GRU partners with GenerLink to offer connections for portable generators
Press release from Gainesville Regional Utilities
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Beginning Aug. 13, GRU will offer GenerLink devices for a one-time fee. These devices are priced near cost and installed by GRU crews, so you won’t need to hire an electrician. GenerLink is a safe, utility-approved device that connects a portable generator directly to your home’s electrical panel. Depending on your generator’s capacity, you can power essential appliances or your entire electrical panel.
Generlink benefits:
- Priced near cost
- Installed by GRU
- Quick installation with no permitting fees
- No home rewiring
- Full panel access so customers can choose which appliances to power during an outage
- Safe, utility-approved design that prevents back-feeding to protect utility workers
- Built-in surge protection and indicator lights to show when utility power is restored
- Free 20-foot GenerLink power cord
- Manufacturer’s warranty maintained through GenerLink
Before installation, GRU will:
- Confirm your home is compatible
- Inspect your electric meter
- Ensure your generator meets requirements (10,000 watts or less, no built-in GFCI panel)
Cost: $1,034.25 (includes installation and power cord).
This program is part of GRU’s ongoing commitment to help our community stay safe and comfortable during outages while crews work to restore service.
Watch this video to learn more or call 352-393-1505 to schedule your installation.
It’s better to get a stand alone propane powered generator like Generac. Yes, the cost is more but you can run your whole house. My tank holds enough to run 3 weeks straight before I need to worry about my back up generator running.
Yes, with a large tank. However, one of my electricians had a gasoline generator under the theory that after a bad storm, he would be at the mercy of the propane company for refills while with gas he could actively hunt his own gas refills.
PS This appears to be for the switch, cord and installation, and does include not a generator. For those handy, Square D and other electric panel manfacturers have an inexpensive kit that allows you to safely switch between the generator and utility power (about $100), so, as in the GRU video, you can control what circuits your feeding from the generator at your panel. You will also have to have or add a double pole breaker for the generator, run a line from that breaker to an exterior mounted plug (not included) for the generator, not necessarily easy and may require wall patching, and buy the cord connecting to the generator. Some knowledge of electrical systems and devices is necessary, but the careful home owner can obtain that before doing it. The GRU system offer bypasses all that by switching at the meter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=gorjxkgInng
I have never had a issue of running out of propane. You top off before storm. Usually NOAA gives at least a week to ten days notice of approaching hurricanes. My system switch box senses when power goes out and when it comes back on. Do your maintenance quarterly and no problems. Gasoline generators are fine as back up but then people are hoarding 50 gallons of gas for a six hour run/and then refilling. All I’m saying is people need to think about the best approach. Power companies will not respond to outages until the storm passes. Some people need the generator for health reasons too.
We don’t disagree Bear. As you said “…people need to think about the best approach. ” and that can vary with their situation and what they can afford.
Being in the GRU territory, chances are you have the natural gas option as well. No need to worry about LP tank levels.