Thomas from Middletown, NJ has been a Green Sun Energy Services client since August of 2020. The generator was commissioned in March of 2021: 16 kW on natural gas, on a 150-amp service-entrance switch, sized against a 14 kW calculation for the 2,375 square foot house. A sump pump, two refrigerators, a separate freezer, a washer, a gas dryer and a dishwasher make up the load. Seven months passed between the contract and the commissioning, which was normal for a generator booked in the second half of 2020 – demand ran well ahead of what manufacturers could ship, and the equipment lead time rather than the installation was what set the date. Annual maintenance, a ten-year extended parts-and-labor warranty and monitoring we manage all sit behind the machine.
Project Facts
- Location
- Middletown, NJ
- Services
- Standby Generator Installation, Standby Generator Service
- Client since
- August 2020
- Manufacturer
- Generac Model # 7176
- Rated output
- 16 kW LP / 16 kW NG
- Fuel
- Natural Gas
- Home sized for
- 2,375 sq ft
- Electrical service
- 150 amp
- Transfer switch
- 150 amp
- Load management
- Managed Whole House
Mike serviced and installed a new battery for my generator.He did a great job and was very helpful with all my questions.Thank You.
Green Sun Energy Services replied
Thank you, Thomas, and Mike will be pleased. A battery is the single most common reason a standby generator fails to start, so replacing one during a service visit is routine work that heads off a bad surprise later. The 16 kW machine at your home in Middletown is in good order, and questions are always welcome.
Standby generator questions from Middletown homeowners
What is Base Flood Elevation and why does it matter here?
Base Flood Elevation is the elevation associated with the base flood -- generally the flood with a one percent chance of being reached or exceeded in any year. For a generator it is often the starting point for working out how high the mechanical and electrical equipment has to be protected or raised.
Should gas pressure be checked while the generator is running?
Yes. Operating pressure means more than a static reading taken with the generator off. The fuel system has to hold adequate pressure while the generator runs and other appliances may also be drawing gas. That matters most when an existing residential service is being reused.
Can a standby generator run central air conditioning?
Yes, when it is sized for it. The design has to account for both the running demand and the starting surge of the air-conditioning equipment. Load-management equipment can be used where necessary so that demand does not all arrive at once.