Are backup generators allowed?
 

Hi, we just returned from a Lifestyle Preview visit and fell in love with the Villages. We have selected our home model but we are wondering if anyone knows if we can put in a back up generator for power failures?

I'm sure you can. I got rid of mine when I moved here 3 years ago from S. Florida. I had a portable one and I think you are probably speaking about an installed one. In my opinion you'd just be wasting your money. We have underground electric here and any power outages only last a few minutes and are rare.

Been here almost 4 years and have never been without power.

Longest power failure in over 3 years here in The Villages was less than 30 minutes. One time. No others.

Yes, you can put in a back-up generator, but the developer's builders will not build/include that as an original build/equipment option. There are many things you might think of that are 'good ideas' that are permitted, but that the builders won't do. But, the things that might be included on this list change over time.

As an example, when we were designing our new home, we asked about having a humidistat installed as part of the original HVAC design/build. We were told it could be done after the fact but that they were not permitted to even offer it as an option. Surprise...when our home was finished, a separate humidistat was installed and we were told that in the intervening three months that including a humidistat had become required by code. (Wow!!) Also, we were told at the same time that within the year, all newly built homes at TV would have an integrated thermostat/humidistat rather than two separate control systems as were installed in our home.

So, anything you'd like to have built into your new home, I recommend asking. If you really want it, ask several times. There were some items/changes we asked about three or four times that we were told could not be done and we gave up asking...and then later we were told "Oh, that (option you requested); they're going to do that."

Do lots of homework. You can't be too prepared if you're going to build new.

Been here 7 years and never had an outage.

A backup generator is a 'different type' of insurance policy. I've never experienced a house fire, but I still buy fire insurance. I don't have a backup generator installed - but when I move to TV full time we will probably have that done. I hope to never have to use it, but if 'the big one' happens, we'll be ready. If 'the big one' happens, it's too late to do anything about it. The fact that you've never seen a black swan should not be interpreted as evidence that black swans do not exist. (Read "The Black Swan" by Nassim Nicholas Taleb) I've seen enough black swans in my life to know that they do exist. Each of us needs to identify those black swans for which - if they ever fly into your yard - you'll be certain you want to be prepared. I prepare for some and not for others. Many people just assume they don't exist.

I was effected by the tornado in 2007. Wished we had a generator back then. That said, we didn't get one after that event, either.

No problem having one installed. A whole house generator came with our resale house. About the only use it gets is its weekly automatic 15 minute exercise run. In 4 years our neighborhood power has been out for less than an hour 3 or 4 times and once for 4 hours. Would I buy one on my own, probably not, but TV has not experience a big hurricane in many, many years. None of my meighbors have a large back-up system, so I assume we would have a lot of house guests if the "big one" hits TV. As long as they bring steaks and wine, it would be party time for all!

Just because you haven't had a major power outage since you've lived here, doesn't mean that one is impossible. With hackers trying to get into our electrical grid, who knows when or if they would be successful. Now, picture The villages without electricity for 4 or 5 days - it can happen. When the power does go down in other parts of the country, the unprepared panic and quickly wipe out all available generators. If you don't mind the idea of having your food spoil and living in the dark (and maybe cold) for several days, keep telling yourself you don't need a generator backup.

What is "the big one"?

Gracie, I assume the "big one" is an all out hurricane that devastates the local infrastructure, at least it won't be a blizzard /ice storm.

One other thing to consider about whole house generators in TV. Many areas do not have natural gas service and so you would need an underground gasoline tank (probably prohibited and how do you keep all that gas fresh) or a propane tank. Then how big a tank and where do you get refills during a disaster? Hopefully the natural gas supply continues during a disaster, but who really knows. Never been there to try it.

last summer I can remember saying that we had not had a power outage since living in TV....then 9 years.....the very next day our power went out for a couple of hours!!!!

Yes back up generators are allowed. There are the portable and the fixed installation (which is no more unsightly than pool and spa and waterfall equipment).

The fixed installation is more expensive, but can have significantly more power...as in whole house....and works automatically...the power blinks off then on comes the generator and a blink later back in business.

The portables are usually smaller in capacity and target specic circuits. Even if one does not own a generator, when building new, have a circuit put in place for a generator. Ya never know.

Regarding the "big one" getting ready requires more than being able to light the lights and watch television.....remember the better prepared you are the more you will find how many friends you never knew you had :)

btk

Insurance and Odds
 

IMO, it comes down to your own "comfort" level as to whether or not to pay for the "insurance policy" of having a backup generator. What is your goal for the generator? Are you protecting your home (such as in the north where you might want a generator so that you don't lose power/heat and have your water pipes burst)? Since the weather in the Villages does not get that cold for an extended period of time, no worries there. Do you have valuables in your home (paintings for example) that you would be protecting from heat/humidity if you lost your A/C? Are they easily transportable? Or is it that you would not have to worry about having lights, being able to turn your TV on (assuming that your service provider is still operating), throwing out spoiled food from your refrigerator, etc.?

I would submit that you could move to a hotel (yes it might not be in the immediate area), have some nice meals and, yes need to restock the refrigerator-but you could do it multiple times before you would recoup your return on the cost of purchasing and installing the generator. What are the "odds" that a significant power loss will occur that would trigger the need for the generator or to move to other accommodations until power is restored? Anecdotal evidence presented by previous posters indicates that power losses are very uncommon and not long lasting.

I'll defer on discussions of the "big one" scenario as I would presume we might have a lot more to consider than just power. Some people who lived through the tornado that went through our Village couldn't live in their homes due to the damage-if they had a generator, it wasn't doing them any good.

So if you have the money, and would sleep better at night by knowing that you have an "insurance policy" in your back pocket, "git er done". I think that I will use the money for wine, women, and song. Uh, check that, my lovely wife wouldn't like the women part of that........:duck: :)

:posting:

Atlanta is as far north as I have ever lived. Have never had a generator or known anyone who did. (Except for during the millennium scare. Thankfully We have never needed it.