Home Backup Generators & Soundproofing
Home Backup Generators & Soundproofing – The typical American household loses power once or twice a year for an average of about 3 hours, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. But some power outages, such as those caused by extreme weather, can last for days or even weeks.
When they do, homeowners can face a long list of inconveniences and expenses, including spoiled food, frozen pipes, flooded basements, and moldy walls.
Home Backup Generators & Soundproofing – No matter where you live, you face the possibility of losing power because of a powerful winter or summer storm.
These days, when so many aspects of our lives depend upon a constant supply of electricity — cooling and heating for homes, refrigeration for food, energy for well pumps and, perhaps most importantly for some people, charging for computers and smartphones — ensuring that electrical supply continues regardless of the weather is a priority.
Home Backup Generators & Soundproofing – provides you with peace of mind knowing the important outlets and appliances in your home will continue to work even in the worst weather.
It’s quite easy to find the wattage of most of your important appliances — look inside the door of the refrigerator or on the bottom of a lamp, for instance. Here’s a shorthand guide to give you some idea of what you’ll need:
How Much Power Do You Need From Your Stand By Backup Generator
Lights: 60 to 600 W depending upon how many you want to use.
Refrigerator: A must-have at 600 W.
Portable Heater: Handy during a snowstorm at 1500 W.
Sump Pump: You do not want your basement to flood, so figure 750 to 1,500 W.
Computers: Another critical must-have if you work at home, ranging from 200 to 600 W depending on if you have a laptop or desktop.
Selecting a Home Backup Generator
The Briggs & Stratton 40415 17kW Air-Cooled Standby Generator
Protect your home from power outages. Backed by one of the best commercial warranties in the industry, the three phase 17 kW is perfect for businesses with increasing electrical demands.
The Briggs & Stratton 17kw is an ideal generator for most single-family homes with 200-amp service and at least one central air conditioner.
The service disconnect automatic transfer switch features load shedding, allowing you to manage up to 8 loads and run them all when the generator has enough available power. This is due to the Symphony II Power Management System which offers greater motor-starting ability for large electrical loads. This will make your next hot summer power outage much more bearable. When the generator doesn’t have enough power, it will shut down the AC so it can keep other essential items in use.
The Briggs & Stratton 17kw comes with a five year full warranty and with a 993cc V-Twin OHV Commercial Grade Vanguard Engine, folks can rest easy knowing they’ll have years of reliable backup power.
Home Backup Generators & Soundproofing
Home Backup Generators & Soundproofing – Generators are engines – loud, rattling, mean machines designed to do one job really well. Adding a mass loaded vinyl material will do wonders to block the sound from your generator and keep your area quiet. Our Luxury Liner is only 1/8th in thick and comes in easy to manage sheets for you to cut to size. We recommend installing the material to the exterior walls of your generator box. Be sure to cover the walls edge-to-edge and adhere it firmly with a vinyl contact cement, nails, screws, or staples. Tape the edges with foil tape or use an acoustic caulk to ensure the seams are airtight.
How to Quiet a Home Backup Generator
Quick Tips to Make a Backup Hone Generator Quieter
Get the Right Size – The more powerful the generator, the more noise it makes. Assess your power needs and stick to a generator that gives you the right amount of power. This will reduce excess noise.
Point the Exhaust Away – Make sure the exhaust is pointed away from where you’re located, or even straight up. This will help the sound dissipate.
Keep Your Distance – Put the generator as far away from you as possible, ideally a minimum of 20 feet. Invest in extra-long, heavy duty extension cords.
Stick to Soft Ground – Hard surfaces like concrete or asphalt will strengthen the reverberation and increase the noise. Placing the generator in grass or dirt will keep the vibrations down. You can use a rubber mat if you’re unable to find soft ground.
Build an Enclosure – Or upgrade the one you have now. It’s possible to apply soundproofing materials that reduce the decibel level of a generator by as much as 20 decibels.
BlocknZorb EZ Drop Ceiling Tiles – Semi-rigid, porous expanded polypropylene tiles are the only ceiling tiles to both BLOCK and ABSORB noise, EZ Drop the BlocknZorbe acoustical ceiling lay in tile, Lightweight and non-fibrous (no fiberglass), Water resistant, impact resistant, and tack-able, Class A Fire Rated, Easy to install and easy to clean
Home Backup Generator Enclosures
ZombieBox Generator Soundproofing Enclosure
The unique universal design allows anyone with equipment the ability to reduce the noise intensity of portable generators and other machinery without inhibiting airflow or cooling requirements.
ZombieBox Generator Soundproofing Enclosure Features
Collapsible
Weatherproof
Can be assembled on location, without tools, in under 3 minutes
Reduces noise by up to 5X or 99%
Increases the life cycle and efficiency of your equipment
Built to withstand permanent outdoor storage and long-term use of your generator, sheltering it from rain, snow, people, or blowing dirt and debris
Improves overall comfort and safety
How to Quiet a Generator with a DIY Generator Enclosure
Although you can buy generator boxes but they are expensive and it’s a relative easy DIY project – if you have some basic tools and a day to spare.
All generator enclosures are built differently, and there are some really good DIY instructions on the internet and here are some things to consider before you get started >>
Soundproofing
Home Generators are engines and they are loud, rattling, machines designed to do one job really well. Adding a mass loaded vinyl material will significantly drop the decibel rating from your generator and keep your neighbors off your doorstep. Luxury Liner is only 1/8th in thick and comes in easy to manage sheets for you to cut to size. It’s recommend to install Luxury Liner to the exterior walls of your generator box. Be sure to cover the walls edge-to-edge and adhere it firmly with a vinyl contact cement, nails, screws, or staples. Tape the edges with foil tape or use an acoustic caulk to ensure the seams are airtight.
Exhaust & Ventilation
Backup Generators require ventilation. Not providing adequate ventilation is dangerous, may harm both your new generator box and your generator. You may be able to purchase an exhaust pipe specifically for your generator. If not, measure the size of your exhaust and use a material like copper piping that can endure the heat from the exhaust. Ensure that the pipe seals completely at the generator exhaust, as you don’t want fumes leaking and circulating in the box. Depending on the size and heat coming off your generator, you may want to consider cutting out additional ventilation windows.
Home Backup Generators – Exhaust & Ventilation
Home Backup Generators & Soundproofing – Not creating adequate ventilation for your generator is dangerous, and will ruin both your brand new generator box, and your generator.
If you want to have a smaller box, you’ll need to add an extended exhaust pipe that can run outside of your box. If it’s a bigger box with more airspace, you can get by without one. You may be able to purchase an exhaust pipe specifically for your generator. If not, measure the size of your exhaust and use a material like copper piping that can endure the heat from the exhaust.
Ensure that the pipe seals completely at the generator exhaust, as you don’t want fumes leaking and circulating in the box. Depending on the size and heat coming off your generator, you may want to consider cutting out additional ventilation windows.
Home Backup Generators – Cooling
Home Backup Generators & Soundproofing – Some people add a fan to their generator box to help with airflow and cooling their generator. Remember that the space inside your generator box is small, so a tiny box fan will go a long way.
Buy something cheap, sturdy, and ideally square. Cut a hole in your box to size and fit in your fan, use caulk to seal in the fan as well as fill in gaps.
Make sure the cord is pointed inward, which you can just plug directly into the generator when in use.
Sample Building Permit Guidelines for Home Backup Generators & Soundproofing
These sections establish that electrical and mechanical equipment (i.e., air conditioners, condensing units, pumps, and compressors, etc.) should meet the maximum noise decibel (dBA) levels established by BMC Section 8.10 and the General Plan. Pursuant to Figure N-2 in the General Plan, for residential zoning districts the maximum noise levels measured at property lines applicable to the operation of electrical and mechanical is 55 dBA at the property line.
Electrical and mechanical equipment may be located in the side yard setback provided that:
They do not exceed four feet above grade at their highest point, and
They are not closer than five feet from the property line in the R-15 zone and not closer than three feet from the nearest property line in all other residential zones, and
Emergency generators are permitted in front yard setbacks under parking decks and driveways provided that:
The average lot slope within the first forty feet of the front property line (across the entire width of the lot) exceeds thirty percent.
They are natural gas powered.
Many electrical and mechanical equipment do exceed these noise levels; however, manufacturers may provide sound attenuation options that can bring down the dBA in compliance with maximum noise levels.
