Walter from Middletown, NJ has been a Green Sun Energy Services client since July of 2019. The generator was commissioned that September: 16 kW on natural gas, on a 200-amp whole-house transfer switch, sized against a 14 kW calculation for the 3,000 square foot house. Two refrigerators, a separate freezer, a washer, a gas dryer and a dishwasher make up the load. Whole-house rather than a critical-load panel is the choice worth noting on a house this size: nothing has to be nominated in advance as the part that keeps working, and nobody has to remember which sockets were on the list. Seven years on, the machine is still in service.
Project Facts
- Location
- Middletown, NJ
- Service
- Standby Generator Installation
- Client since
- July 2019
- Manufacturer
- Generac Model # 70371
- Rated output
- 16 kW LP / 16 kW NG
- Fuel
- Natural Gas
- Electrical service
- 200 amp
- Transfer switch
- 200 amp
- Load management
- Managed Whole House
The whole project could not have gone any smoother. The sales presentation was concise and informative. Very professional installation process, Green Sun took care of all aspects from municipal approvals to contractor scheduling, Along the way they kept us informed on every single step of the process via email and phone. They gave us the electrical and plumbing installation dates about three weeks in advance and everything came off just as they said it would. The contractors were courteous, friendly and very professional. All we had to do was sign the contract and they made everything happen. Couldn't be more pleased. Best of all, after installation about a month ago we've had the power go out twice in the last week and the Generac performed as advertised.
Standby generator questions from Middletown homeowners
Can a generator be raised on a platform?
Yes. Manufacturer guidance specifically covers installations on platforms and other supporting structures, and directs them to the applicable fire-safety standard, including a noncombustible surface extending beyond the generator for the configuration addressed. Flood and structural requirements have to be satisfied as well.
What is a service-entrance-rated transfer switch?
One that is listed for use as service equipment when installed in the appropriate configuration. These are commonly used for whole-house systems, where the transfer switch becomes part of the home's service arrangement rather than sitting downstream of it.
Does a generator produce less on natural gas than on propane?
Some models do have a lower rated maximum output on natural gas than on propane -- a current 22 kW machine is rated 22 kW on LP and 21 kW on natural gas. Other models carry their own ratings, so the model-specific specification sheet is what settles it rather than a general rule.