Is is possible to have a generator connected to a home that has an electric heat pump?
I am about to sell my house and move into a townhouse. The bills including electric are cheap. It is an awesome place to live from what I can see. However since the entire complex has electric for heat (heat pumps) I was wondering is there a was to put a generator in just in case I lose power? Especially during the winter time. Last month, some parts of New England got hit with an ice storm and did not have power for several days.
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Tags: connected, Electric, generator, heat, heat heat, heat pumps, Home, New England, Possible, Power, pump, winter time
4 Responses to “Is is possible to have a generator connected to a home that has an electric heat pump?”
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Yes you can get generators large enough to power heat pumps.
you can get generators large enough to power a small town, that is not the problem. Your problems will be where to put it, getting permission from the condo association, and how to wire it up. For the latter you need advice from an electrician.
Find out how much power you need, it probably is very high, like 10kW or more, then price generators that size, and get dimensions of it. Remember it has to be located outside due to the exhaust.
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I have a geothermal heat pump on a 2pole 50 amp breaker. That is roughly 12,000 watts My well is another 3000 watts.
To be safe I would need 17,000 watt gen.
I do not know what your ele. heat pump draws? What size breaker is it on? That would be your starting point, then as your prior answer stated you would have to check out clearances and regulations.
Getting approval is one hurdle, the others are;
1. Is there available natural gas or propane?
2. Is permitting required by your city?
3. Do you want to power the whole town home or just certain parts, ( this has an impact on the size fo generator, thus price).
4. How far apart is the fuel source to your electrical panel, this determins the amount of plumbing material and electrical materials needed (thus price).
5. Generators are quiet especially if running at 1800 rpm vs 3600 rpm, will noise be a factor to neighbors?
6. Where will you install the transfer switch, indoor or outdoor?
These are not all the factors, but you get the idea.
The size will be determined by your electrical service, 100 amp, 200 amp, or larger. Size generator to electrical service, or buy a smaller generator that has a transfer swich with a built in breaker panel, allowing for generator to power only those circuits chosen by you and your electrician.
Good luck.