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Backup Generator for Storm-Ready Home

Ron Ford from Kohler shows Bob the 12 killiwatt backup generator that has been installed at the Punta Gorda, Florida, home. Backup power is essential in a hurricane to prevent moisture buildup and damaging mold growth. Advances in design mean that home generators now come in smaller, quieter packages. With record destruction from recent hurricanes, Ford says that generator sales have increased 600 percent in Florida alone. The Kohler generator is powered by a reciprocating gas engine that can be powered by natural or LP gas. Ford explains how the design has been enhanced to provide clean power that is suited to advanced electronics like plasma televisions and computers. The generator costs about $7,500 installed.

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Clip Transcript For:

Backup Generator for Storm-Ready Home

computer-generated transcript - may not be 100% accurate

" We've got a generator going in and Ron Ford is here from Kohler generators to tell us all about it and it sure is nice and small. It is Bob that's one of the nice features of this is that as compared to some of the older models we've been able to figure out how to get him in a smaller package and make them quieter but I also know that it weighs about 400 pounds which is why just about a half an hour ago we took advantage of the big machine that's here. And we kind of hooked it up on the path pallet -- over here yeah. Now can be a wrestling match now yet now I know that these have become very popular since the hurricane season last year here in Florida how many of them are you selling. Of our business is up about 600% from last year just in the Florida area itself hard to believe now. -- Tell me this particular generator assume I can just open it -- up and look at what's there. This is a twelve KW model or 12000 watt twelve kilowatts office. As a reciprocating gas engine here that runs on either LP or natural gas so you have the option of running it off of your gas tank that's correct or offer regular off of"

" Correct yes. Digital controller which is brand new we just come out with in the last a year and a half or so ago is absolutely fantastic controller if you've got sensitive electronic equipment in the house. Such as a plasma screen TV or. Your computer system and had this really puts out clean power that most equipment likes."

" And what about the actual load that it can handle I mean. This is a 2400 square foot house I think the air conditioning unit's probably four ton."

" This unit is actually very powerful for its size it's a twelve KW but it will run a four ton air conditioner again because some of the advances in technology. This will start and run that four ton air conditioner. And a bunch of your other appliances and your lighting you can sit here and pretty much live life normal."

" And what's the cost. About 7500 bucks installed Sunnis Seventy five hundred installed. that's not bad at all sell us a better off all right thank you run Ron. Cuba."

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Wiring an Electrical Box to Support a Backup Generator

Electrician Harry Cunningham and Kim Hansen of Square D / Schneider Electric join Bob to explain the electrical box that supports the household power and backup generator. Two power sources feed into the service box -- the utility and the generator. There is a safety check in place to prevent the generator from automatically taking over the power load or feeding out into the street to power the neighborhood. The switch in the box must be flipped to protect power from surging through the outlets when work is being performed or the environment is unsafe. The generator allows for flexible power and the opportunity to switch between circuits. The homeowners can decide to power up an air conditioner during a storm, switch circuits to do laundry, or power up the TV and family computer. In an emergency, the system allows homeowners to tailor their energy use to suit the needs of their home and family.

Installing a Home Back-up Generator

Ron Ford from Kohler Power Systems joins Bob to talk about the 22-kilowatt backup generator that has been installed. The generator is permanently connected to the home's main power distribution center and will keep important household appliances (including furnaces, refrigerator, security systems, and computers) running in the event of a power outage. Powered by natural gas and is insulated to minimize noise, the generator automatically supplies electricity in the event of a power outage without having to be switched on by the homeowner. It will even kick in if the homeowner is away from home.

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