The subject of generators comes up every often when folks talk about losing power. I’m not a big fan of generators. Please understand that if you have one and you love it, love having the security of having the backup power . . I’m happy for you and I’m certainly not against generators. If we had medical issues that required having a non-interrupted supply of electricity, I would definitely have a whole house backup with a huge fuel tank. We don’t have medical issues that require constant power.
Also, if I had young children or teens who had never learned to entertain themselves without electronic gadgets, I’d have a whole house generator just to save my sanity. Kids who are used to air conditioning, long hot showers, TV, video games, cell phones, ipads . . you do what you have to do to keep them happy. That’s not what I would do but from seeing most of the teens these days . . that’s probably what most folks would do.
We always had fun when the power went out. In fact, when it went out last night, my first thought was Oh, good . . I can test my emergency plan. My emergency plan did not take into account that my husband cannot survive one evening without the TV.
We’ve had experience with big generators, small generators and whole house generators. We’ve lived where we’ve lost power for 7+ days due to an ice storm in Louisiana, a tornado in Kentucky and a snow/ice storm in Kentucky. In Missouri, where tornadoes were so prevalent, we never lost power more than a few hours and I think that happened fairly often because I made brownies for the electric crew.
Who would think we would have lost power for a week due to an ice storm in southwest Louisiana? Our power was out last night due to lightening striking dead grass and causing a fire . . spitting distance from my house. We (speaking for Vince and myself) don’t thank the firemen enough for what they do. When I think that the recent wildfires in Colorado started from a lightning strike, I realize how lucky we were that our fire departments very quickly got the fires out. It’s so dry and there’s such a wildfire danger.
The reason we do not have a whole house generator is that the cost vs. the utility/convenience just isn’t worth it for us at the current time. That may change . . and it may change tomorrow. Our decision is based on the cost of the generator and the cost of running it vs. how often we need it and how well prepared we are to survive fairly comfortably without power. If you’re going to spend the money to buy the generator, and then scrimp on running it when needed, that makes no sense. If you’ve ever run one for a week, you’re willing to spend more cash on fuel than we are.
Even in the 100+ summers, I’m outside more than I’m inside. I’m usually working in the yard or garden, dealing with the chickens or just piddling out there. I love being outside (you probably noticed with the lack of sewing to show). There’s almost always a breeze . . though it’s often a very warm breeze. No matter how warm it is here, there’s hardly ever a time when it isn’t comfortable sitting on the porch.
We’re lucky that most nights, the temps drop to the low 70’s so with the windows open, we can sleep comfortably. We’re also lucky that it’s safe enough here that we’re able to leave our windows open. As long as we can sleep and eat, we’re ok.
We have 2 or 3 (or knowing Vince . . 5 or 6) small generators, some diesel and some gasoline. One is dedicated to the well and one is dedicated to the freezers/fridges in the shop. That’s honestly all the power we need to survive. We would run the well pump just to fill the tank. Last night we both took showers from water in the tank and didn’t empty it. The generator would run less than 30 minutes a day if we both took two showers and used additional water for watering the chickens, cows and used water for cooking. For the freezers, my goal is to keep them running at least 4 hours out of every 24 hour period and to keep the door closed! For those small amounts of generator power, we don’t need the whole house generator.
For all of us, the most important thing is to have a plan . . whatever that plan might be, and know ahead of time how you’re going to handle a power interruption . . be in a short one or a long one.
Kathy Wilson says
Glad we have a generator in our RV. The power went out halfway through the baking of my banana bread today. Turn the generator on and my Olympic withdrawal was over in minutes!
SarahB says
We don’t have a generator and we survived just fine, however, there was always an initial scramble to move food into someone else’s freezer. Now that we are on a well I think we will have to consider a small generator to run the well and freezer during extended power outages. Something I hadn’t considered till now…
Karen says
We don’t have a generator but are seriously looking into one as last fall we were without power for a week (we had a flood in our area and the water took out the poles between our house and town.). Thursday we were without power for 12 hours due to severe storms/tornadoes. It has been happening more frequently. I have medicine that requires refrigeration and an electric stove, besides the refrigerator. Rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. During last fall’s flood, generators were flying out of the stores. We were able to borrow generators as needed-thankfully.
Karen says
Just wanted to add, this wouldn’t be a whole house type generator, enough for the refrig., lights, the well/pump. We had supper this evening with my sister-in-law, husband and grandson. They are still without power since Thursday’s storm. They do have a generator for the refrig., water etc. It does make life a little easier during what can be a difficult time.
Judy D in WA says
I like the security of having the generator. It’s nice to plug in the freezers and fridge. I remember a winter when we had a terrible ice storm. We were without power for 17 days. We survived just fine. It’s all about planning ahead and being prepared. 🙂
Missy says
I have oil lamps we use when the lights go out. We call it game night and pull out the board games, it’s a great chance to bond without the tv and computer.
LadyBaltimore says
When the tornadoes ripped through Alabama in 2011, we were without power for almost ten days. We were fortunate we had no other damage. We bought a generator that week for the refrigerator and to have a few lights on. There were tons of food from refrigerators and freezers that got thrown in the garbage because of the extended power outage. But we sure have a plan for emergencies now!
Lynne in Hawaii says
Sounds like you have the freezers and the well pump covered! We have considered a solar generator. That way you do not have to store fuel and you gotta admit…you got sunshine!
Judy L. says
Just be sure to check the watts and see how much you can run with a solar generator. We have lots of sunshine here but found that the solar generators just don’t produce enough power.
Cheryl in Iowa says
I was so pleased to lose power ….this was a long time ago, during a rain storm. In my mind I pictured a quiet evening at home in front of a cozy fire. What I did not picture was the sump pump not working….or the basement filling up with water from the torrential rain. It is not the least romantic to mop and sponge up water squishing around the basement…I love the battery back-up!
Judy L. says
I should have added that if we had a sump pump, we would probably have it hooked up to a generator. We don’t have a sump pump. When we’ve looked at houses, we’ve had more than one disagreement because I would like a house with a sump pump but Vince always said no way.
Regina says
We have a small one for the sump pumps and freezer/fridge, but whole house is just not cost effective for us, either. I laughed on your other post about finding out that your gas burners work without the electricity. Good to know in your master emergency plan!
Judy L. says
I had planned to buy a small gas stove that is made to light with a match so I was thrilled that mine does.
Janna says
I’m with you Judy, the cost of those whole house generators does not justify itself. We have a small generator for kicking on the refrigerators and freezer and to pump water if need be. And if it was an extended outage, the generator in our motorhome is HUGE–it would power our whole house I guess! :))
Judy Whitehead says
You make a very good point Judy. We have a small generator, but are looking into a larger unit that will run the well and the house a/c and keep the refrigerator and freezer cold. Several years ago the small one we had for convenience was enough. Now with the asthma and the humidity we have here in the summer, it’s no longer enough. When the power went out a couple weeks ago, within 45 minutes it changed my ability to breath comfortably. For us it’s becoming a health issue……….but I still don’t like the cost. ;>)
Elizabeth Johnson says
We have a big pigtail thing (http://www.intheboondocks.blogspot.com/2012/07/Hum-of-generators.html) that is useful for running a few fans and TV in the house. My husband runs the freezers too! Everything is in the house but like you the expense of whole house generator is to much! We lost nothing, just had to find other things to do. Oh and I charged the ipad and nook color and we read and played games when it got to dark to play outside.