PowerSafe Power Systems FAQs   1) What is your service area? 2) What size generator do I need for my home? 3) How much does it cost to install a generator? 4) How loud is the generator? 5) Do the generators need elevated gas pressure to run? 6) How much service do the generators need once it is installed? 7) How long do they last? 8) How much does it cost a month to run the generator when it runs for 15 minutes a week? 9) Why am I getting so many diverse answers on what is needed to install a generator?     1) What is your service area? We service Richland, Crawford, Ashland, Morrow, Marion, Knox, Delaware, Licking, and Wayne counties. See the map below:   2) What size generator do I need for my home? Every home owner’s requirement is different but most homes fall in the 12kw or 15kw air cooled size. Business requirements are even more complex. The only real answer is to have PowerSafe provide a complimentary site assessment to recommend the proper solution for you and your home.   3) How much does it cost to install a generator? See PowerSafe What Does It Cost page to answer this question. We are the only company that lists real final costs to properly install your generator. The posted prices represent turn-key installed pricing including a two year maintenance contract. When you receive competitive pricing, be sure you compare the same scope of work and always get it in writing! As soon as you hear the words “you don’t need that for this installation” escort the guy to the door!   4) How loud is the generator? The air cooled generators are all about 70db’s at 20 feet. What does this mean? It means you can have a regular conversation between two people standing next to a running air cooled generator. Remember, Kohler, KatoLight, and Generac have been manufacturing generators for years; they are designed for residential neighborhoods and quiet office parks.   5) Do the generators need elevated gas pressure to run? MAYBE! If your Generac generator was installed before June of 2004, Yes, it does require between 11” and 14” of water column to run as designed on both natural gas and LP. The gas pressure supplied to your home is 6” of water column. Gas pressure must be elevated for maximum engine performance and to prevent stalling during applied loads. Unfortunately, many generators are installed with regular house pressure BEFORE June of 2004. This is unfortunate for when there is a power outage, the generators will most likely stall when an electrical load is applied. Call PowerSafe for a complimentary inspection of your Generac generator to see if it was installed correctly. Be sure your generator is not providing you a false sense of security! As part of every generator installation needing natural gas, PowerSafe installs a regulator reducing valve to reduce the gas pressure back to 6” after supplying elevated pressure to the generator. Every Generac gas installation needs to look like this if it was installed before June 2004. If it looks different than this.....it's wrong!! Notice the second gas reducing regulator on the load side of the meter. All Generac generator manufactured after June 2004 do not require elevated pressure for natural gas. To verify this, review page 7, section 1.6, in the Installation and Owners Manual. This will tell you the fuel requirements of your generator. Fule requirements for LP are still 11"-14"WC   6) How much service do the generators need once it is installed? A commitment must be made to properly maintain this electrical generating device. This is not an air-conditioning unit or furnace that can go years with out service. You are generating electricity! PowerSafe has on staff a Kohler, KatoLight, and Generac technicians that services and repairs Kohler, KatoLight, and Generac units. POWERSAFE follows the Kohler, KatoLight, and Generac service programs which include TWO site visits per year. See our maintenance pricing schedule for different programs.   7) How long do they last? A properly maintained generator should provide over 20 years of operation under emergency standby conditions. Keep in mind that the air cooled units are not intended to provide continuous power (24 hours a day, 365 days a year). The liquid cooled units are designed for continuous duty and will give you 6,000 to 8,000 hours of run life.   8) How much does it cost a month to run the generator when it runs for 15 minutes a week? Depending on the price of natural gas, it shouldn’t cost more than $4 or $5 per month to run the unit in test mode. During a power outage, under 50% load expect to pay less than $30/day for gas usage. A lot cheaper than a hotel room or spoiled food!   9) Why am I getting so many diverse answers on what is needed to install a generator? It’s called a “spectrum of competence”. Most “generator guys” are deficient in experience, training and commitment to the industry. They are looking for the sale and install only. As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. This is true for this industry as well. If you are looking for the cheapest price, please do not call PowerSafe. If you are looking for the best value for the money, long term commitment, and the peace of mind that your generator will start during the most important time for you and your family, POWERSAFE is the only authorized dealer for you.