Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need home standby power?
You can answer this question yourself: What could happen to your home with the power out? Flooded basement, frozen pipes, spoiled food, security system not functioning, garage door inoperable, just to name a few of the ways you could suffer costly damage or risk of harm to your family.
The average American home may use more than a hundred electrical appliances and devices to provide convenience, comfort and security. Household items we take for granted, such as air conditioners, computers, furnaces, water heaters, lights, pumps refrigerators, and stoves require electricity. Even short interruptions of electrical power can cause inconvenience, major distress, and even safety risks.
Owning a Cummins Onan Residential standby power system allows you to relax. Supplying critical electricity whether you are at home or away, Cummins Onan Residential standby system protects your property, health and comfort.
What does a home standby generator power system do?
When the utility power to your home fails - - due to a storm, accident, or brown-out conditions, the generator set automatically starts and, within seconds, produces electricity. The transfer of power is seamless and automatic and allows you to continue your daily routine without interruption.
A residential standby system is installed outside and is no more conspicuous than a central air conditioning unit. A Cummins Onan Residential standby system connects directly to a permanent fuel supply of natural gas or LP to provide protection against power outages 24 hour-a-day, 365 days a year.
Why is a portable generator less expensive than a home standby system?
A Cummins Onan Residential home standby generator set includes many features not found on a portable generator set, such as a more sophisticated control system, a fully weather protective enclosure, significantly quieter operation, and more power, so you don't have to "get by" with just a few conveniences.
With a Cummins Onan Residential standby system connected directly to a fuel system and your home's electrical system, you never have to fill the gas tank or manually transfer power from the utility to the home standby unit.
How does the home standby system work?
The system works in 5 basic steps:
1. The Cummins Onan Automatic Transfer Panel monitors the voltage coming from the utility.
2. The transfer panel senses when the utility power drops below an acceptable level, and sends a signal to start the generator set.
3. The transfer panel automatically disconnects the utility power from the electrical circuits in your home, and reconnects them to the Cummins Onan Residential standby unit.
4. The Residential standby unit continues to supply electrical power to your home until utility power is restored.
5. The transfer panel senses when the utility power is restored, automatically disconnects the Residential standby generator set from your home circuits, and reconnects the utility power.
6. The Residential standby system automatically re-sets itself and is ready for the next power outage.
I have a generator, should my utility company be notified?
Yes. Utilities often retain this type of information and make it accessible to the line workers in the event of a power outage. Such restoration could be postponed while line workers examine to see if a generator is being properly used. Providing accurate up-to-date information to your local utility can reduce these types of delays.
Do I need a certain size system?
With Cummins Onan Residential standby power systems, there are a variety of output sizes from 12 kW and higher. The best match will depend on the power (wattage) requirements of your home. Some appliances with electric motors (refrigeration, air conditioners), require up to 2 to 3 times the listed wattage. The generator should be 20% larger than calculated requirements. Also, additional capacity allows more circuits to be added for future use.
See our Wattage Calculator to estimate your wattage requirements.
What type of fuel is best?
This depends on many factors - shelf life, cost, storage location, availability, etc.
LP (PROPANE):
Advantages
- Long shelf life
- Clean burning
- Easily stored in both large tanks or in smaller 5-10 gallon cylinders
- Obtainable during power outages - gas stations may be unable to pump other fuels during an area wide outage but, LP tanks are usually stocked full
- Home delivery available for larger tanks is commonplace
Disadvantages
- Pressurized cylinder of flammable gas
- Fuel system is more complicated (increased possibility of failure)
- Larger tanks are not aesthetically pleasing (unsightly)
- Fuel systems plumbing results in higher installation cost
- Some local ordinances prohibit the use of high pressure LP in residential applications
NATURAL GAS:
Advantages
- Usually unlimited fuel source - refueling not necessary
- Clean burning
- Almost always available during power outages
- No unsightly tank required
Disadvantages
- May be unavailable during natural disasters (earthquakes, etc.)
- Lower power output (30% less BTU's per unit than gasoline)
- Larger tanks are not aesthetically pleasing (unsightly)
- Fuel system plumbing results in higher installation cost
- Not available in many areas
DIESEL:
Advantages
- Least flammable fuel source
- Clean burning
- Easily obtained
- On site fuel delivery available
- High BTU output fuel
Disadvantages
- 18-24 month shelf life
- Lower power output (30% less Btu per unit than gasoline)
- Installing large storage tanks raises cost of system
- May not be available during power outages
- Unpleasant smell
Can I install my own home standby system?
The homeowner should not attempt to specify and install a power system on their own. In all cases, they should contract a Cummins Onan Dealer and/or certified technicians.
How do I find a Cummins Onan dealer who is qualified to specify and install a home standby system?
Our sales and service locator will direct you to your nearest qualified Cummins Onan dealer.
