generators

[izzzy8]

is it possiable to connect my hot water heater to my generator?

 

[aandpdan]

How big a generator do you have?

What is the rating on your water heater?

 

[Milton Shaw]

Electric hot water heaters usually have 3,000 to 4,500 watt heaters elements So it would run a small generator very hard. If gas water heater with vent fan, yes those could be run by generator very easily.

 

[TheShrine]

Welcome Izzy.

Yes you can. I do. You'll need a Gen with adequate rating for your water heater and the appropriate connections/plugs for heater and or Gen.

Gen rating is big question..plugs easy.

Good luck!

 

[Burtonrider10022]

Electric hot water heaters usually have 3,000 to 4,500 watt heaters elements So it would run a small generator very hard. If gas water heater with vent fan, yes those could be run by generator very easily.

I almost **** my pants "Oh god, my little Briggs 3250 will never run my hot water heater!" but then I finished reading the sentence and realized we have a gas one. DOH!

 

[nehog]

Folks, be aware that in some locations, hot water heaters have their own meter, which greatly complicates using them on a backup generator. (Our house has two meters, one for hot water, one for the house proper...)

 

[Worsedog]

Folks, be aware that in some locations, hot water heaters have their own meter, which greatly complicates using them on a backup generator. (Our house has two meters, one for hot water, one for the house proper...)

Sounds like yet another way for the utilities to get into your pocket.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Sounds like yet another way for the utilities to get into your pocket.

It saves you money, by turning off the water heater during peak periods. It's not a new thing, either - my parents had a separate meter for their water heater over fifty years ago.

 

[nehog]

Sounds like yet another way for the utilities to get into your pocket.

Nope, hot water electricity is cheaper, and flat rate (not based on how much you use.)

It saves you money, by turning off the water heater during peak periods. It's not a new thing, either - my parents had a separate meter for their water heater over fifty years ago.

Not a smart meter, can't be turned off (in my case) but just a different rate. Actually IIRC, the rate is the lowest rate on the stepped rate chart.

 

[Highbeam]

Nomatter how many meters you have, you can still unhook your water heater from the grid. Then hook it to the genset. I have actually seen that water heaters use either 4500 or 5500 watt elements, not seen a 3000.

The water heater element is a resistance load so it is very steady and easy on a properly sized genset. Compared to a motor load which has a big surge on startup.

Yes, you can heat water with a generator.

 

[nehog]

Nomatter how many meters you have, you can still unhook your water heater from the grid. Then hook it to the genset. I have actually seen that water heaters use either 4500 or 5500 watt elements, not seen a 3000.

The water heater element is a resistance load so it is very steady and easy on a properly sized genset. Compared to a motor load which has a big surge on startup.

Yes, you can heat water with a generator.

Actually the panel for the water heater is sealed (with the same type seal as on the meter!) but you are right, it would be trivial to disconnect it (at the water heater) and run a temporary to the generator. Only thing one should keep in mind is that most water heaters draw either 4500 or 5500 watts so the average generator would power the water heater and not much else.

 

[kald]

Disconnect the top element. Twice as long to heat long but half the current draw.

 

[nehog]

Disconnect the top element. Twice as long to heat long but half the current draw.

Meaningless. No water heater turns on both at the same time. When the top element is turned on, the bottom one is turned off. Normally only the bottom element is used... When full of cold water, then the top one heats the water at the top of the tank, when that gets hot enough, then the bottom one is then switched on to heat the bottom half.

 

[2manytoyz]

Power goes off fairly frequently in FL. A common but dangerous thing to do is turn off the main breakers, make a suicide power cord, and plug into the dryer outlet to back feed the house. This way the water heater, and both sides of the panel can be powered.

I would recommend disconnecting the power cable going to the water heater, and putting in an outlet on the wall, and a 220V plug on the tank. This would make it easy to unplug the W/H from the house, and plug it into the generator via an extension cord (please don't run a generator in the garage).

Or... put in a transfer switch and be done with it.

I took a different path. Hurricanes are common here. In 2004, we lost power for 18 days. Almost impossible to feed a conventional generator for that period of time since gas stations were closed - they didn't have power either. I bought a Yamaha EF2400iS inverter type, which only uses 1.6 gallons in 8 hours (1/4 load) vs. 1.0 to 1.5 gallons per hour with a conventional generator.

I can't run my W/H, but I can run a 5000 BTU A/C window shaker, TV, lights, fan, computer, etc. I keep our 25' travel trailer next to our house, and it has a shower and fridge that both use propane as the energy source.

 

[Tankmister]

I recently built a new house and I had a generator panel installed. When the power goes out I go down to my panel and flick a switch on the generator panel from ulility power to generator power. It has 12 circuits, which I have certain lights, electric hot water tank, two fridges, deep freeze, some recepticales and my water pump.

I use a 8,000 watt, 10,000 surge Briggs and Stratton genny with no issues.

Power went out for 24 hrs a few weeks ago and I went through 10 gallons of fuel. Mind you it was turned off all from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.