Marcia from Atlantic Highlands, NJ has been a Green Sun Energy Services client since February of 2021. The generator was commissioned that September: 18 kW on natural gas, on a whole-house transfer switch, sized against a 15 kW calculation for the 4,000 square foot house. The specification changed during the project at the household’s request – down from 22 kW to 18 kW, which cuts the gas demand at full load by 80,000 BTU. That is the trade worth understanding before signing anything: a smaller machine asks less of the gas supply, which can be the difference between a straightforward connection and an upgraded meter, but it also narrows the margin above what the house actually needs. Annual maintenance, a seven-year extended parts-and-labor warranty and monitoring we manage all sit behind the generator.
Project Facts
- Location
- Atlantic Highlands, NJ
- Services
- Standby Generator Installation, Standby Generator Service
- Client since
- February 2021
- Manufacturer
- Generac Model # 7226
- Rated output
- 18 kW LP / 17 kW NG
- Fuel
- Natural Gas
- Home sized for
- 4,000 sq ft
- Electrical service
- 150 amp
- Transfer switch
- 150 amp
- Load management
- Managed Whole House
Standby generator questions from Atlantic Highlands homeowners
Which fuel-gas code applies?
New Jersey currently adopts the 2024 International Fuel Gas Code as its Fuel Gas Subcode, which is what governs the piping, testing and shutoff arrangements on a natural-gas generator installation.
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.