FAST ELECTRIC SPOKANE · GUIDE
Getting a home generator ready for Spokane winter storms
Spokane winters can knock the power out for days. Here is how to keep heat, water and the fridge running safely - and the one shortcut you should never take.
Why Spokane homeowners plan for outages
The November 2015 windstorm left about 180,000 Avista customers without power at its peak, and some homes waited more than a week to be reconnected. Ice and snow storms bring shorter outages most winters. Rural and wooded areas - Deer Park, Nine Mile Falls, Mead and the edges of the county - usually wait longest, because each damaged line serves fewer homes.
Portable or standby?
- Portable generator. Lower cost. You wheel it out, start it and plug in. Connected through a transfer switch or interlock, it can run your furnace blower, well pump, fridge and a few lights.
- Standby generator. Permanently installed outside, usually on natural gas or propane, and starts by itself when the power drops. Higher cost, but nothing to do in the middle of a storm.
For most homes the real question is which circuits matter. A furnace fan, a well pump, the fridge and a few outlets need far less than the whole house.
The safe way to connect it
A generator has to be connected through a transfer switch or a panel interlock. Either one makes it physically impossible for your generator to feed power back onto the utility lines.
Never back-feed through a dryer or outlet with a double-ended "suicide cord". It can energize the lines outside and injure utility crews working to restore power, and it can overload your own wiring.
Connecting a generator to home wiring is permit work in Washington, through the City of Spokane or L&I depending on your address. See how electrical permits work in Spokane.
Carbon monoxide: the biggest danger
Generator exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which you cannot see or smell. Run a portable generator outside, well away from the house - the CDC advises at least 20 feet - with the exhaust pointed away from windows, doors and vents. Never run one in a garage, even with the door open. Working CO alarms on every level of the home are a must.
Get ready before the first storm
- List the circuits you need: heat, well pump, fridge and freezer, a few lights and outlets.
- Have a transfer switch or interlock installed and inspected before winter, not during an outage.
- Store fuel safely and start the generator once a month so it is ready.
- Test your CO and smoke alarms.
- Keep your utility's outage line handy: Avista, Inland Power & Light or, in Cheney, Cheney Light Department.
Planning a generator hookup? See generator installation and whole-home surge protection, or call (509) 239-5654.
Common questions
Can I plug a generator into a dryer outlet to power the house?
No. Back-feeding through an outlet with a "suicide cord" can energize the utility lines and injure line workers, and it can start a fire in your home. Use a transfer switch or an approved interlock.
Do I need a permit to connect a generator to my house?
Yes. Connecting a generator to your home wiring through a transfer switch or interlock is permit work, through the City of Spokane or Washington L&I depending on your address.
How big a generator do I need?
It depends on what you want to run. Heat, a well pump, the fridge and a few circuits need far less than the whole house. List the essentials and an electrician can size it.
How far from the house should a portable generator be?
Well away from the house - the CDC advises at least 20 feet - with the exhaust pointed away from doors, windows and vents. Never run one in a garage, even with the door open.
LET'S TALK ELECTRICAL
Tell us what you need.
We'll talk through the next step.
Fast Electric Spokane · 12 N Grant St, Spokane, WA 99202 · Licensed, Insured & Bonded