Home Is Where the Hearth Is - When Disaster Strikes - page 81

A mid-range alternative that works quite well for many people is to install a compact, air-
cooled, exterior, hard-plumbed, and hard-wired backup generator system, such as one of the
models from Generac Power Systems (see fig. 4-15 ) . When combined with their load-manage-
ment system that monitors generator output and avoids overload situations by automatically
shedding power to high-current devices (such as air conditioners, hot-water heaters, and elec-
tric stoves) whenever demand exceeds generator capacity, and returning power to those items
when overall demand drops, these systems can power an entire home using a smaller, more
cost-effective generator that will be also be more fuel efficient than larger systems, even when
they are operated for extended periods of time. Generator systems such as these are typically
plumbed directly into a home's natural-gas or propane lines, circumventing the tedious task of
transporting large quantities of gasoline or diesel fuel to keep a portable generator operating for
a significant period of time.
Figure 4-15. A compact hard-plumbed and hard-wired exterior mounted backup generator system with automatic
transfer switch. Photo courtesy of Generac Power Systems
Generator Safety