More Winter prepping vs Off grid options

in Outdoors and more2 years ago

More on our winter preparation adventures. This time we're adding a whole-house generator. I posted previously about our firewood gathering and preparing for winter. Well, when the weather gets to -20 and -40 below zero (F) it's good to have multiple (not just two) heat sources.

We were able to get a really good deal on this generator. Our electrician had ordered one for somebody else last year, and then they cancelled last minute. Rather than eat all the shipping costs, having to store it, or hanging onto it trying to sell, he offered it to us at cost for taking it off his hands last year. It's taken us over 6 months to get installed, but it's finally up and running.

This is the buried propane tank lid/fill access.

The generator runs on Propane. Actually, it's dual fuel with a simple switch of a lever, but we don't have natural gas up here yet. Our propane tank is buried underground and also powers the furnace, gas stove, and on-demand water heater.

The generator is capable of running a sustained 14 KW, which is enough to power the whole house (and garage). We would likely have to turn off the A/C unit if we had an outage in the summer time, but otherwise can handle reasonable normal load for the house.

This is the ATS switch. The main breaker panel is directly on the inside wall.

The propane tank and generator is on one side of the house, but the main electrical panel and Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) were on the other side of the house. This meant we had to run a super heavy duty wire all the way across the length of the house from that breaker box panel over to the generator. It was cheaper than digging another trench, because the lower level ceiling was a drop ceiling and easily accessible, but still costly in both time and materials.

There's the inner workings. There's actually an electronic control panel on the top there that I can supposedly connect to the wireless network and get status updates and even remote start from my phone app. The wireless network card is on backorder. Due to shipping delays, it did not come with the unit and I have to order separately.

In hindsight, I really wish we had invested in some large solar panels first like @galenkp mentioned in his earlier post. That was the original plan, but we got a bit jumpy on the generator deal (probably $2K under retail cost). We can't do both this year within budget, and had we done solar first, we could have started making money back the first month. This generator is nice for peace of mind, but it really just sits there unless there is an extended outage, vs. the solar which could have provided the near instant cost savings and money return coming back in.

Still researching the solar and would love to be capable of off-grid power at some point, but until then we'll just keep dreaming and drooling over others monthly solar savings and income.

Anyone else have a generator? Would love to hear good/bad stories or what you think about the solar vs. generator.

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I was planning to buy one too but the one used in pumping water.
The supply of water in my husband's hometown is stressing me😂. So I will be needing that plus a tank.

Great point. We are on a well and need the electric to run the pump from the well to the house. And then I also work from home and need the computer and internet. One area that is good about the Starlink internet then, it wouldn't be affected by a local power outage like the Cable company or DSL sub-stations would be.

The problem with solar panels, and also wind energy, is that its not a steady supply. So it can always only be a add on to a steady power source, since electricity is not a luxury that you only consume from time to time. And a sufficient storage of power quickly gets really expensive.
I am however also sceptical about generators with combustion engines, since they need a lot of maintainance. And even then there is no guarantee that they dont suddenly give up their ghost - preferably at the least conveniant moment.
Some years ago I had a look at a system that was called power-heat coupling. Basically a pretty good idea: it was a sturdy industrial Diesel engine driving a generator, and its coolant was used to heat a house. This way you can make the most of the fuel that is used. But the devil is in the detail once more. For example, in summer you dont need the heat, but you do still need electricity. And in winter you need a lot of heat, but not always the full generator capacity. So its rarely operating in the optimal window.
I guess there is not really a cheap and easy solution, especially if you live in a northern country. Soon daylight will reduce to 6-7 hours per day, and often enough even without any sunshine. Solar panels are pretty useless then. Wind may be the better option even, but that also depends where you live and the weather there.

For example, in summer you dont need the heat, but you do still need electricity. And in winter you need a lot of heat, but not always the full generator capacity.

It sounds like you need solar panels with some power storage enough to charge during day and provide power through the night for summer, and then the generator for winter, but use it not just for its heat but also electricity (portion of heating would be provided with IR emitters powered with electricity). That's from layman perspective - I have no idea what I'm talking about :o)

The thing is, every system costs money. Sure it would be cool to have many options, solar, wind and even a water turbine if you have a creek. But who can afford all that?
The power-heat coupling system was also not cheap, but still reasonable in price. 10 grand or so, some years ago. That was without the heating radiators in the house, which usually already exist from the previous heating system. And yes, surplus electricity could be used for heating, thats fairly cheap to do.

Yes the windmill to offset the cloudy days is a good thought. I've also really wanted to tap the hydroelectric capability of the creek we have running through the property. It runs steady all year, even under the ice when it freezes over the top. No idea how much those cost or how much power it could produce. Interesting concept though, because it's always running clouds or sun.

The output of a water turbine can be substancial, even if its not a big water flow. Unfortunatly also the investment neccessary is substancial, if its done properly. And there is the question of a permission, since you do interfere in the natural water flow. I don't know how they handle this in your region.
But of all the renewable energy options its sure the most efficient and reliable one.

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We have these systems here too and I plan to get one as I think they're great. I know a few who have them and whilst our power is stable it sometimes goes out. Having a solar system doesn't help either as when the mains is out no power is supplied, and at night there's no sun...as you know. So, one of these is cool, even just to run the heater and air conditioner and fridge/freezer. I'll make it happen...They're a little more costly here though and so I need to plan it out.

And of course there are those large whole house batteries, or large portable batteries you can charge from the solar. I haven't done the math, but think those would only be good for a couple days with no other power or sunshine to charge them.

I think, based on cost, I'd go with the generator option like yours in preference to the battery, at this stage at least.

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