For Your Home
Generators
Before you buy your new generator make sure your contractor has verified that your gas service is adequate for your new appliance.
Extreme weather, construction, summertime brownouts and many other unforeseen complications can interrupt the electrical service you and your family depend on to continue your daily activities. With a natural gas standby power generator, when electricity is lost — day or night — you can be assured that your home will have all the comfort and convenience you depend on. With Washington area residents increasingly working from home, reliable on-site power generation is an indispensable tool for a home office.
A natural gas standby power generator is permanently installed outdoors, much like an air-conditioning unit. Components of typical standby power system include an automatic transfer switch, generator, battery charger and distribution panel. The transfer switch is the "brain" of your backup power system. It continually monitors the utility power for an interruption. If utility power fails, the transfer switch automatically starts the generator, transfers the electrical loads and restores power to your home. When utility power resumes, the transfer switch automatically reverses the process — whether you're home or away.
A residential backup generator system can be sized and wired for your home in one of two power distribution scenarios:
NOTE: Natural Gas Generators have unique gas volume1 demands and pressure2 requirements. To ensure proper installation of this appliance, please ensure 1) the correct gas service line3 capacity4 and pressure have been evaluated and verified; 2) your contractor has confirmed the requirements for the product being installed; and 3) you contact Washington Gas at 703.941.HEAT before installing a new natural gas appliance.
1. Essential Loads Power Distribution: This scenario supplies electrical power only to those devices you've pre-selected to receive power during a utility outage or power interruption. Examples of devices and appliances that may be considered essential are: a furnace, lighting, sump pump, refrigerator/freezer, security system and a garage door opener.
2. Whole house Power Distribution: This scenario enables you to power all devices in your home with the generator, as if they were using normal utility power.
Please be aware that there may be a charge for the installation of the split and/or upgraded meter. The Meter Contractor will notify the customers of these charges. Additionally, it is possible that the service line may need to be replaced, in which case there will be an additional charge. A Washington Gas Representative will notify the customer of the potential costs associated with a service line replacement.
To find out more about natural gas generators, Request a Free Products for the Home Buyers Guide. You may also visit our Online Video Library to get helpful tips on selecting the best natural gas home heating system for your home.
Interested in converting to natural gas? Click here to get all the details on adding a gas appliance. To get started, work with your contractor to complete this form.
1 Service line is an underground pipe that runs from the gas main to the meter.
2 Service line capacity is the maximum amount of gas in cfh, that will flow through the service line.
3 Gas pressure is the pounds per square inch (psi).
4 Gas volume is the amount of gas, in cfh, that an appliance will burn.
