Do you want an automatic start system or will a manual connection be suitable? Choose a fuel type. Gasoline is by far the most common and easiest fuel, but has issues with long term storage. Diesel is better for long term storage. If your home is equipped with natural gas or propane those could be used to power the generator as well. Read through my generator page for other ideas.
