Mountain Hill School in Atlantic Highlands, NJ has been a Green Sun Energy Services client since 2014. The first machine was commissioned that January: a 20 kW Generac on natural gas, on a 90-amp managed whole-house switch, for Building 1. The contract was written across the campus rather than the building – the pricing held provided all three generators were placed under contract by the school, which is how a site with several buildings gets one standard of equipment rather than three different machines bought in three different years. Every interval since has been kept, through to the ninth year and beyond. A school is a different proposition from a house: the reason for backup power is not comfort but whether the building can open on the morning after a storm.
Project Facts
- Location
- Atlantic Highlands, NJ
- Service
- Standby Generator Service
- Client since
- 2014
- Manufacturer
- Generac Model # 6250
- Rated output
- 20 kW LP / 18 kW NG
- Fuel
- Natural Gas
- Transfer switch
- 90 amp
- Load management
- Managed Whole House
Standby generator questions from Atlantic Highlands homeowners
Will a 20 kW generator run an entire Atlantic Highlands house?
For many homes, yes, but that does not mean every load can run at the same moment. Houses with two central air conditioners, electric heat, EV charging, pool equipment or electric cooking may need load management or a larger machine. The answer comes from a load calculation rather than from the phrase whole house.
How is the gas pipe size worked out?
From the generator's demand, the available pressure, the pipe length, the allowable pressure drop, the fittings, the pipe material and every other appliance connected to the system. The adopted fuel-gas code carries the sizing requirements and tables, and the model's published fuel consumption goes into the calculation.
Does a 200-amp service need a 200-amp transfer switch?
A transfer switch installed in the service path has to be rated appropriately for the service and the configuration. A 200-amp service commonly uses a 200-amp service-rated switch, but the actual design is confirmed by the electrician rather than assumed from the service size.