Cool, just must have read into the comment. I would hate for someone to forget and not get the CO out properly.

Thanks for letting me know.

Ok, maybe room was the wrong term. I have an "out building" specifically designed for a generator... I had one there when I bought my house then some jerk stole it!! This was literally the day after I got my keys.

So, anyway, right now I just have some stuff stored in there, and my well pressure tank. It has mounts, and wiring for running the generator though when I can afford my next one I`ll insulate it, and make it a lil more sound-proof too

It sounds like you have done work `around the house` so I would trust you know that drywall is non-flammable (yet the paper backing is) like the vapor barrier of the insulation, and the wood they cover/surround. Also, I would never insulate something and not put drywall on it... kind of pointless to have 'pockets of warm air' or use them to reduce sound if it's not backed by the thick drywall to aid in sound deadening, fire proof, and insulating.

IzzyJG99- I'm pretty sure you are here to help but sometimes your posts come across as if think you know it all and like to presume we are morons and can't think for ourselves.

Personally making a generator box out of plywood even with a barrier of 1" on it seems like a TERRIBLE idea, probably why the factory and after market industry doesn't make generator boxes out of wood... they use steel or aluminum I am also concerned for your safety with a wood box housing a gasoline engine.

Def. no hard feelings Everyone needs a shake up now and then, myself included.

> I'm just wondering if it's wise to depend on an emergency fuel source
> that you have no control over.

Shrug - tell me what emergency fuel source you have control over?

If the power is out, can you get gas from the gas station? I think their pumps are electric, the credit card machine is electric, the cash register is electric.

Think of Katrina -- what fuel source was anyone in control over in New Orleans?

I lived on farms for years that had propane or butane for our fuel. This was in Texas, and we never had any storm or other event that kept deliveries from being made - no blizzards, hurricanes, or earthquakes. The guys came out in a truck and refilled our propane tank or butane tank.

My reason for suggesting that article is that a tank of propane won't go bad as fast as a tank of gasoline that sits out there for a year or two when I forget to siphon it out and use it in my car and refill the tank with fresh gasoline.

I'd think having your 'emergency fuel source' on hand where you live would be an important consideration, e.g.: a wood-burning stove or fireplace and a few cords of firewood, a propane heater and a large propane tank or two, a kerosene heater and a barrel of kerosene, etc. I think electricity is a poor choice to rely on in an emergency since it is so easily disrupted.
That being said, a lot of people simply don't have a choice in the matter. Apartment dwellers or someone who's home is powered exclusively by electricity are two such examples. People who live in apartments are bound by their lease and the law as to what is allowed in their apartment, such as space heaters, and the space to store fuel to power such devices. Also, since electricity is so easy to lose, quite a few people (who's home is mostly electrical) are going the generator route. My city allows a maximum of two 5-gallon containers of gas to be stored. That isn't going to last very long in a generator. So, your choices are obey the law and go dark in 3-4 days or ignore the law and store a larger amount of fuel, something incredibly dangerous, at least in the case of gasoline, and something many people will still do!
I can pretty much guarantee that if, for whatever reason, your local firefighters have to show up at your house and find two or three 55-gallon drums of gasoline in an attached garage, they're not going to be happy, nor will your insurance agent.

My local propane company said they wouldn't up my size to 500g unless I re-filled my 250g at least 2x a year. Having propane for only cooking and hot water I will not even refill it once in a year. (I pay <$60/yr for the lease).

The other option in the future is to buy a 500g tank for a few hundred. Or maybe a 1000g tank if I can get a deal.

If you buy a tank, get a copy of the test documents, or no deal. The fuel supplier may want it if they didn't provide (sell) you the tank. You may find they will at least negotiate a reduced price on the tank if you buy it from them. I am surprised you use so little. Most of my homeowners that are on propane use MUCH more.

Do they heat with propane?
Have families?

2 of us, instant hot water (on demand, much less usage than a standard tank) and a gas cook-top. That's it.

I asked about purchasing a tank from my current company and they wanted $800 for the 250g tank.. I told them no thanks!

I may be able to convince them to get me a 2nd tank as I could use one for my 'in-laws quarters' we plan to make above the garage and one for the house. (This is all in the way future right now)


Thanks for the advice about the documents.

Yes they do heat, but only part of the house. There are only two of them, but they wouldn't pony up for the tankless water heaters.