Folks, if you live in the Midwest or South you'd better consider a generator.
Last winter, during the Polar Vortex, the national electrical reserve was the output of four average-sized power plants. In December and January, utilities will be closing coal-fired power plants to comply with EPA regs. American electric Power (AEP) the nation's biggest generator will be shutting down a quarter of their fleet. Other utilities are in the same boat. Construction and commissioning of natural gas-fired plants will not make up the shortfall.
Blackouts are inevitable until the winter is very mild.
Blackouts will come on a rolling basis. Usually such events last about four hours. Less has no benefit. More risks mortality and/or massive property damage.
If you cannot weather this, you better have a generator. A 3000 kw Honda won't last long in this duty. A whole-house generator needs to have a rated output of 14 to 22 KVA. Natural gas is best but propane works just as well if you have it.
FWIW, the new EPA regs will bring no detectable improvement in air quality. The consumers' sacrifice will be for nothing.
Thank you EPA.
Will this affect the north and north west too?
Last winter was pretty bad. Fuel cost were terrible.
Quote from: Dori on October 20, 2014, 11:06:03 AM
Will this affect the north and north west too?
Last winter was pretty bad. Fuel cost were terrible.
I would say it will effect everyone East of the continental divide in some way.
It varies from state to state.
Vermont is mostly nuclear. Illiinois is about 50% nuclear.
Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia will get hammered.
Most of the US is winter-peaking.
All good points, sadly most people are not in the least bit prepared. A generator is cheap insurance.
Personal experience says have a stand alone generator, meaning not connected to public utility (Ng), you never know when a gas line might have an issue, most likely during an emergency and when you need it most.
Diesel is the best choice because of torque and extended life, though it can be a kit pricey. Propane is good, runs super clean, oil and exhaust, but you're still dealing with a 4 cycle engine.
Quote from: Taxcutter on October 20, 2014, 11:40:02 AM
It varies from state to state.
Vermont is mostly nuclear. Illiinois is about 50% nuclear.
Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia will get hammered.
Most of the US is winter-peaking.
I live between two dams on the Columbia river. Yet I have three back up generator. I remember in my state having Brownouts, when they move power to other states.