:: Frequently Asked Questions ::
What is an automatic standby generator?
An automatic standby generator is a back-up electrical system that operates
whether you are at home or away. It automatically supplies power to essential
circuits of your home within seconds of a utility outage. After utility power returns,
the generator shuts itself off and awaits the next outage. It operates on natural gas
or liquid propane and sits outside just like a central air conditioning unit.
What will it power?
Generac® standby generators supply electricity to the electrical panel circuits of
your home through a built-in load center. You select the number of circuits you want
to protect and match it to the appropriate generator system. Everything on that
circuit will be protected. Generac also powers furnaces, air conditioners, well
pumps, water heaters and other appliances that are hard wired into your electrical
panel.
Why should I buy an automatic standby generator instead of a portable
generator?
While portable generators do supply power, an automatic standby generator
produces a higher quality of electricity. It operates automatically and runs a weekly
self-test to ensure proper response to your needs. There are no extension cords to
plug in and no gas tanks to fill. It operates automatically so it protects your home
even when you're away. When utility power returns, the standby generator shuts
itself off.
What's the difference between air-cooled and liquid-cooled?
Air-cooled units use engines we design and manufacture specifically for our
smaller generators. Volume production helps us to keep cost down, making our air-
cooled generators the most affordable for our customers. They cover essential
circuits and back-up power needs in most residential applications. Liquid-cooled
units use automotive engines for increased horsepower. This makes them ideal
for larger requirements such as whole-house power coverage, larger homes and
commercial applications.
Do these generators have to be maintained?
Just like your car's engine, generators need periodic oil and filter changes. Many
customers rely on Generac’s preventative maintenance kits to satisfy routine
maintenance requirements. Refer to your owner's manual for routine maintenance
procedures and schedules. Kits can be purchased through the business that sold
you your Generac generator.
What is the advantage of an aluminum enclosure?
Aluminum is corrosion resistant, so it prolongs the life and look of the generator,
particularly in salt air communities.
What is Quiet-Test™?
Quiet-Test is a feature that reduces noise by up to 50% during the generator's
weekly self-test cycle. That makes it as quiet as a car idling in your driveway. The
generator starts up and operates at a reduced speed, lowering sound output by as
much as 12 decibels for units that normally run at higher speeds under load. This
allows for near-silent operation in test mode and satisfies all known sound
ordinances.
How do I select a generator that's right for me?
The most accurate way is to size a generator for any application is to measure the
total amount of electricity required to power the circuits or appliances that will
operate with emergency backup power. In addition, certain appliances such as
central air conditioners can require up to five times as much power to get them
started as they will use when running. When selecting a generator, that additional
starting requirement must be taken into consideration. Please contact Power Now
LLC. to select a generator that is correctly sized for your specific requirements.
Generac's 10, 14 or 16 circuit pre-wired systems make sizing easy for customers
who only want to back up a few essential circuits. You simply connect the circuits
you want to back up to matching circuits in the pre-wired transfer switch. For
customers concerned with air conditioning, you will need to make sure the kW
rating of the generator and the size of the circuit breakers in the transfer switch will
meet the A/C startup power requirements. The new 20 kW model, when matched
with the PowerManager LTS transfer switch, offers the most affordable whole
house protection on the market.
For larger homes that need Generac liquid-cooled models, a licensed electrician
must perform a site survey to determine the size and voltage of the unit to meet
your backup power needs.
How long does it take to install an automatic standby generator?
Generac home standby and QT Series generators offer the easiest installation in
the industry. Our air-cooled models are shipped with a tough composite mounting
pad and can often be installed in as little as four hours.
The generator that I've chosen has a 100-amp automatic transfer switch. What
if I have 200-amp service?
Emergency circuits should always be isolated by the emergency load center. An
isolated sub-panel helps to prevent overload situations.
What type of transfer switch do I need?
Our air-cooled home standby units and liquid-cooled QT models R-Series
controllers require RTS transfer switches (100-400 amps), QT models with the H-
100 controller and all QTA models require HTS transfer switches (100-800 amps).
Can a QT Series generator be installed inside my building?
Although our home standby and standard QT Series generators are designed for
outdoor installation only, our QTA models are available without an enclosure and
can be used for indoor applications. Contact Power Now LLC. for additional
information.
What type of oil is recommended?
15W-40 is recommended for all liquid-cooled units. The oil should be a SAE rated
high detergent oil that meets API Service Class SF requirements for gasoline
engines.
An automatic standby generator is a back-up electrical system that operates
whether you are at home or away. It automatically supplies power to essential
circuits of your home within seconds of a utility outage. After utility power returns,
the generator shuts itself off and awaits the next outage. It operates on natural gas
or liquid propane and sits outside just like a central air conditioning unit.
What will it power?
Generac® standby generators supply electricity to the electrical panel circuits of
your home through a built-in load center. You select the number of circuits you want
to protect and match it to the appropriate generator system. Everything on that
circuit will be protected. Generac also powers furnaces, air conditioners, well
pumps, water heaters and other appliances that are hard wired into your electrical
panel.
Why should I buy an automatic standby generator instead of a portable
generator?
While portable generators do supply power, an automatic standby generator
produces a higher quality of electricity. It operates automatically and runs a weekly
self-test to ensure proper response to your needs. There are no extension cords to
plug in and no gas tanks to fill. It operates automatically so it protects your home
even when you're away. When utility power returns, the standby generator shuts
itself off.
What's the difference between air-cooled and liquid-cooled?
Air-cooled units use engines we design and manufacture specifically for our
smaller generators. Volume production helps us to keep cost down, making our air-
cooled generators the most affordable for our customers. They cover essential
circuits and back-up power needs in most residential applications. Liquid-cooled
units use automotive engines for increased horsepower. This makes them ideal
for larger requirements such as whole-house power coverage, larger homes and
commercial applications.
Do these generators have to be maintained?
Just like your car's engine, generators need periodic oil and filter changes. Many
customers rely on Generac’s preventative maintenance kits to satisfy routine
maintenance requirements. Refer to your owner's manual for routine maintenance
procedures and schedules. Kits can be purchased through the business that sold
you your Generac generator.
What is the advantage of an aluminum enclosure?
Aluminum is corrosion resistant, so it prolongs the life and look of the generator,
particularly in salt air communities.
What is Quiet-Test™?
Quiet-Test is a feature that reduces noise by up to 50% during the generator's
weekly self-test cycle. That makes it as quiet as a car idling in your driveway. The
generator starts up and operates at a reduced speed, lowering sound output by as
much as 12 decibels for units that normally run at higher speeds under load. This
allows for near-silent operation in test mode and satisfies all known sound
ordinances.
How do I select a generator that's right for me?
The most accurate way is to size a generator for any application is to measure the
total amount of electricity required to power the circuits or appliances that will
operate with emergency backup power. In addition, certain appliances such as
central air conditioners can require up to five times as much power to get them
started as they will use when running. When selecting a generator, that additional
starting requirement must be taken into consideration. Please contact Power Now
LLC. to select a generator that is correctly sized for your specific requirements.
Generac's 10, 14 or 16 circuit pre-wired systems make sizing easy for customers
who only want to back up a few essential circuits. You simply connect the circuits
you want to back up to matching circuits in the pre-wired transfer switch. For
customers concerned with air conditioning, you will need to make sure the kW
rating of the generator and the size of the circuit breakers in the transfer switch will
meet the A/C startup power requirements. The new 20 kW model, when matched
with the PowerManager LTS transfer switch, offers the most affordable whole
house protection on the market.
For larger homes that need Generac liquid-cooled models, a licensed electrician
must perform a site survey to determine the size and voltage of the unit to meet
your backup power needs.
How long does it take to install an automatic standby generator?
Generac home standby and QT Series generators offer the easiest installation in
the industry. Our air-cooled models are shipped with a tough composite mounting
pad and can often be installed in as little as four hours.
The generator that I've chosen has a 100-amp automatic transfer switch. What
if I have 200-amp service?
Emergency circuits should always be isolated by the emergency load center. An
isolated sub-panel helps to prevent overload situations.
What type of transfer switch do I need?
Our air-cooled home standby units and liquid-cooled QT models R-Series
controllers require RTS transfer switches (100-400 amps), QT models with the H-
100 controller and all QTA models require HTS transfer switches (100-800 amps).
Can a QT Series generator be installed inside my building?
Although our home standby and standard QT Series generators are designed for
outdoor installation only, our QTA models are available without an enclosure and
can be used for indoor applications. Contact Power Now LLC. for additional
information.
What type of oil is recommended?
15W-40 is recommended for all liquid-cooled units. The oil should be a SAE rated
high detergent oil that meets API Service Class SF requirements for gasoline
engines.
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Power Now | (832) 448 - 0478 |