Does anyone know if builders are placing as an option a standby residential generator?

Question

We are entering the Hurricane season and the whole country can be adversley impacted. Increasingly electrical power blinks, due to storms of all types.

I have one with a transfer switch and all, Kohler 12kw, I just think families need to be giving serious consideration about these items, just like you expect an air conditioner and furnace to be a part of your package. To me many are discouraged, by what appears to be the complexity for such an arrangement. I hope people will read this question and answer it with thought and awareness of what is going on around us.

Answer 1

Emergency preparedness is something everyone should be concerned with, not just those in hurricane regions. Winter snow or ice storms can create long power outages as well. I installed a generator transfer panel shortly after moving into my new home. It has served me well during outages, the longest being three days.
Read through my home generator page for other suggestions and ideas.
http://members.rennlist.org/warren/generator.html

Answer 2

You can get this done during construction, but it will be costly. In addition to the generator you would need a transfer switch to remove your house wiring from the utility grid when the generator is to run. Type Transfer Switches for an Internet search.. Good info there. Notice that transfer switches can be bought for any size generator. Problem is, the disconnect from the electric company has to be at the service entrance, and if you are to shed load, the circuits to be left on must be extended from the branch circuit panel to the transfer switch.

Answer 3

Builders will add (as an option) anything you request and pay for. It will be much cheaper to have it done during construction than adding it later.