The expense of any main appliance is the most essential consideration when making a purchase. Failing to think about all of the choices involved when buying an appliance for your home is the major element that house owners have a tendency to underestimate. Being no different, standby generators can also carry the burden of more than only the generator and delivery costs to take into account. The true cost a consumer or business will incur to install an emergency generator depends on the generating unit chosen, the type of automatic transfer switch, local codes and regulations, extra accessories, and installation labor and materials.
When you choose your automatic transfer switch this will greatly impact installation as well as labor and material costs. Some automated switches substitute the entire main service panel while others install between the main panel and the meter to select between utility power and emergency standby generator power for the entire home. Due to involving changing the homes service equipment, these switches will cost the most tot install. Some more uncomplicated installations that connect to the main panel and power only choose power circuits deemed necessary or critical will cost less in terms of equipment, labor, and materials. They connect to a double-pole breaker in the main panel for utility power and to the generator for emergency backup power. The switch distributes power to a sub-panel, or to circuit breakers contained within the switch. When a power outage occurs, they transfer the essential circuit to generator power. The rest of the circuits in the home continue to be devoid of power. There are variations on both of these options that can affect cost.
Installation of the automatic transfer switch is just one aspect of linking the standby generator to a home or business. Another factor you will need to take under consideration is wiring between the transfer switch and the building. It includes controller wiring for communication between the transfer switch and the generator, and feeder lines that carry electricity from the generator to the transfer switch for distribution to the home’s electrical system. Other wiring may incorporate remote, wired controllers installed inside the home and modules for taking care of 240-volt, high-voltage appliances such as air conditioners, electric dryers, water heaters, and well pumps. Possibly raising the cost of installation, each device is connected to a managed power device each requiring additional wiring.
Fuel runs through supply lines via the buildings natural gas line or an LP gas tank, fueling emergency backup power generators. In either case, the installation will require extra supply lines. A unique meter may be needed in a natural gas installation as it may not be able to supply the suitable volume of gas for the backup generator. In liquid propane installations you may require a new regulator for the same reason.
The ideal way to find the true costs surrounding the installation of standby power generators is to check with an installer authorized by the generator manufacturer. They can help you navigate permits and building departments and advise you on the type of installation that best suits your needs and your budget.
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