My wife and I are considering either getting a portable generator + window unit, or just say screw it and get a generac, for the next time (I assume a generac wouldn't be an option until after hurricane season).

What's a reasonable cost for a good portable generator, window AC unit, and cables to hook up the window unit, fridge, TV, internet, and some chargers/portable lights? Of course I'll need to store gas as well. The issue with CO concerns me a bit too, so i was considering putting it on the back porch with the windows closed, which hopefully would be good enough.

I'm not sure if I'm willing to pay $10-15k for a generac.

Nice. My issue is the only place i could realistically put a window unit is my third floor windows in the master bedroom. My first floor only has french doors and my second is basically sliding patio doors the only thing that opens.

ccaggie05 said:

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My wife and I are considering either getting a portable generator + window unit, or just say screw it and get a generac, for the next time (I assume a generac wouldn't be an option until after hurricane season).

What's a reasonable cost for a good portable generator, window AC unit, and cables to hook up the window unit, fridge, TV, internet, and some chargers/portable lights? Of course I'll need to store gas as well. The issue with CO concerns me a bit too, so i was considering putting it on the back porch with the windows closed, which hopefully would be good enough.

I'm not sure if I'm willing to pay $10-15k for a generac.

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For that, maybe $1000 to $1500.

htxag09 said:

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AgLA06 said:

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CowtownAg06 said:

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Cloud said:

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Has anyone heard of folks actually getting power restored today? Seems veeery quiet...

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Almost no progress being made on the outage tracker.

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There's a Million more people with power today than on Monday.

You guys are ridiculous.

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I think they specifically mean today. Lots of progress was made yesterday, especially yesterday afternoon. What was the number from last night/this morning vs. now?

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Yes just today... I thought that was pretty obvious.

jh0400 said:

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I'm running all of that currently off of a 3,000 watt Generac that is burning around seven gallons of gas per day. As much as I like the idea of upgrading to something bigger that could power more of the house for $1,500 (generator plus AC) and the morning run to refill my gas cans is hard to beat.

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It's even better if you go to a 15k trifuel tied into Natural Gas that powers everything and gas cans are a just a extra backup not usually needed.

ccaggie05 said:

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My wife and I are considering either getting a portable generator + window unit, or just say screw it and get a generac, for the next time (I assume a generac wouldn't be an option until after hurricane season).

What's a reasonable cost for a good portable generator, window AC unit, and cables to hook up the window unit, fridge, TV, internet, and some chargers/portable lights? Of course I'll need to store gas as well. The issue with CO concerns me a bit too, so i was considering putting it on the back porch with the windows closed, which hopefully would be good enough.

I'm not sure if I'm willing to pay $10-15k for a generac.

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The Generac IQ3500 can be had for around $1,000. Window units are a few hundred dollars, and extension cords are extension cords. The only splurge in my setup was the pair of Justrite metal gas cans.

ccaggie05 said:

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My wife and I are considering either getting a portable generator + window unit, or just say screw it and get a generac, for the next time (I assume a generac wouldn't be an option until after hurricane season).

What's a reasonable cost for a good portable generator, window AC unit, and cables to hook up the window unit, fridge, TV, internet, and some chargers/portable lights? Of course I'll need to store gas as well. The issue with CO concerns me a bit too, so i was considering putting it on the back porch with the windows closed, which hopefully would be good enough.

I'm not sure if I'm willing to pay $10-15k for a generac.

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Say $700 for a 5000W generator which should power what you're looking for easily. Portable AC unit I'd say around $300. And then you'd just need extension cords. Probably looking at around $1000 for that.

I was sort of pricing it out yesterday, I think you could do a whole home set up tapped into NG for sub-$4k.

Also, word of advice, don't run your generator on the back porch. Get enough extension cords to push it far away in your back yard. The exhaust from mine makes a dead spot in the grass directly behind it, but that's a small price to pay for not worrying about CO

ccaggie05 said:

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My wife and I are considering either getting a portable generator + window unit, or just say screw it and get a generac, for the next time (I assume a generac wouldn't be an option until after hurricane season).

What's a reasonable cost for a good portable generator, window AC unit, and cables to hook up the window unit, fridge, TV, internet, and some chargers/portable lights? Of course I'll need to store gas as well. The issue with CO concerns me a bit too, so i was considering putting it on the back porch with the windows closed, which hopefully would be good enough.

I'm not sure if I'm willing to pay $10-15k for a generac.

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Variables are going to be your electrical box situation and access to Natural Gas.

Generac is most likely going to be $15k-$20K.

For $5K, you can go this route.

https://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/Westinghouse-WGEN20000TFC-Portable-Generator/p154101.html

20K watt Tri Fuel ready Generator $4K
Natural Gas quick connect and hose $150
Through wall exhaust kit for detached garage $300
Electrical Disconnect and 50 amp inlet $500

So unknowns are Natural Gas line close enough or if you electrical box has to be upgraded to handel (usually not)

You can go cheaper with smaller generators, but also have to start managing what you can power

CO issues affect neighbors when you move it away from your house.

FYI Shell on montrose and Dallas has gas and a truck refueling now. No real line.

Good point. In my case, our backyards face each other with a drainage ditch in between. Plenty of ventilated area

CAR96 said:

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CO issues affect neighbors when you move it away from your house.

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I would think I'd be ok with it in the backyard because I don't have back neighbors. We have an open area behind us where some power lines are.

In the same vein, what a good easily removable option to secure it when in use? Big chain and lock? Or is cable better?

ccaggie05 said:

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My wife and I are considering either getting a portable generator + window unit, or just say screw it and get a generac, for the next time (I assume a generac wouldn't be an option until after hurricane season).

What's a reasonable cost for a good portable generator, window AC unit, and cables to hook up the window unit, fridge, TV, internet, and some chargers/portable lights? Of course I'll need to store gas as well. The issue with CO concerns me a bit too, so i was considering putting it on the back porch with the windows closed, which hopefully would be good enough.

I'm not sure if I'm willing to pay $10-15k for a generac.

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I have the 13000 trifuel Duramax. Paid just under $2k with tax when it was on sale on the Duramax website. I think normal price is $2400. It's prob hard to get right now, though.

Edit to add, the Duramax has a 3/4" gas inlet, which should be what your line is at your meter. Some units have a 1/2" inlet, and then you/your plunger has to do extra work to make them match up.

jenn96 said:

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In the same vein, what a good easily removable option to secure it when in use? Big chain and lock? Or is cable better?

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If you have a detached garage or shed, leave it set up and locked in there with a through wall exhaust kit.

It also helps cut down the noise a lot.

In that case maybe a portable AC? They are more expensive but you'll have more placement flexibility. We found that the ground floor is significantly cooler without power even before adding AC so we staged everything down here.

cena05 said:

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Breaker box and gas line are on opposite sides. How long do propane tanks last for home power?

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This is my situation. I posted about it a few pages back. My breaker box is in the garage on the west side of the house. Nat gas line and meter is outside on the east side of the house.

But I have an electrical box on the exterior of the house right near the gas meter. I'm hoping an electrician can connect directly to that.

However, my neighbor, who has the same issue, paid an electrician to run electrical from the garage breaker up the attic and then dropped it on the outside of the house near the gas.

I think that was the cheaper option compared to running extra gas line. It has the added benefit of not having to worry about a drop in your nat gas pressure in an extended run of pipe.

TXTransplant said:

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ccaggie05 said:

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My wife and I are considering either getting a portable generator + window unit, or just say screw it and get a generac, for the next time (I assume a generac wouldn't be an option until after hurricane season).

What's a reasonable cost for a good portable generator, window AC unit, and cables to hook up the window unit, fridge, TV, internet, and some chargers/portable lights? Of course I'll need to store gas as well. The issue with CO concerns me a bit too, so i was considering putting it on the back porch with the windows closed, which hopefully would be good enough.

I'm not sure if I'm willing to pay $10-15k for a generac.

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I have the 13000 trifuel Duramax. Paid just under $2k with tax when it was on sale on the Dura max website. I think normal price is $2400. It's prob hard to get right now, though.

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I have the 12K Duramax. It's in the shop right now just past warranty period and their customer service has been horrible. If I have to get a new one, it's going to be a Westinghouse so it's at least clean electric. I've been horribly disappointed in Duromax just trying to try and get them to help me troubleshoot the issue and buy parts.

How are you liking it so far? That's the one I'm planning to get with an interlock once this mess is over. I really like the natural gas option.

ETA AgLA06 that's frustrating to hear about their customer service.

Centerpoint data sucks.

Monday night 1.8 million customers impacted. Now it's only 1.3 million.

Why?

You would think it wasn't too close to the house since it was installed by "professionals". But, seems like the fact that CO is getting in the house is pretty much proof that it's installed too close to the house. I think there's a soffit vent close enough that the CO is getting in when you take into the wind direction.

jenn96 said:

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How are you liking it so far? That's the one I'm planning to get with an interlock once this mess is over. I really like the natural gas option.

ETA that's frustrating to hear about their customer service.

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Oh, everyone on the board is laughing at me because I literally just unboxed it last weekend. It's not hooked up. We drove around last night buying the plumbing fittings we need.

We had the option to hook it up the "old fashioned way", but I didn't nag my BF about it. He has an older, smaller generator, and I let him focus on running that so he can keep his bedroom cool at night. I think he's kicking himself he procrastinated on these new ones.

AgLA06 said:

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TXTransplant said:

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ccaggie05 said:

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My wife and I are considering either getting a portable generator + window unit, or just say screw it and get a generac, for the next time (I assume a generac wouldn't be an option until after hurricane season).

What's a reasonable cost for a good portable generator, window AC unit, and cables to hook up the window unit, fridge, TV, internet, and some chargers/portable lights? Of course I'll need to store gas as well. The issue with CO concerns me a bit too, so i was considering putting it on the back porch with the windows closed, which hopefully would be good enough.

I'm not sure if I'm willing to pay $10-15k for a generac.

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I have the 13000 trifuel Duramax. Paid just under $2k with tax when it was on sale on the Dura max website. I think normal price is $2400. It's prob hard to get right now, though.

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I have the 12K Duramax. It's in the shop right now just past warranty period and their customer service has been horrible. If I have to get a new one, it's going to be a Westinghouse so it's at least clean electric. I've been horribly disappointed in Duromax just trying to try and get them to help me troubleshoot the issue and buy parts.

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That's really disappointing to hear. Care to share any details, just so we know what could go wrong?

That's disappointing to hear. Now this is my new aspirational generator.

https://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/Westinghouse-WGEN20000TFC-Portable-Generator/p154101.html

AgLA06 said:

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combat wombat said:

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If you guys are running generals, make sure you have CO detectors in your house. My mom has had her generator for four years. It ran during a the freeze in 21 and after the derecho, both for extended periods of time, without any problems. For some reason, her CO detectors are going off this time around. Fire department called out and she did in fact have CO in the house. Had to shut the generator off.

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Yep. Direction of winds and how far it is from the house matters.

Hell, I take a detector with us when we travel now.

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This happened to me in the Derecho.

Air went completely still outside in the backyard and we were running a portable A/C unit off a window in the backyard (I have it setup to run my regular A/C now becuase of this). Portable A/C actually pulls air into the house, and the backyard was basically a bowl for exhaust.

After getting the house ventilated, Move the A/C to the front windows and put one of my garage fans blowing the exhaust out as an extra precaution.

Also added another CO alarm with a digital read out to have a bit more information . CO alarm go off on time weighted averages, not just a set level. Lower levels take much longer than high levels. Knowing that bit of info and being able to see if there is anything going on before it goes off is an extra piece of mind for me.

Gas stations around 10 and grand parkway all appear to have gas.