Preparing for Power Outages
Considering a standby generator
2019 Fallby Mary Rumph
MSU Extension Agent in Powder River County
Most people take electricity for granted….until they are without. Fortunately, power companies have many stop gap measures to prevent power outages, but occasionally forces beyond their control, primarily acts of nature, can result in miles of downed lines and snapped off power poles. When that happens, it takes time to repair the damage and restore power, and sometimes that time is critical.
A summer power outage occurred in Powder River County in June of 2012 as the result of wildfires. Most residents were without power for at least five days. Daytime temperatures were in the high 90s, resulting in an emergency situation – cattle were without water. (On a hot summer day, a cow nursing a calf will drink 25 to 35 gallons of water, and a herd of 100 cow-calf pairs need 2,500 to 3,500 gallons of water.) The electric pump wasn’t running and water tanks dried up quickly. Portable generators came to the rescue to run needed water pumps. In ranch situations, the top priority is the livestock; secondary is the house. The cattle get water and the house does not, unless there are multiple generators.
“Standby generators can be a significant upfront investment, but go a long way toward peace of mind,” said Tary Hanson, general manager with the Tongue River Electric Cooperative (TRECO) that services eight counties in Southeastern Montana.
According to Hanson, standby generators are installed permanently, usually on a concrete pad just outside the house. They are connected directly to the home’s electrical system so they can provide uninterrupted power for days if needed. They run on natural gas or propane and depending on their size, they can run just a few essential systems or all the creature comforts one enjoys. Hanson recommends the systems be installed professionally and have an automatic transfer switch. When an interruption in service is detected, the switch disconnects from the power grid and starts the generator. The switch can also detect when the main power comes back on, and will shut down the generator and reconnect to the grid.
Benefits of a standby generator
- Seamless switching between systems means it is worry free. It means no fumbling in the dark looking for gas and trying to get a portable generator running. Also, portable generators must be operated outside, with extension cords running back inside the house to keep a portable generator’s carbon monoxide outside.
- The continual flow of power is of particular importance for people who depend on powered home medical equipment.
- Dependable electrical power can be critical for people working from home who need to stay connected.
- A regular power source ensures food doesn’t spoil in refrigerators or freezers. Power during an outage means continued use of electric appliances.
- Since the power, and therefore the heat, stays on, frozen pipes are not a worry.
- The transfer switch acts as a surge protector and prevents back-feeding electricity, which is potentially lethal since it can start fires.
- A discount on homeowner’s insurance might be available when a standby generator is installed.
Drawbacks to owning a standby generator
- They are noisy.
- Installation requires advanced plumbing and electrical work.
- Standby generators can be costly, especially for one large enough to run an entire house.
- They depend on a fuel supply, so it is important to verify there is an adequate fuel supply.
- They need regular maintenance. The generator is an engine, and it needs similar consistent maintenance like a vehicle may need.
Farmer/rancher and retired engineer Jerry Strobel installed a 17 Kilowatt (KW) Generac, propane- powered generator about a year ago. It cycles monthly, and has been dependable and troublefree. He purchased it at Costco for $3,000 and because he already had a manual transfer switch on his utility pole, was able to completely install it except for the final wiring. It provides adequate power to run essentials in the house and even additional appliances that aren’t usually needed in emergencies. It is located far enough from the house that the sound isn’t noticeable. He recommended the “cold weather start” kit.
“It has been a great investment,” said Strobel.
Darby Fulton, with Fulton Electric in Broadus, recommended homeowners have generators installed during a “non-emergency.” In 2012, Fulton Electric installed at least five generators in Powder River County to run essential services, and 20 more for homeowners during the following year. In 2014, after another extended power outage, Fulton was aware of at least five more generators installed in the county.
“Nearly every rancher dependent upon a pipeline for watering livestock now has a generator,” said Fulton. He estimated the cost of a “whole home set-up” with a 20 KW system providing 100 amps at a cost of $7,000-8,000, installed. He prefers some brands because of the warranties. Fulton also pointed out that when there is an emergency, generator availability is limited geographically. As a result, he has increased his inventory of supplies needed to provide faster service to customers in the event of a power failure.
The space needed to install a standby generator is approximately 3.5 feet x 5 feet. The surface needs to be level – the generator can be mounted on cement or treated timbers. It needs a power source, propane is a popular choice. Fulton explained the importance of an auto start – helpful because a generator can be programmed to auto start and run for a period of time weekly or monthly, called “self-exercising.”
This serves as a regular test for reliability, and “self-exercising is very important to keep the engine in good running condition,” said Fulton.
When sizeable investments like livestock or a home are at risk, the investment of a dedicated standby generator may be a tool worth considering.