Home Generator Placement - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

DKW II · 01-17-2022, 03:53 PM

I am having a whole home generator with a transfer switch installed soon and we are deciding on placement.

My electric meter and gas connection are on opposite sides of the house. For the guys with generators and the electric/gas connection on opposite sides of the house, where did you install yours? Close to the electric meter or close to the gas connection?

I appreciate the feedback.

deep n the heat · 01-17-2022, 03:57 PM

My utilities were close together. I would install it close to the electric service. It is probably cheaper and easier to run 1 gas line as opposed to all of the wires needed.

Pstraw · 01-17-2022, 03:58 PM

Personally, I would have mine closer to the breaker box. I have electric feed and propane on the same side of my house though.

kry226 · 01-17-2022, 04:03 PM

Agreed. Distance doesn't affect gas as it affects electricity. I'm sure it's cheaper to run the gas line.

Maddox · 01-17-2022, 04:04 PM

I believe it’s cheaper to run electric lines than it is to run a gas line.

We looked into doing this and had the same issue.

Johnny Dangerr · 01-17-2022, 04:09 PM

I had mine mounted where the exhaust pipe is pointed at my one crappy neighbor's house...

Mauler · 01-17-2022, 04:10 PM

You can actually get a second gas line and run it right up to generator

You can run a branch and do elevated pressure from the existing line. But it will be super expensive and depending on length you may need to upsize line etc

DKW II · 01-17-2022, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deep n the heat

My utilities were close together. I would install it close to the electric service. It is probably cheaper and easier to run 1 gas line as opposed to all of the wires needed.

This is in-line with what I am being told, just wanted to get a few different opinion from guys in the same situation. I appreciate it.

Slinger · 01-17-2022, 04:46 PM

Whoever gives you a quote on the generator install should be able to quote you the added expense on wire footage should you choose to look at moving it closer to the gas meter. The power and control wires are actually all in one cable. Then get the plumber to quote you. Our plumber has a set price within 10 ft of the generator then it climbs from there. Several times we have found it cheaper to move the generator closer to the gas meter. You still have your transfer switch close to your electric meter.

Drycreek3189 · 01-17-2022, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deep n the heat

My utilities were close together. I would install it close to the electric service. It is probably cheaper and easier to run 1 gas line as opposed to all of the wires needed.

This. Mine sits just outside the garage opposite the breaker panel inside. I live in the country so I have to use propane. I had to run the gas line 75 feet or so, but that doesn’t compare cost wise to the electrical line you’d have to run.

Slinger · 01-17-2022, 05:15 PM

Just something that might help you decide. Generac’s wire is around 4.50 a foot.

tps7742 · 01-17-2022, 05:24 PM

Mine was a new build so I have the generator next to my electrical panel and C3 meter. I live rural so I ran my C3 line about 100 feet due to my choice of my tank placement.

DKW II · 01-17-2022, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drycreek3189

This. Mine sits just outside the garage opposite the breaker panel inside. I live in the country so I have to use propane. I had to run the gas line 75 feet or so, but that doesn’t compare cost wise to the electrical line you’d have to run.

Good to know. This sounds like the set up we are leaning towards and similar to my layout. It would be about 75 feet of gas line, if not a little more.

Arrowsmith · 01-18-2022, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKW II

Good to know. This sounds like the set up we are leaning towards and similar to my layout. It would be about 75 feet of gas line, if not a little more.

I did the same thing. I extended our propane line about 70' to power our backup generator. I rented a trencher for that and some other trenching that I needed done. Our propane guy installed the line, low pressure regulator and leaked tested the new installation. I backfilled the trench. The line extension cost about $350. I saved some money doing the trenching myself.

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TxBowHntr · 01-18-2022, 11:27 AM

We are in the same situation and ended up putting it about halfway between the 2. They did say anymore than 50-60 feet away from the gas meter would require an upgraded meter with higher output. Luckily for us we did not have that issue

DedDuk · 01-18-2022, 11:59 AM

Check gas requirements for generator. You man need a whole different regulator.

jds247 · 01-18-2022, 01:02 PM

We put ours close to the breaker panel and ran the gas to it.. The gas line was cheaper than the wire and there are load requirements for the electric side. Our gas meter is huge because everything in my house is gas. It was new construction so the gas company didn't charge me for the up grade .I did pay an extra 900 for the plumber to run the gas line 100 ft to the generator.

tigerscowboy · 01-18-2022, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKW II

I am having a whole home generator with a transfer switch installed soon and we are deciding on placement.

My electric meter and gas connection are on opposite sides of the house. For the guys with generators and the electric/gas connection on opposite sides of the house, where did you install yours? Close to the electric meter or close to the gas connection?

I appreciate the feedback.

Either. Just away from bedroom walls.

Mudslinger · 01-18-2022, 05:06 PM

I put the generator panel and switch right outside my utility room where our main panel is and put the generator in the garage along with a 100 gallon propane tank. I am going to put in a little doggie door in the door between the garage (detached garage) and the house to run the generator wire from the generator to the transfer switch. I can vent the garage with the door and a window. This should work and will keep me from having to move the generator and keep it out of the weather.

bwssr · 01-18-2022, 08:14 PM

My whole house is about 6 feet from the switch and power pole...tank about 10ft.

bboswell · 01-18-2022, 09:07 PM

Put it on the side of the house farthest from the rooms occupied most or at least far from the bedroom.

I put ours in the edge of the woods about 40 yards from the house. This put it on end of house that has entered and opposite end of house from electric meter. Neither was an issue, just had to upsize the wire.

Cost a little extra for both wire and copper tubing but it was worth it because I didn’t want to look at nor mow around the generator and propane tank right next to the house.

01-17-2022, 03:53 PM	#1
DKW II Six Point Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Needville, Texas Hunt In: South Texas	Home Generator Placement I am having a whole home generator with a transfer switch installed soon and we are deciding on placement. My electric meter and gas connection are on opposite sides of the house. For the guys with generators and the electric/gas connection on opposite sides of the house, where did you install yours? Close to the electric meter or close to the gas connection? I appreciate the feedback.

01-17-2022, 05:24 PM	#12
tps7742 Ten Point Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Texas Hunt In: East tx	Mine was a new build so I have the generator next to my electrical panel and C3 meter. I live rural so I ran my C3 line about 100 feet due to my choice of my tank placement. Last edited by tps7742; 01-17-2022 at 05:35 PM.

01-18-2022, 09:07 PM	#21
bboswell Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery County Hunt In: Where ever I can	Home Generator Placement Put it on the side of the house farthest from the rooms occupied most or at least far from the bedroom. I put ours in the edge of the woods about 40 yards from the house. This put it on end of house that has entered and opposite end of house from electric meter. Neither was an issue, just had to upsize the wire. Cost a little extra for both wire and copper tubing but it was worth it because I didn’t want to look at nor mow around the generator and propane tank right next to the house.

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01-17-2022, 03:57 PM	#2
deep n the heat Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Tomball	My utilities were close together. I would install it close to the electric service. It is probably cheaper and easier to run 1 gas line as opposed to all of the wires needed.

01-17-2022, 03:58 PM	#3
Pstraw Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Henderson Hunt In: Front yard or back yard	Personally, I would have mine closer to the breaker box. I have electric feed and propane on the same side of my house though.

01-17-2022, 04:03 PM	#4
kry226 Ten Point Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Korea Hunt In: Hall County	Agreed. Distance doesn't affect gas as it affects electricity. I'm sure it's cheaper to run the gas line.

01-17-2022, 04:04 PM	#5
Maddox Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The Woodlands	I believe it’s cheaper to run electric lines than it is to run a gas line. We looked into doing this and had the same issue.

01-17-2022, 04:09 PM	#6
Johnny Dangerr Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Houston Hunt In: FJB	I had mine mounted where the exhaust pipe is pointed at my one crappy neighbor's house...

01-17-2022, 04:10 PM	#7
Mauler Four Point Join Date: Mar 2018	You can actually get a second gas line and run it right up to generator You can run a branch and do elevated pressure from the existing line. But it will be super expensive and depending on length you may need to upsize line etc

01-17-2022, 04:46 PM	#9
Slinger Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mont Belvieu, TX Hunt In: Real County, TX	Whoever gives you a quote on the generator install should be able to quote you the added expense on wire footage should you choose to look at moving it closer to the gas meter. The power and control wires are actually all in one cable. Then get the plumber to quote you. Our plumber has a set price within 10 ft of the generator then it climbs from there. Several times we have found it cheaper to move the generator closer to the gas meter. You still have your transfer switch close to your electric meter.

01-17-2022, 05:15 PM	#11
Slinger Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mont Belvieu, TX Hunt In: Real County, TX	Just something that might help you decide. Generac’s wire is around 4.50 a foot.

01-18-2022, 11:27 AM	#15
TxBowHntr Eight Point Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Katy, Tx Hunt In: Lee, Bee, Nueces, Uvalde	We are in the same situation and ended up putting it about halfway between the 2. They did say anymore than 50-60 feet away from the gas meter would require an upgraded meter with higher output. Luckily for us we did not have that issue

01-18-2022, 11:59 AM	#16
DedDuk Eight Point Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Onalaska Hunt In: My Real Name	Check gas requirements for generator. You man need a whole different regulator.

01-18-2022, 01:02 PM	#17
jds247 Ten Point Join Date: May 2013 Location: Bridge city Texas Hunt In: Voca, Jasper county, newton county and sabine county	We put ours close to the breaker panel and ran the gas to it.. The gas line was cheaper than the wire and there are load requirements for the electric side. Our gas meter is huge because everything in my house is gas. It was new construction so the gas company didn't charge me for the up grade .I did pay an extra 900 for the plumber to run the gas line 100 ft to the generator.

01-18-2022, 05:06 PM	#19
Mudslinger Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Rogers TX Hunt In: Kent/Stonewall Counties, Limpopo South Africa	I put the generator panel and switch right outside my utility room where our main panel is and put the generator in the garage along with a 100 gallon propane tank. I am going to put in a little doggie door in the door between the garage (detached garage) and the house to run the generator wire from the generator to the transfer switch. I can vent the garage with the door and a window. This should work and will keep me from having to move the generator and keep it out of the weather.

01-18-2022, 08:14 PM	#20
bwssr Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Madisonville, Texas Hunt In: Madison county	My whole house is about 6 feet from the switch and power pole...tank about 10ft.