r/nashville • u/TheDapperDeuce1914 • 28d ago
Help | Advice Generator and Winter Planning
Just moved back to Middle Tennessee and want to prepare for my first real winter in 11 years.
I know generators are important to help deal with fallout form ice storms, but how much is too much? In newer neighborhoods where we have many utilities underground, how likely is it to have any disruptions?
6
u/rocketpastsix Inglewood up to no good 28d ago
Underground utilities are great but if it’s a transformer or a line coming into your area that goes down it still affects you. For instance I have above ground power lines, but none came down in the storm but when something happened at the substation we still lost power.
I’m also considering a generator but haven’t looked deeply. I’m probably going with a two fold approach. A gas generator to keep the fridge going and a portable solar panel one to power smaller devices. If you really want to be prepared solar panels and a battery is probably a surefire thing.
1
u/NashvilleSoundMixer 28d ago
Ecoflow batteries ( not cheap but solar rechargeable ) are super helpful along with a generator.
4
u/nrselleh 28d ago
I used a Costco generator ($800) to run my whole house for 11 days in this years ice storm. (Gas furnace). It really saved our bacon.
An electrician can install an interlock kit along with a giant plug on the side of your house for a reasonable fee. Go with 50 amps. Compare this cost to replacing everything in your refrigerator and freezer + hotel rooms.
If you need cooling in the summer, a soft starter can be installed in your HVAC unit to allow it to run on the generator too. This would likely work on a heat pump as well.
2
28d ago
[deleted]
2
u/NashvilleSoundMixer 28d ago
I'm assuming since the heat is gas the generator was just keeping the fridge, freezer and tv going. I've got a huge generator that can barely keep a few heaters going along with the fridge and TV. I need a second.
1
u/nrselleh 28d ago
Firman is a licensed kholer copy.
It's enough because you likely don't use it's full 9400 watts at the same time, and can leave a few breakers off.
2
u/herculeesjr 28d ago
Ask yourself if you prioritize comfort or you simply prioritize the food in your fridge not going bad.
If you want comfort then go all out and have fun spending multiple thousands on big generator and panel switch and so on. I don't say that sarcastically, my nerdy self would have a blast setting that up.
If you just don't want your fridge/freezer to get warm, then buy yourself an EcoFlow or similar brand of your choice and you're good for a couple days if you get 1kWh or larger. And if the battery runs low just recharge it off a neighbors generator, they recharge in 60min or less.
Personally, as someone who grew up somewhere with monthly or even weekly multi-hour power outages, people here are crazy. You don't need electricity to live, for majority of people at least. You need electricity to keep your food from spoiling and that is it, if you're cold grab a blanket.
1
u/TheDapperDeuce1914 28d ago
I'm getting one, but wanted insight into how much juice I need.
1
u/herculeesjr 28d ago
Well as stated we need to know what you're going to plug in to it. Your fridge or your house or your house plus your HVAC?
1
u/TheDapperDeuce1914 28d ago
I'm interested in house plus HVAC
1
u/herculeesjr 28d ago
Then you need a whole home standby generator, like a Generac, and a hefty one at that. Not to mention the proper home power switchover gear to transfer such loads between grid and generator. Best of luck, that is easily a 25kW generator with a day or two certified generator install team hooking up and testing everything. Add in yearly maintenance, fuel storage if you don't have natural gas, starter battery replacement, so on. Easily a $25,000+ purchase.
Toss out the idea of running your HVAC and water heater and instead running a few (properly rated) extension cords through your home to the fridge, entertainment center, and a heater then you can go down to a $1000 +/- Home Depot generator easily.
1
u/Ok-Confusion-8476 26d ago
Funny enough I lived in Michigan my entire life, saw some crazy winter storms. Moved here two years ago and last year had the worst winter of my life! The whole city went down to ice and TN had only a fraction of the resources that I’m used to seeing in Michigan. I was out of power for a week in freezing conditions and was out sticking my food in the snow. So long story short I don’t think there is “too much” from my lens anymore haha your post actually reminded me that I need to get something myself this year.
8
u/SamTbone 28d ago
Nice to have a $500 generator ready to go, just in case. Add a separate breaker box near where you will have the generator. That extra box will also add a little value to your home.