Adrianna and Richard from Fair Haven, NJ have been Green Sun Energy Services clients since February of 2021. The generator was commissioned that November: a 14 kW Generac Guardian on natural gas, outdoors beside the meter, with a 100-amp service-entrance switch and a smart management module. The load calculation asked for 14 kW across the 2,300 square foot house, and the two sump pumps are the reason that number matters more than the floor area does. A storm that takes the power out is usually the same storm filling the basement, and sump pumps are the one load where losing power and needing the load happen at exactly the same moment. The generator is supported by annual maintenance, an extended parts-and-labor warranty, and monitoring we manage.
Project Facts
- Location
- Fair Haven, NJ
- Services
- Standby Generator Installation, Standby Generator Service
- Client since
- February 2021
- Manufacturer
- Generac Model # 7223
- Rated output
- 14 kW LP / 14 kW NG
- Fuel
- Natural Gas
- Electrical service
- 100 amp
- Transfer switch
- 100 amp
- Load management
- Managed Whole House
Standby generator questions from Fair Haven homeowners
Does the transfer switch need flood protection as well as the generator?
Yes. A flood review should cover much more than the generator enclosure. FEMA recommends that a residential standby system consider elevation or protection of the generator, the transfer switch, the normal and emergency panels, the feeders and the control wiring together.
How can a whole house be carried on a smaller electrical service?
Through load management. One or more large loads are controlled so they do not start at the same moment, or shut down briefly if generator demand climbs too high. That is what allows whole-house coverage where the raw sum of every connected load would otherwise exceed the machine.
Does the generator need its own gas shutoff?
The fuel installation has to include the shutoff arrangements required by the adopted fuel-gas code and by the installation instructions. The valve must be positioned where it is accessible, both for servicing and for isolating the machine in an emergency.