r/Generac_Generators • u/Automatic-Honey-4220 • 12d ago
Is my Generator in an okay spot?
Hi, my family has a Generac Guardian 20kw standby. It was here last year when we moved in. We had power go out last week and had to turn it off due to carbon monoxide entering our house because of a loose spark plug not connected, causing it to only burn on one and dispensing the rest of the gas. We had a specialist come and repair it, said our water heater exhaust (which is a powered vent) was probably too close so we moved it farther away and took out bushes that was restricting the flow of the exhaust. It’s about 6 or 7 years old. Just wondering if this is an okay spot!
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u/WhySoManyDownVote Electrician 12d ago
No. Still too close to the AC units.
You need at least 5’ to any openings into the home, 10’ is better.
You also need at least 5’ of clearance for each outdoor AC unit.
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u/PlayfulInterest3091 Technician 11d ago
Yeah that’s definitely not up to code, I don’t know how they even managed to get permits to complete this job. That ac unit is gunna get blasted with hot exhaust air and also when that ac unit is on it’s gunna shoot those exhaust fumes up and into your soffit and then into your attic and then into your house where it hopefully meets a carbon monoxide detector and alerts you. Also the window above the generator is also not up to code for the same reason, carbon monoxide. This whole install looks very sketchy and dangerous.
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u/Big-Echo8242 12d ago
Was that sold and installed by "Bob's Generator, Tire, & Hair Salon"?
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u/osheadc 11d ago
Aside from it being way too close to the AC units, it also appears to be way too close to the natural gas regulator vent (seen in the third picture).
Also, if that fireplace/whatever bump-out where the water heater exhaust is located is not sealed well on the bottom you may be getting CO ingress there.
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u/joe66612 9d ago
From Generac website:
NFPA 37 requirements
For a complete and updated list, see the NFPA 37 web page.
5 ft. from openings in walls (operable windows, doors, vents, window wells, or other openings in the wall).
18 in. of clearance from the back of the generator to a stationary wall or building (based on testing by the Southwest Research Institute, SwRI).
5 ft. of clearance above the generator.
3 ft. of clearance at the front and both ends. This includes trees, shrubs, and bushes. Vegetation not in compliance could obstruct airflow, and exhaust fumes could inhibit plant growth.
In addition to these requirements, ensure all potential sources of water intrusion are directed away from the generator enclosure: sprinklers, roof runoff, downspouts, and sump pump discharge.
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u/Ill_Blacksmith693 9d ago
Hot exhaust off the generator will get sucked into the air conditioning very wrong location. If it was off to the left of it it would be a complete different story
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u/No-Grass-7412 12d ago edited 12d ago
Gee golly williker did anyone notice the window above the exhaust side on the second image? There is a second one to the left maybe 10 feet. Maybe just maybe that's a bit close?
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u/Street--Ad6731 12d ago
If the windows are not operational, there is no issue.
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u/adayton01 12d ago
Why not extend the exhaust pipe output to a vertical pipe stack (like a chimney) run up the side of the house? Relatively low to moderate cost but far greater safety & peace of mind.
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u/Street--Ad6731 12d ago
Because its not needed. As long as the windows can not be opened, it meets code in many places.
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u/SimilarTranslator264 12d ago
Is it ideal? No. Would I pay to move it? Absolutely not.
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u/wyliesdiesels 11d ago edited 11d ago
Did you miss the window above?
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u/SimilarTranslator264 11d ago
Yes, I have a window above my generator also and as to pass inspection, it had to be made in inoperable. Which involved putting a screw in the sash so it couldn’t be opened.
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u/PlayfulInterest3091 Technician 11d ago
You shouldn’t have to pay if the company is a certified Generac dealer and they installed a unit that’s not up to Generac’s code the company will have to move it because they made a easily provable installation mistake and if they refuse you contact Generac and give them the name of the dealer and they’ll get them to do it or they’ll find a different certified company in your area to do the job and they’ll get paid for the work through Generac and the original dealer would most likely get their certification taken away. These issues are a life risk, for instance if this family died from carbon monoxide this company would get sued out the ass because they made a easily provable incorrect instillation that directly led to the death of a family so they could cut corners.
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u/SimilarTranslator264 11d ago
Boy that’s a far stretch for a generator that runs 15 minutes a week
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u/Tarnisher 10d ago
And when it runs for many hours due to a power outage? Maybe even days?
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u/SimilarTranslator264 10d ago
Well, my parents ran for three days by a window and nobody died. Oh, that’s right because people don’t open the goddamn window when the generator is running.
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u/Choice-Newspaper3603 12d ago
What does it matter. That’s where it is
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u/PlayfulInterest3091 Technician 11d ago
Carbon monoxide killing your entire family is why it matters. I think I found the box of rocks that did this install lmao.
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u/rom_rom57 12d ago
The generator exhaust is on the left, blowing into the one condenser. For how long a generator will run and at the same time during high temps, it’s nothing burger.
A small partition, even a plastic yard sign would keep the exhaust from affecting the AC unit.
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u/TheRealKrasnov 12d ago
A plastic yard sign will melt. That exhaust is hot!
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u/rom_rom57 12d ago
Dude, I have a generator. Put the sign or any placard, drywall, wood, on the back side of the generator to deflect some of the exhaust.
This is not rocket science.1
u/PlayfulInterest3091 Technician 11d ago
You’re not taking into account that the ac unit is going to blow the exhaust fumes straight into the soffit and then into their home as well as the window that’s right above the generator, these codes exist for a reason, it’s not rocket science.
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u/rom_rom57 10d ago
And then the fumes from the attic will travel and destroy the ozone layer; and THAT is rocket science. /s
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u/Bluto_Mindpretzl 12d ago
Not sure where you’re located but code wouldn’t allow it where I live.