For one rural homeowner facing a double knee replacement and regular power outages from blizzards and high winds, deciding on a new generator before the fast-approaching winter was a high-stakes decision.
For advice, the homeowner turned to Reddit, explaining that their $2,000 budget and the extreme cold in their area could influence their fuel choice.
Here's what to know
On Reddit's r/generator, the original poster said they needed a new generator in place before knee surgery in late November. The backup unit would need to cover the basics: the fridge, TV, lights, furnace fan, and three pumps, a well pump, a sump pump, and a grinder pump. They also said a 50-amp receiver with a lockout had already been installed and that they were leaning toward a tri-fuel option for maximum flexibility.
"Looking tri fuel even though I understand that propane may freeze and not work?" the OP asked, also inquiring as to whether gasoline would be a problem in conditions "below -30 and wind chills of -50."
What commenters said
Several commenters recommended that the OP determine their load size before looking at different brands and models. They urged the homeowner to find the pumps' wattage or amperage first, with one commenter noting that "220 vs 110v makes a big difference in what size genny you need."
Other Redditors calculated rough estimates of what the OP would need, with one writing, "I would shoot for 12,000 or so peak watt generator which will give you around 8000 or so running watts on propane."
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
"Keep in mind that you can run into issues running on propane in the winter especially if trying to run on 20LB tanks," they added.
The thread highlighted the importance of considering both startup demand and running demand when determining the necessary capacity. For certain appliances and devices, such as pumps and air conditioners, startup demand can be significantly higher than the running wattage.
Cold-weather concerns
As for the OP's cold-weather concerns over fuel choice, replies focused on pressure rather than potentially frozen fuel. A commenter said propane does not literally freeze in subzero temperatures, but tank pressure can fall too low to keep up with generator demand. This problem is particularly evident with smaller tanks, making smaller portable cylinders a potential weak point even when the generator itself seems properly sized.
One commenter who had owned a similar setup in the past said an older 6,000-watt gasoline generator "used 10 gallons of gasoline per day" during Hurricane Isabel. For someone trying to stay close to a $2,000 budget, that fuel burn is a reminder that the generator's up-front cost isn't the only expense to consider.
Where can I learn more?
These stories delve into various aspects of generator ownership, including sizing, fuel choice, and winter use.
• A Generac owner learned two 20-pound tanks can become a winter weak point.
• One homeowner found a 13,000-watt tri-fuel unit ran pumps and AC, but not heat.
• Propane generator buyers found the line needs priming before blaming a bad regulator.
• A new WEN generator aced an outage on propane, then needed a carb swap for gas.
• Outage veterans said a smaller generator often makes more sense for 3-4 bedrooms.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
