I've attempted to find the answer to this question by searching the forums, but I've not found the exact answer to my question. It wouldn't surprise me, though, for one of you Sherlocks to post the hyperlink of a thread that answers this question precisely. However, I'll take my chances.
I've found a house or two that suits our family's needs and budget, although I'm not opposed to renting an apartment in the pol?gono central. The yard and outdoor space, as well as the vecindario, is really appealing to my family. My real estate agent is working on finding out more details about the property, but lets assume that we choose this home and that it does not have a planta full.
I've been researching the Generac 16kw models (Residential Standby Generators | Generators | Northern Tool + Equipment). These are powered by LP or natural gas. Our power needs, should there be a power outage (which we all know would never occur in Santo Domingo :cough cough would be to be able to run a couple of the wall split A/C units, lights, refrigerator, washer, TV, electronics. . .the usual. I'm no electrician, but I've run some calculations and it looks like 16kw should be fine. I also realize that I'd more than likely have to buy an LP tank for the unit.
So, I feel that this would be a good discussion to have on a number of fronts: 1) Is my estimated power usage correct? 2) Does LP sound possible as a fuel source? 3) I'll have the correct switching for the unit, but are there good, reputable installers, and what do they charge? 4) Should I import the unit? It runs about $3400 in the US, but a good Dominican friend of mine said to add 36% to that price and to consider price of shipping (it looks like the unit at PriceSmart is around $5800. 5) Should I be thinking of getting a portable unit? Generac has portable units that can be wired to the home on a switch, and the end user manually switches the switch and unit on (not very practical for middle-of-the-night power outages, but still a candidate in the discussion).
I know these questions, pros, and cons are very specific, but I feel that this discussion would not only benefit me, but other expats who may be or may have to be entertaining the same options/situations as I. Thank you very much in advance.
I've found a house or two that suits our family's needs and budget, although I'm not opposed to renting an apartment in the pol?gono central. The yard and outdoor space, as well as the vecindario, is really appealing to my family. My real estate agent is working on finding out more details about the property, but lets assume that we choose this home and that it does not have a planta full.
I've been researching the Generac 16kw models (Residential Standby Generators | Generators | Northern Tool + Equipment). These are powered by LP or natural gas. Our power needs, should there be a power outage (which we all know would never occur in Santo Domingo :cough cough would be to be able to run a couple of the wall split A/C units, lights, refrigerator, washer, TV, electronics. . .the usual. I'm no electrician, but I've run some calculations and it looks like 16kw should be fine. I also realize that I'd more than likely have to buy an LP tank for the unit.
So, I feel that this would be a good discussion to have on a number of fronts: 1) Is my estimated power usage correct? 2) Does LP sound possible as a fuel source? 3) I'll have the correct switching for the unit, but are there good, reputable installers, and what do they charge? 4) Should I import the unit? It runs about $3400 in the US, but a good Dominican friend of mine said to add 36% to that price and to consider price of shipping (it looks like the unit at PriceSmart is around $5800. 5) Should I be thinking of getting a portable unit? Generac has portable units that can be wired to the home on a switch, and the end user manually switches the switch and unit on (not very practical for middle-of-the-night power outages, but still a candidate in the discussion).
I know these questions, pros, and cons are very specific, but I feel that this discussion would not only benefit me, but other expats who may be or may have to be entertaining the same options/situations as I. Thank you very much in advance.