On Mon, 4 Oct 2010 17:48:39 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:

Many important points. These are small attached houses so the
neighbors are close. Not one of them would steal it and getting it
out
of the backyard would be non-trivial anyway. No one else has a
generator. Still, I wouldn't want a very noisy one. But if it's
summer, I don't really need it as much. Winter the windows will all
be
closed, which is when I would need it more.

1. You'd be surprised at the people who drive around listening for
generators - their need is more urgent than yours.

CY: And he may well be surprised how miserable his neighbors can be,
in times of crisis.

2. The only purpose a "quite" generator serves is to make it easier
for you
to hear your neighbor's generators.

CY: And also to be less likely to be stolen.


We've had a blackout three times this year, only one lasted even two
days but that got annoying enough for me to think about this.

If you've got the extra money, go for it.

CY: Always decisions to make.

I do have natural gas but wouldn't want to think about running a
line
outside.

Why not? Natural gas STARTS from the outside (generally). It's just as
easy
to tap into a NG line as it is a water line; easier, in fact, because
you
can do so by simply drilling a hole in the NG pipe.

CY: Many places have external meters, and that may be a good place to
tap off a NG line. The Home Depot near me has stationary NG
generators. Those look convenient, if money will permit. As for me, no
money to be had. So, a small gasoline generator will have to serve.

Propane seems much easier to deal with given the lack of real
need. Two spare tanks should cover any short term need.

Propane CAN'T be easier since it involves a trip somewhere to get the
tanks
filled. NG comes right to your house.

CY: In most parts of the world, the NG is totally dependable. Propane
can be used for cabins, and remote properties with no NG available.



I will look into running natural gas, but the main comes in the front
of the house so it would involve taping it near the rear, where the
furnace and hot water heater are. But the only way to run it out of
the house right now would be the dryer vent, and running a gas line
next to hot exhaust seems like a bad idea.

I liked the idea of propane because I already have propane tanks but
maybe a larger tank would be ok?