Anyone familiar with a gov't. program to assist homeowners after a hurricane?

[John Schmidt]

More specifically, I'm thinking seriously of investing in a "whole house" generator, one of those that's permanently hooked up and comes on automatically. The size I'd need would be at least 20kw, more likely a 22kw. We periodically lose power due to summer storms, often for many hours, sometimes over night. With my wife's failing health, this hurricane really did a number on her and we were only out of power for 2 1/2 days. Even with two small gen. running fans and the fridge, plus some small appliances(coffee & toaster, etc.), the temp in the house went over 90 degrees. We even had a huge 36" industrial floor fan running part of the time but things didn't cool much until evening. With the heat she became quite ill, I was ready to take her to the ER but she refused. There were no hotel rooms to be had withing 50 miles, and she wouldn't have been able to ride 50 miles anyway. One of those large Generacs or similar would run about $5k which is well out of our budget, we could do it but it means dipping into sources I'd rather not have to tap. I'd be happy with something in the 10kw range, that would let us run the a/c(5 ton), a number of lights and small appliances....the main thing would be the a/c.

If it were just me, I could handle it or simply leave the area for a few days. But with the two of us, it's not possible now. I've given thought to a window unit but for us it's not a viable situation, it's not all that would be needed for her minimal comfort. One good thing we had going for us is our solar panel for hot water. The recirculating pump and the temp variation controls are all self contained on a separate panel that merely plugs into the wall. It uses very little juice to operate and circulate the water from the roof. I ran one long cord into the closet where the water heater is located and plugged the pump into it. Voila....we had hot water once the sun came back out....which it surely did. If I don't have to undergo another hurricane for another 14 years, I sure hope the nursing home I'm living in takes good care of me....assuming I live to be 94. I told my girls I'm living to be 100....so far, so good. 

[Jess from VA]

I've got a big generator that will run everything.... except no 220V.  So no AC.  I do have a bedroom window unit it will run with no problem.  I lost power for days, and I had one room that stayed nice and cool, and I could sleep.  It is a portable, but I spent a lot of time sealing it into that window and adding insulation to the expanding doors (and to keep bugs out); I don't ever take it out.  (I know you said that is out)

You know, I had a guy loan me a small window unit for a rustic cabin weekend (that was going to push 100*).  I didn't even try to put it in a window, just set it on the floor.  It perspired a little bit, easily wiped up.  But it still put out decent cool air in a single room. That is not something you'd want to do full time, but just for emergencies, why not?

The whole house Generac (or whatever) is spendy, but if you have natural gas (piped to the house) that is the way to go.  I think underground gas is only a problem if you get earthquakes.   

[CajunRider]

I don't know about the Gov. Programs and such... but I will say a thing or two about the generator.

First, figure out what size you'll need for your house... then go 20% bigger.  OR... just match the current rating of your MAIN breaker (which will pout you quite a bit bigger then needed, but it's easy to calculate).  Also, make sure it's 220VAC... if you're spending the money for "whole house", you want to be able to run AC, washer, drier, stove, etc. etc. etc.

Second, install a proper transfer switch. I like the manual types, you may rather the auto types.  But the main idea is that you disconnect the city supply BEFORE connecting the generator (and vise-verse).  You don't want to be the guy that back-feeds the city and electrocutes the poor guy trying to fix your downed power lines. 

Third... and a lot may disagree with me here...

Go with Diesel (preferably one without any type of "regen" stuff on it).  My dad has a diesel... that thing will sit all year without being touched.  Power goes out, he turns a key and it's running. 

I've seen many gasoline models not run when needed because the fuel has gone bad, so I stay away from those except for the small generators (5K Watt or less). 

Natural Gas, if available at your house, can be piped directly into the generator... which sounds great cause you never have to re-fuel... but what happens if the gas company thinks there's a leak in your neighborhood and shuts down the line???  Now you have NO fuel.  I'm in hurricane alley down here, so I've seen that one a LOT.  I've seen people lose power for weeks, with a non-running $15K generator tied to the house. 

Propane is decent, but you'll also need to have a tank installed to fuel it... AND you are still relying on someone ELSE to come refuel you when you run low.

With Diesel, the fuel doesn't go bad (at least not NEAR as fast as gasoline) and YOU are the only person you need to rely on to keep fuel in the tank. 

[RP#62]

After one of the big hurricanes hit Pensacola (don't remember which one, but its the one that took out the I-10 bridge over Escambia Bay) and took out the power for three months, my dad put a whole house generator in.  This one runs on natural gas since they already had it to the house and had never had it shut off through numerous hurricanes.  It comes on automatically if the power goes out.  My dad is 93 and said they didn't want to be without ac in the summer ever again.

-RP

[Ramie]

Diesel would be nice but their going to be more expensive.  You can buy used Military surplus units.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Military-10-KW-Fermont-MEP-803A-Onan-Diesel-Generator-60HZ-1-3-Phase/372051946072?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150313114020%26meid%3Da8e14649f69c4904a5c7ce97c46acc57%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D12%26rkt%3D30%26sd%3D182742103444&_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726

[scooperhsd]

20-30 KW ought to be big enough for ANYONE to run HVAC and  normal  house. I have a TED5000 (needs replaced) and I never saw more than 16-20 KW instant use (You would want to shutdown any electric tankless water heaters though  - the 1 GPM unit I have in my kitchen can use 9.5 KW). The other peak power draw (besides HVAC) is the electric dryer.

Now if you want to get into longterm no-power (or off grid) - you CAN find propane refridgerators / freezers (even 21 CU Foot ones !) and gas dryers (would still need 120V for the motor). You might also want to consider gas ranges (I use a gas (propane) cooktop). being able to start them without 120V is a plus IMO. You would also want to consider a gas water heater if possible.

Spend the money and get a GOOD unit. Quieter, more heavy duty, etc.

[Karen]

Amazed at the resources and knowledge on this board. Apparently Valkyries attract smaht people!

[John Schmidt]

Amazed at the resources and knowledge on this board. Apparently Valkyries attract smaht people!

Karen, I never cease to be amazed at the vast variety of knowledge this group of people have, seems what ever the question may be, we can get it covered. Not sure just what I'll do yet, I know natural gas is out....don't have it in our area but is available in other sections of the city. I like the idea of the diesel but it's probably rather noisy. I know a guy that has a regular gas powered unit for sale, 22kw, for a decent price but don't know the condition of it. I don't know if it was his and has been replaced or if he bought it to fix and resell. Right now I have other fish to fry; i.e., dealing with the insurance company. That's more of a challenge than living through the 'cane and its aftermath. 

[WoodyFL]

John,
From what I understand if you have medical issues FEMA can reimburse for a generator. Try submitting a claim and see what happens.

Bob

[Robert]

I have a Generac natural gas unit 18k and it does the whole house. Lost power Sunday AM turned the thing on and it was a one of the saving graces of the storm. Power was not restored until Wednesday PM and the generator ran constantly. We had ac, lights, and the only appliance I could not comfortably run was the electric dryer. The AC unit is a 4 ton and starting you could hear the gen slow a bit but had no problem running it. I was without power for 21 days in the last storm so I did not want to go through that again. Mine like I said is natural gas and my water heater is also so no problem.

 With a natural gas Generac you can use LP at a flick of a switch on the unit. So you do have a dual fuel unit which most people don't know. The diesel is always the best as long as you have a big enough tank and can get fuel. They run at 1800 RPM instead of 3600 RPM and are less noisy than the gas units. They also tend to be a bit more durable since they do run slower, but they are more expensive. Sometimes diesel units provide cleaner power also since they don't have dirty power like some gen sets do. But remember do you want to go out and find diesel fuel or store it. The natural gas unit is nice since there is no gas to store and its always available. A interlock switch is available for most power panels to cut off the mains and turn on the generator. This is in contrast to a automatic switch that has to be wired into the fuse panel and requires alot more money, time and effort, but its fully automatic. I decided to go the interlock way since I wanted all the circuits at my house to have power. A LP tank can be installed at your house also to run the generator but then you will have to have someone come and fill it, an unknown delivery in a crisis situation.

Install with all the permits can also be expensive but if you got a unit mounted on a trailer and kept the thing in the back yard till needed and plug it into the house via installed plug you may be able to get around the cost a bit.

[scooperhsd]

I'd like the idea of a generator, but in the years since we moved in (Thanksgiving 1995), the very longest we have ever been without power was just over 24 hours with Hurricane Fran. All other outages have been 12 hours or less. We see an event that will take away power - we fill up beer bucket / stock pot for  potable water (we are on a well) and grab water as needed from the pool to flush the toilets. I've got the 360 gallon propane tank, but haven't bothered with the electrical side. Plus side to having underground utilities and close to a mainpower line for the town.

That doesn't stop me from keeping up with what's out there / best practices, etc.

[Jess from VA]

I'd like the idea of a generator, but in the years since we moved in (Thanksgiving 1995), the very longest we have ever been without power was just over 24 hours with Hurricane Fran. All other outages have been 12 hours or less. We see an event that will take away power - we fill up beer bucket / stock pot for potable water (we are on a well) and grab water as needed from the pool to flush the toilets. I've got the 360 gallon propane tank, but haven't bothered with the electrical side. Plus side to having underground utilities and close to a main power line for the town.

That doesn't stop me from keeping up with what's out there / best practices, etc.

I've heard of stocking up on pot for many purposes, but never for potable water.   


But seriously, how one prepares for emergencies, power outages, or other problems must be based on one's own regional geography, weather, history of experience, and available budget.  What works and is reasonably necessary for some, is not necessary for others. 

We used to lose power in my neighborhood several to 7/8 times a year, usually only for short periods of 1-5 hours, mostly in fall, winter and spring ice storms.  Then we lost it for a day and a half, then 3-4 days in a hot summer, and it took on a new importance. 

I spent a lot of time looking at all my options.  I could not justify thousands for a whole house 220 Volt (AC supporting) system, which was also going to cost me a few more thousands for installation, tearing up a bunch of concrete (for natural gas), but I did go to a much better/bigger gasoline Honda engine (but not brand name) generator with battery starter (as I had about dislocated my shoulder several times from all the rope pulling, and rope breaking, on a big engine.... nearly always in the dead of night in pitch darkness). 

Of course, since that time, I have not lost power at all (or only for brief periods), and I have not yet used it at all.  This is karma.

This still left me with the problem of storing gasoline; and storing ethanol polluted gas is a bad idea.  Living in an urban area with a multitude of gas stations, I discovered that a high percentage have their own backup generators, so fresh polluted gas should always be available.  And my car is always full of 17 gallons.  Good gas is a 100 mile round trip, at the closest.

 

[John Schmidt]

All our utilities are underground in this area, it was the feeder line to the area that took a hit; two trees blew down and took the lines with them. Also blocked the street. The problem was nobody would start cutting up the trees with a hot line tangled up in them, an obvious deterrent I'd say. We finally got in touch with the power company involved and they killed the power long enough for the trees to be cleared. Once cleared, we had power in about 2 hours.

As for a NG powered unit, can't do it in our 'hood....no gas. That leaves LP, gasoline, or diesel.

[old2soon]

All our utilities are underground in this area, it was the feeder line to the area that took a hit; two trees blew down and took the lines with them. Also blocked the street. The problem was nobody would start cutting up the trees with a hot line tangled up in them, an obvious deterrent I'd say. We finally got in touch with the power company involved and they killed the power long enough for the trees to be cleared. Once cleared, we had power in about 2 hours.

As for a NG powered unit, can't do it in our 'hood....no gas. That leaves LP, gasoline, or diesel.

               Without access to nat gas consider What is easier to store long term and figure how Long diesel-ya see which way I'm leanin-can be stored with treatment and still be viable. We here as a group KNOW polluted gasoline do NOT store well long term. With some help on the purchase a used Military unit Might be a good option. Help as in somebody/someone that has worked with them/on them recently. That keepin it as a trailer mounted unit has a certain appeal for me BUT I know Not your zoning laws. You Can and I have gotten good deals at military auctions but pigs in a poke are also available.  Hope you come up with a solution good fer you and Rita. RIDE SAFE.