Is it possible to have a generator powering a 2300 sq foot home as opposed to using the local electric company

Question

I have progress energy here in Raleigh, NC and they charge $0.10 per kilowatt which is outrageous. They are also a monopoly. I no option to switch electric companies. The home is 2300 square feet and is all electric. No gas appliances. Would it be possible to switch to a generator and just buy gas when needed? If so, how long would it be before I notice the savings?

Answer 1

You could buy a generator.

It is not likely that you would ever realize any savings.

First consider the capitol cost of the machine, installation and maintenance. Then fuel costs and wear and tear. Permitting and noise abatement might be a problem.

You would need a minimum of an 11 KW generator to replace a 100amp service.

That would require about a 15hp. continuous duty engine. You can look up what the consumption of fuel would be at manufacturer's sites.

Answer 2

I can't imagine you would save any money. You only pay for what you use with the electric company. With the generator you are generating power that you will never use. You can't be connected to the power grid with your generator. I would also think you local government would also have their hands in this. If you had a way of storing the excess power you generate it would certainly add. Think of this if this was really more efficient most third world countries would not be without power. One of their down falls is getting transmission line to their villages. These are very expensive to maintain. You should look into a wind mill. Here you can sell back to the power company the excess power you may generate. You can go to the Department of energy and get wind maps to determine the potential for this. Good Luck.

Answer 3

It is possible but not practical to generate your own electricity to power your home on a regular basis. The best way to save would be to reduce consumption. Consider changing all of your incandescent light bulbs to CFL light bulbs. They cost way cheaper to run than regular bulbs. Also, use an air-to-air heat pump or geothermal watersource heat pump instead of the regular air conditioning and a resistance electric furnace. An air-to-air can have up to a %200 coefficient of performance, and a geothermal can have %350 COP.
I work at an electric utility, and we'll ask people to heat with gas before installing an "old school" resistance electric furnace. Don't forget that not all types of electric heat are the same.
In Illinois, where i live and work, the service areas for electric companies are derived by the FCC, and would almost literally need an act of congress to get them changed or abolished.
The average rate for a municipal electric system is : $15 facility charge and $0.07/kwh (more or less)
The average for a Rural electric cooperative is: $15 facility charge and $0.09/kwh
With invest er owned utilities being involved in deregulation stuff right now, i don't have a number for their avg. cost.
Also, if you get charged for peak or demand usage, there are a number of things you could do. Get a generator and use it for your electricity during peak times, but return to regular line power when not on peak times. Do not use appliances during peak hours. postpone laundry cycles until peak time is over, and also put a timer switch on your water heater so it only operates during time periods when hot water will be used.
I could go on and on, but I'll stop for your sake. If you want to know more, let me know.

Answer 4

Large whole -house generators are expensive and quite noisy. There may be noise ordinances in your community. I don't think that a homeowner could generate electricity with fossil fuel (gasoline or natural gas) cheap enough to compete with the big guys. You can supplement your power with wind or solar and reduce your energy consumption significantly. The equipment will still take a long time to pay for itself. If you have moving water on your property, like a stream, you might make a mini-hydro plant.

Answer 5

Yes, but you have to understand the economy of scale the power company works under. The losses in your home generator are shared by only you. You pay for it all! The losses in the generation system of the power company is shared by many users. You only pay a part.

Because you cannot store fuel in an urban environment legally, you have a problem.

Your best bet is to minimize the power you do use. Solar blanket for the hot water heater, use efficient lighting, including solar lighting, and solid state TVs and monitors, for a few.

You might try playing the politic game and get involved, as they are a monopoly and can be influenced by the crooks you elect.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

The only practical way to reduce you energy costs is to reduce consumption where ever you can. If you have mostly incandescent lights in your home, change to the new fluorescent type, and things like that.

If you live in an area where you can put up even a small wind generator it can make a significant difference specially if you have a set of storage batteries and an inverter to convert it to AC as needed.

Answer 8

Savings? What savings? A gas-powered generator will cost you about $400 to $800 a month just in fuel. Not to mention the $5000 to $15,000 cost of the generator itself.

Answer 9

you will never get juice cheaper than $.10
try to use less.
get compact fluorescent bulbs $1
turn down the water heater (both thermostats) to 120deg.
use the microwave for cooking.
get energy star appliances.
Winter is coming, get oil filled space heaters, and electric blankies. got double paned windows?
If not, seal bad windows with a plastic kit.
MIKE

Answer 10

AT THE CURRENT COST OF GASOLINE YOU WOULD NEVER SHOW A SAVINGS. SORRY BUT PAY THE ELECTRIC CO. OR MOVE.