Curious, what size generator did you go with (for what size home) and what was the installation cost? Im looking at a 26KW system for a 3800 sq ft home, but I might not need that much. I just want to not even be aware of a power outage. Except for a kitchen, oven, I think I could run everything else in the house as normal with between 20kW and 26KW. I am hoping the estimate I get will inform me better if I need that much or not.
22KW...@4000sf...with transfer switches
Nat gas
Our genset is 180 amp (around 21 kwatts), runs on natural gas with auto transfer switches.
System runs perfectly; during power outages it's like nothing happened; we have heat/AC, full kitchen, even the pool machinery keeps on tickin'
Isuzu diesel 21kw, 4 cyl, $10k
You can better manage your loads in an outage. Your genset must be able to start the biggest load. Well pump or central a/c compressor. Usually 15kw will do
Assume that it is over rated by 10% to account for surges and a safety margin. So that gives you a starting number of 90 Amps for a 100 Amp breaker, for example, to routinely operate your home. That in the high end. (That does not assume 2 phase loads which will require a 2 phase generator).
Now look at your loads and see which single phase ones you deem critical. They are usually 10-15-20 amp single pole breakers. Add up the numbers on the breakers and that should be the minimum you think you need.
Take you high or low numbers and multiply by 120 then divide that by 1000 to get VoltAmps which will approximate the Killowatt load. That should be the rating range of a generator that works for you.