Comment Re: and... (Score 1) 299
But a generator will likely run indefinately (provided you have enough fuel), vs a battery that will only power things for a limited time in a longer period blackout. Once your out, your out. Vs being able to keep a generator running and filling up gas every so often.
And! and! and.... The generator costs money to buy use and maintain, and it has to be exercised, because that fuel has to be used - you don't want old fuel in an emergency generator, Stabil or no Stabil. Its just one more thing that the some folks don't take into account when they do their ROI's and other calculations based on something that they just don't like.
And if you want to see some real dollars go away, try replacing your entire house hotel load of power needs with an appropriately sized generator. Running a big freezer, an oil furnace, refrigerator, and all tungsten lights (assuming a person who hates this idea hates cfls or led lights too) is going to get you some serious bucks involved. Don't forget your capacity has to be enough so that you can handle the motor startups on the devices, plus you really need to have enough to handle the draw when a couple start at the same time. Don't forget you need to install a cutout system so you don't electrocute linesmen trying to get you your power back.They frown on that, although the ROI of a couple years in prison isn't too bad with those three hots and a cot
So what's the ROI on a whole house emergency power generator plus installation plus fuel plus maintenance?