How to Install an Automatic Standby Generator | Ask This Old House

This Old House host Kevin O'Connor describes how to combat power outages with a standby generator.

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Steps for How to Install an Automatic Standby Generator
1. Install the generator at least 5 feet from all windows and doors.
2. Set the generator on top of a pre-cast concrete pad that's supported by a compacted gravel bed.
3. Secure the generator to the pad with four stainless-steel bolts.
4. Have a plumber connect a natural-gas line to the generator.
5. Have an electrician run a line-voltage cable to the generator.
6. The generator tests itself automatically by turning on every two weeks and running for about 20 minutes.
7. Each time the generator kicks on, a diagnostic signal is sent via the Internet to the homeowner and electrician.
8. A transfer switch is installed beside the electrical meter; it sends electricity into the house when the power goes out and the generator kicks on.

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How to Install an Automatic Standby Generator | Ask This Old House

[Random-rtec]

Step 1 - Write a good sized $check. Step 2. Watch it being installed. Step 3. Hope the gas company keeps the gas on.

[robertyoung]

This makes it look much easier than it is to hook one of these up.

We have a Koehler whole house generator.
It took a three man team about 10 hours to set our generator and transfer switch up.
Total cost $15, 000.00.
That was about nine years ago.

My advice:

Hire a company that specializes is generator installation and servicing.

Buy a service contract for yearly service (oil changes etc) and priority repairs in the event of a widespread power outage. Our service contract costs about $400.00 each year plus parts.

Our generator burns about $3.00 in fuel every hour it runs. After nine years it has approx 600 hours on it here in rural Vermont.

Buy a generator big enough to power everything you own (heating, cooling, cooking and your well if you have one)

I’m sure glad we have our Koehler. They are not cheap.

[derf_the_mule]

How convenient the plumbing was so perfectly sized and located and painted, the anchors were already installed, and the electric completed and cut to perfect length. Man, I wish my installs were this convenient.

[travel]

I have had a backup generator for 10 years. A lot of peace of mind. I have had outages lasting several days. But all essential circuits were covered but the generator. Heat, fridge, sump pump and a lot of the circuits were covered. Where I live the local utility is not reliable. I am very happy to have this.
My electrician installed it when I built my house but could not get it to work properly. I looked at the installation and found that it had not been properly grounded. Since then I have had 10 years of trouble free power back up

[mannyramirez]

"So the homeowner knows when the power is out and what do you need to know?" LOL

[McCuneWindandSolar]

been nice to see more than just bolting it down, and hooked the gas up like how all connections were installed.

[larrysacks]

We have a Cummins whole house generator that handles all our buildings on our property. A 6200 sq ft garage with a full size 1600 sq ft apt…it has 5 mini split/heat pumps. Our 4200 sq ft house with 2 central ac units. We have lost power and the only way we knew was our neighborhood was dark. It is a great piece of mind in summer and winter. With 2 transfer switches, power lines between buildings, concrete work, etc. it cost about 30K all in.. ours is 38Kw and is very quiet. It was money well spent.

[tripjet]

Producer: "Forget about checking for a gas leak, etc. Let's get it done for the camera, get the production gear back on the truck and get the hell out of here! There's a game on, tonight."

[lucasloud]

How to install a generator. Step one: buy a crane

[Albrecht]

1:26 Isn´t the flexible hose a few Millimeters to short?
Greetings from germany

[williamheyman]

We have a Kohler 20KW whole-house generator and it works very well. And is has to since we are in the Sierra Nevada in California and PG&E shuts off the power all the time. The only warning is that dealers and maintenance seems hard to find. The original dealer lost his relationship, and refused to service it, after he recommended it. You can't do the maintenance yourself, or keep up with the upgrades. Probably the most important thing is the service network. Actually the most important thing. It's $6K down the drain if you cannot get service. So forget the name. Look at who does the service. Kohler is great but my only service comes from Sacramento, CA, Reno NV, or Martinez, CA, all hours away. Check the service first.

[Robertish]

I need one of these for my medical equipment when power goes off

[AlexGarcia-vvux]

Love to see the critics about Scott Caron but I don’t see any of the critics being a master electrician owning his or her own electric/plumbing/Hvac company named after them and being on t.v . Would be honored to work next to a skilled craftsmen like him.

[xvx]

This was less of a "how to install" and more of a "hey don't you want one? they're so easy!"

[MarshallSmith]

Comment section full of master electricians it seems hahahaha

[Alpejohn]

Mounting bolts with no washers.. 0:54 Come on.. Who does that..
And i wanted to see it

[rupe]

They left out many of the finer points, but this is not a full episode. Copper or aluminum can be used as long as it's stranded, not solid. (code for vibration issues) Code also calls for a sediment leg (drip leg) in the gas pipe, which they did not install. The internet connection for fault messaging will be re-established when the unit powers up the house, but the real reason for the cat-5 wire is communication with the transfer switch, which can also be wired with copper, but has fewer options. (gives you the option of doing a retrofit without pulling new wires) The internal contactor of the transfer switch has multiple contacts so the power feed (gen or utility) is one or the other. It can never be both at the same time, which is the safety function of this device. New code in recent years also calls for signage at the meter stating that there's an automatic generator connected to the home so any electrician or fire department needing to kill the power will know to disable the gen set. This is national code in the USA so I'm amazed they didn't mention it.

[Kristina-gzwu]

I like Scott, you should add him to your regular team.

[MrPepelongstockings]

"Stainless steel so it will never rust"

*Switches electricians

[onecrazywheel]

Aluminum should never be run to a piece of equipment with vibration. Ever. It has to be ran in copper wiring instead. Great video overall.