Keep Your Family Warm During An Emergency Power Outage With This $20 Fix

[@rupe53]

Just a couple of code pointers. That outlet needs to be 15, not 20 amp on a 15 amp circuit. That also needs to be a dedicated (single) outlet or you will need a GFCI. (concrete floor = damp location) That pigtail connections needs to be OUTSIDE the cabinet so you don't void the UL listing of the appliance. (temp rating of internal wire) Last but not least, the NEC will call for a service switch at the unit even though a cord / plug qualifies as a disconnect. This will be under the headings of permanently installed appliances. Probably best to swap out that 2x4 electrical box for a 4x4 and do it all in one place. Store the excess pigtail behind the BX cable in a loop.

[@montanadan2524]

You are 100% correct.

[@billy-go9kx]

Yes, HVAC techs are not electricians.

[@rupe53]

@@billy-go9kx which is why most HVAC guys don't have a full grip on the NEC, despite their license covering all the wiring near a unit. (but not into the breaker panel)

[@leeroth5604]

You could use something like a Leviton T5225-T Combination switch & 5-15 receptacle, which would fit in a single box.

[@rupe53]

@@leeroth5604 Yes, you could but for a DIY that work box is getting a little crowded with the extra wires and restraints. It has no room for side entry with that device in place and the screws will be hitting when trying to secure that device. 4x4 box with a mud ring is the way to go.

[@hwoodist]

Thanks for informing viewers about the Bonding Plug. I plan to do this for both my daughter's and my furnace.

[@RandyOnTheRadio]

I just did this to my furnace, which one of your past videos, gave me the idea. I bought an Anker back up supply for the job from Amazon. I wired mine a little different. I used a combo switch and outlet where the switch was. I made it so the switch controls the combo outlet, all in the same electrical box. Then, I ran my pigtail wire to the furnace. What I'm doing differently is, leaving the furnace plugged into the backup, all the time, and the back up is always plugged into the switched outlet. Been using this for weeks. For me, if the power goes out, and I'm away for some hours, it's all done automatically. I ran the furnace, solely on the backup after I did the install. It ran for 6 hours, perfectly, and I still had 75% of my battery left. The Anker model also has an app for my phone, so I can always check and see what's happening at home. Worked perfectly. Really happy I did this. Did not know about the bonding plug issue, but fortunately, mine works fine without it.

[@jmhescher]

Which Anker power station did you buy?

[@RandyOnTheRadio]

@@jmhescher I bought the Anker Solix C1000 (X). It works fantastic. I bought it from Amazon when they had their Prime Days thing going on. It was a little over 500 bucks, and when the power goes out, it will be worth every penny.

[@walterbowen2430]

Same question as jmhescher

[@RandyOnTheRadio]

@@jmhescher Anker Solix C1000 (X)

[@RandyOnTheRadio]

@@walterbowen2430 Anker Solix C1000 (X)

[@5.56Media]

I have a few Ecoflows, and after watching this video I picked up a couple of bonding plugs. Tested and works! Thanks!

[@喬老爷]

which molde ecoflows? I have a ecoflow delta 2 max but olny the fan on, the gas heat can't star

[@BigHarryBalzac]

I watched the video to see what you were doing. When you first started talking about installing an outlet where the switch was, I thought you were going to run a Suicide Cord to it from a generator. I'm glad to see I was wrong.

[@treborterb]

I was planning on using a gas powered generator to power the furnace in the event of a power outage...is this not ok? Can you explain what you mean by a suicide cord and why this should be avoided. Can I even run this furnace using a gas powered generator?

[@BigHarryBalzac]

@@treborterb A suicide cord has a male plug on both ends so you can plug it into an outlet on the generator and an outlet in the house to power everything. It's called a suicide cord because as soon as you plug it into the generator, it has full power running to the exposed prongs on the other end of the plug.

[@kennethwood2089]

SUPER vid! Especially that "bonding plug" tip with the power station use. I had been using a gas powered "bonded neutral" genny to run my nat gas fired furnace via an EZ Generator Transfer Switch; all was well, since the circuitry was "bonded" to the main electrical panel. BUT--when I bought an ECOFLOW poer unit/geneator--furnace would not kick on. I called "Kevin" at EX Generator Switch who referred me to their KZbin about this--just switched out two wires on their green EZ Generator Transfer Switch and it worked just fine! This what Dave, the DIY HVAC man here is showing us here--your portable power unit, be it ECOFLOW, Jackery, Bluetti, Flashfish...whatever--needs to have the neutral circuitry "matched" to run your furnace--be it a floating or bonded neutral. If you're unsure or don't want to handle the transfer switch route, just see what Dave does here! MAGNIFICENT! Thank you, Dave! Saved a bundle for a lot of folks! Stay warm and stay safe, Folks! Here in an Ohio Winter it's been minus -20*F--nothing to fool with. Make sure you give your job here a "trial run" BEFORE Old Man Winter arives. Cheers! Here's the YT on the transfer switch: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYfFhop5eNljepY

[@MaMa-qh4dy]

Question: That is simply a standard plug. How does this connect the neutral to the ground?

[@Pk3_Garage]

Truthfully with all the different power sources available in different price ranges, every home should have an Interlock or Manual Transfer Switch installed. But what you're trying to do, just install an Interlock on your main control panel. It's much safer, legal and doesn't require any modifications to your furnace.

[@brentjohnson6654]

Another great video. Here in Texas countryside we don’t have gas so our furnace is all electric meaning 240VAC. So I would power that with a whole house backup or maybe a portable generator like the Anker Solix 3800 which provides 240VAC split phase. In reality I will likely have a critical needs panel until I can cover the whole house with battery backup but that is another story. It is nice to have options. Thanks again for your videos. I always learn something. All the best from north Texas!

[@frankjones5283]

Good advice if the power goes out during the Winter and you are home. It usually happens here during the hot weather which requires much more power needs. During a rain storm my basement is in danger of flooding. I may need 15 amps of power for the sump pumps alone and the power may be out for days. My solution is using an inverter attached to my truck battery with extension cords. Of course the best solution would be to have an automatic whole house generator set up. This is just another quickie inexpensive solution if you are home when it happens.

[@donaldhoudek2889]

The nice thing about these Portable power stations (I have the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max) you can plug the Portable Power station into 120VAC source and leave the the furnace plugged into the Power station 24/7 as most of them incorporate a "Pass-through" feature where whatever is plugged into the Power station will be powered by the grid power while it is also keeping the Power stations battery charged. This way you do not have to get up in the middle of the night to plug the furnace into the power station as it automatically switches to battery when needed. I wish they had a feature for my RV's LP, which ALWAYS empties a tank between midnight and 5 AM and it is cold outside. LOL

[@diyhvacguy]

Awesome! I’ll have to do a video on this! Thanks so much for the idea.

[@JohnBlackman-f4q]

Great comment. I have an Ecoflow Delta 2 Max power station but was not aware of the pass through capability.

[@jeremywasinger3195]

Did this modification during the Texas Freeze of 2023, I found a previous video of yours. It was awesome to have some normal comfort during that outage. quick and easy, when grid power came back, unplugged from generator and plugged back into grid. I used a switched outlet so that I can still switch on and off if needed.

[@MN_Home_Fry]

I personally prefer the version you did with the switched outlet. With this one you can just unplug it but like having the switch.

[@rupe53]

most of the repair guys will prefer a switch as well.

[@peter-pg5yc]

In san jose code means your external tankless is plugged into a gfci outlet.when it failed the gfci i just used an extension cord from garage to have hot water.

[@danielworden4695]

Going to do this to mine at winter cleaning the furnace.i have a gas generator in garage I'm going to run an extension cord from.

[@mikeglasgow9618]

1,000 Watt inverter method is the one posted in a previous video is the one I want to go with. Pigtailed to my Chevy 2500HD Duramax. Also, I store my Deep Cycle RV batteries in my garage in the winter.

[@BoringVolcanicField]

That’s a great way to get an essential backup. Our setup is with a 120V Reliance TF151W 15A Easy/Tran Furnace Transfer Switch. Hardwired in and attached to the furnace and UL listed and inspected/approved by county. Takes an extension cord outlet as input. Had it on the old furnace and was essential last winter when had ice storm, sub freezing temps, and 70 mph winds that took out power for an extended amount of time. Used a Ecoflow Delta 2 as a buffer between our Honda EU3000is Gen and the furnace and other sensitive electronics like routers, cable modem, tv, etc. Extended cold weather took out old furnace heat exchangers so Gen backup transferred to new furnace. First time we needed to run generator overnight in 15 years we had Gen.

[@clemsmith1169]

A good practice is to do the job right. If you're not lazy or sloppy. You don't need to tape it

[@dguiley]

My first attempt at being able to supply critical items like my furnace and well pump (120v) was a manual transfer switch: I cut the power wires going to them and inserted male and female plugs inline. In the event of an emergency, I manually ran an extension cord from my generator to the basement and switched to it supplying the power. Never had to use it tho. Since then, I’ve added an inlet box for my generator and tied it to my breaker box with an interlock.

[@kurtjensen7264]

Thank you. Quite certain I can do that myself. The bonding plug part was new to me. I have the battery.

[@realpatriot5896]

Yeah, I like those connectors too but they only work for solid wire not stranded.

[@johnbesharian9965]

While I don't have a need for this where I live [building built by FDR's WPA in 1939 as a school two years before I was born; converted to residential use in the '60's}, as my gas wall heater's thermostat is a two stage affair between how cold I feel and how cold my round 12'' dia. Taylor outdoor thermometer in the living room tells me it is. The blower is a 5 bladed, 52" dia ceiling fan. So, unless the thermo-couple fails (always keep a spare handy) or the gas supply is interrupted, all I have to do is rotate the L-shaped [looks like an Allen key] lever to on, adjust as necessary and I'm in business. No electricity, no heater fan, but a couple of dancing girls with palm fronds and ostrich feathers will take care of that minor detail. My question to you is about the Bonding Plug: I trained as a Power Man [MOS 640] at Fort Gordon, GA., in 1959, did well enough (top 10% - a.k.a. head of my class) that they sent me back to where I'd taken basic, Fort Ord, CA., and put me in charge of the fort's generator pool which also entailed going TDY [Temporary Duty] to Camp Roberts by Paso Robles and the Hunter Liggett Military Reservation by King City. I don't remember learning about "Bonding Plugs", but a quick glance at any of the skeletal ones depicted tells me they're basically a three wire plug with the ground and neutral prongs connected with an insulated 14 or 12 gauge, 15 or 20 amp rated jumper fuse wire between neutral and ground. Correct? [Yes, if anyone ever says: "Here, hold this wire. Now, hold this other one" - DON'T DO IT!]

[@illuminatiagent7691]

if you have a gas furnace, then look around it. You'll find a little box with a switch that says "auto"/"manual. When power goes, just push it to "manual," and your furnace will work, no control over the thermostat but heat in the home till power comes back. Much easier than playing with the system.

[@josephpadula2283]

And what runs the fan ?

[@scott-kf1bi]

My furnace has a lite switch and 2 outlets. Love your idea, I just need to do a little research on how to wire my set up.

[@neilbrookins8428]

If the wire coming into the box is both 14 gauge and also fed from a 15 amp breaker then it doesn’t make sense to use the outlet shown which is for 20 amp service.

[@rupe53]

why argue for the 1-2 bucks extra, other than it's not code to have a 20 amp outlet on a 15 amp circuit, which is usually is on a small furnace.

[@neilbrookins8428]

@@rupe53 it’s a simple issue. The 20 amp outlet allows you to plug in a 20 amp load device. That will trip the 15 amp breaker. You shouldn’t mislead a person to think the circuit supports 20 amps when it does not.

[@rupe53]

@@neilbrookins8428 and that's the reasoning behind the code not allowing a 20 amp outlet on a 15 amp circuit. BTW, a 15 amp breaker will run overloaded for many minutes before tripping. The problem will eventually be failing insulation due to heat cycling if it gets used that way.

[@peterkavan8368]

Your GFI wall outlet may have reverse polarity because your tester was chirping when you plugged it into the neutral slot on the plug.

[@patrickgr1547]

We love winter ❄️ thanks another great how do video.

[@Raymond-rr5iv]

Thank you for this very interesting, fabulous video that could save people's lives and is very simple to do (if you follow the directions above ).

[@KenButters-d6x]

Good idea But why didn’t you just use one of the knockouts on the SG box instead of drilling a hole in the furnace.

[@stevea6722]

Very well could have but it might get a little crowded. Changing from a single gang box to a double gang with a single outlet cover would fix that as well.

[@just-me-where-ever-ek8kp]

As far as the external double Receptacle , why not use one with an “ON/OFF” Switch?Keeps the convenience of the Furnace shut-off at the Furnace.

[@jerrybell6786]

Thanks for the video. Where do we find and calculate the needed wattage for the furnace to correctly size the generator?

[@munozinni]

Hola señor Dave!!! Excellent video and very educational …Saludos !!!👋😊👋

[@manovcncanada]

Wow I will keep that in my data it great idea for. Emergency situation

[@aaronblackford981]

Thanks for the video. So much better than the “widow makers of the past that I had to learn to make work. But I am much older so I should know more now. Never thought of doing this method. But I gotta figure out my situation with a gas mounted furnace that’s completely outside. Hmm. I shall find a video. It’s a weird house I got and with all the outside venting ish by looks. I know how the house was originally designed in the 60s and how they decided to do the design as a single home they prob ever built with what little money they had and never meant to sold until both died. Things like design from the foundation to to the roof in 70 years amazes me.

[@josephpuchel6497]

Hey Very nice tutorial

[@KevinKinder-ey9gv]

My oil furnace has been set up like that since it was installed works great

[@bluejay713]

Hi when you install your own diy hvac system iv seen on other video it might not be a good idea to use stay brite 8 the acid from the flux will mix with the refrigerant and cause a compressor failure unless you flush out the line sets after your done using stay brite 8.

[@MarkBarrja]

Hey thank you for this video and all that you do for DIYers, just wanted to get some ideas on your approach doing this having a transformer on the opposite side of the socket

[@Dan-bl4un]

Very good video. Thanks for sharing. I've also watched your other videos about this and. Keep it up.

[@EricN73158]

I know people hate me for always pointing this out. Anyways at 3:25. So you check the tester to see if the tester is working on a known live source, then check if what you are working on is off, BUT after seeing it is off you check the tester again to see if it did not break. It is more or less standard for how to test if something is dead. I have seen once the tester break after checking it worked then on what should of been dead and someone got shocked.

[@BillyBobDingledorf]

Interesting about the furnace needing bonded neutral. Also interesting that a portable power station isn't bonded. A little info on how to tell the difference would be helpful. Bonus: Making your own bonded plug is super easy.

[@rupe53]

most of the control circuits are DC and use the cabinet as a ground. Yeah, it's screwball but reality.

[@MrRaymond1021]

Would this idea work with an electric heater/AC or it's only for gas operating system? Thanks for sharing. 👍👍👍

[@peter-pg5yc]

how about main for heater goes to a switch 1st then to an outlet a single one with a snap cover. You then have the furnace hooked to a 12 guage wired plug. That when its house power its plugged in to outlet. then when power out you flip switch unplug furnace and plug it into another source like your battery backup... why do this because sheet happens I dont like a breaker flipped its just stupid waiting to happen.. Oh Id also add a 120v small red or green bulb before switch to know when power is restored. and you can re attach the main power at furnace inside of the home. No woops did I flip the right breaker. No double powering no honey or some one else flipping breaker on.. we all make woops.. remembber flashlight always work in daylight.

[@mikejohnson8792]

Probably a dumb question, but I am no electrician. The outlet installed replacing the switch, can you plug the pig tail in either one?

[@DavidLopez-po6pb]

It is verrey important , interesting , educational, GRACIAS BRO

[@michaelfelix1]

Awesome video sir. Thank You.

[@MaMa-qh4dy]

Inverters attached to a car usually produce "dirty power" -- NON-pure sine wave. Can this effect the sensitive control board or possibly other components????

[@options9119]

for a blower motor rated 1/3 hp, 115 V, 5.1 A, what size power station would be required?

[@ModleskyAutoDetailing]

Does this work for hot water baseboard as well? Just need power for ignition

[@MatthewVikdal]

Great information. My question would be, can I use a car adapter plug in to run my furnace? I realize I need to keep an eye on my battery volt level.

[@the-Bhawk7]

Would I need a bonding plug for a solar inverter..... thanks for posting just what i needed.

[@lschoolfield]

Excellent video! I have a heat pump, but only use the "emergency" gas setting. I'm confused because I only have a hot and a neutral wire supplied to the unit. Can this still be done?

[@jameskringlee8974]

Probably best to use a single outlet (not duplex). Any "inspector", rightfully could point out that the second outlet invites someone to wrongfully plug something in to what is required to be a single use furnace circuit. A well made, old style, twisted together wires with a well tightened and taped wire nut IS THE BEST most reliable wire connection

[@rupe53]

It's actually common to have an outlet for a condensate pump with AC or a condensing furnace. The code violation will be a 20 amp outlet on a 15 amp circuit. BTW, while a plug is ok by code as a disconnect, furnace code will still call for a switch. IOW, he probably needs both.

[@jameskringlee8974]

@@rupe53 Thank You. I have a 80% furnace and do not have any condensate pump/ condensing furnace experience. I Am of the opinion that it is too much "complicated efficiency" for stand alone reliability in these times. I too noticed the 20 amp outlet and 14 gauge cord and circuit wiring? so a switched outlet - single or duplex as indicated?

[@mikemundt3218]

My furnace was hard wired. It didn't have a switch. I just opened up the furnace and the junction box inside and pulled the wires to the outside of the furnace. Installed a box and outlet on the end of the house wiring. Then, I added the pigtail and the connection of the pigtail to the furnace is in the junction box inside the furnace. I just did this today in advance of this evening's big windstorm. So, I shouldn't lose power now.

[@1johnnycs]

What is the name of the power supply unit.? Or where can one get something similiar ? THANKS !

[@currentfaves65]

Just search portable power station, Bluetti, EcoFlow, Jackery are a few of the top brands.

[@Beautiful-Disaster]

I have an oil furnace, if this is for natural gas furnaces what can I do, how does this help me?

[@ENKTechnologies]

What kind of gas line/fitting did you use in this installation? BTW I used your videos, got my technician license and saved $14,000 installing a hybrid 4 ton heatpump/gas furnace by myself! Thank you so much!

[@diyhvacguy]

It’s a quick connect that is typically used for gas grills. Because this is in the middle of my garage I didn’t want to out in a permanent one so this works great. Obviously not up to code for a permanent installation.

[@larryh.5101]

How do you handle a fused shutoff box between your furnace and the breaker, how would you recommend wiring it in for use case?

[@Sawpainter_td]

Love the video. Thanks for the info! Heads up, Anker had a recall on a few of their powerbanks at the end of September 2024. Check out the recall notice before you purchase. I have an Anker power bank, and mine is fine.

[@AtypicalNintiesKid]

question! could one use a light switch plug combo so one doesn't lose that functionality? anyway nice video very informative and concise ^-^

[@vedales8670]

Would this work the same way on an electric furnace?

[@daneking1209]

God bless you for this good sir. Earned my sub

[@skydancerforever]

You have like 4 different video's doing this proceedure. One has a green devise. What way is best? My switch is not close to my furnace. i think it has a round glass fuse in it? Can i di the same at that location or will i need to mount a electrical box at my furnace?

[@kevingeorge644]

Outstanding job Thanks

[@skydancerforever]

Do the wago connection work on small wires like the ones that comes from the thrmostat down to the furnace?

[@GreyRockOne]

Excellent! Thanks Dave

[@bluejay713]

Hi you wouldn't need to buy this from amazon home depot sales these unless people want to spend extra money on shipping.

[@stuart5896]

Just wondering, do you need the Bonding plug if you plan on using a portable generator for you external power source?

[@rontcyip]

Is the bonding plug necessary if the power station is plugged in an outlet? I asked because I noticed my power station has no ground stand along; but grounded when plugged in. Thanks Great video btw!

[@ADAdams-wn1nc]

Thank you for your informative and easy to understand videos. I have set up y furnace as you instructed in your video. I have not tested it yet as I am trying to figure out a battery (inverter) size to buy for this purpose. I do have a Honda generator that I can plug into the lighting panel but it is larger than I would need to just run the furnace for a short period of time for emergency heat. Any suggestions on a video to recommend the best battery (inverter) brand and size to use to run the furnace in an emergency?

[@billballoo7881]

There are all types of thermostats out there and different wires coming out of the wall from the A/C. How do you know if you are buying the right thermostat?

[@tombruce5758]

Question, If you don't have a power station, can you use a portable gas generator outside and do you still need the bonding plug. Thanks for such a good informational video, makes it really easy to understand.

[@diyhvacguy]

Yes absolutely

[@neilbrookins8428]

@@diyhvacguy No, most gas generators are already bonded so no plug is needed. Also, most 120v outlets on a gas generator is gfci and you CAN’T use a bonding plug on a gfci without tripping it.

[@KurtKoster-s6t]

Code in Denver says you must have a flip switch to cut power and a screw in fuse at furnace

[@rupe53]

that's actually a national code. Code also says you can't have a 20 amp outlet on a 15 amp circuit.

[@josephpadula2283]

I have Never seen a screw in fuse at a furnace so it can not be a national rule !

[@rupe53]

@@josephpadula2283 the part about a screw in fuse likely dates back to at least WWII and never got removed. (maybe even the 1920s) The reason was adding central heat to a home without adding an extra circuit to the fuse box. IOW, tying into an existing power feed in the basement and making your own branch line. There was actually a combination switch / fuse base made to fit a 2x4 box with a small flip-up cover for the fuse. (have one in my house) Kinda cute but short lived because many just installed a ceramic bulb fixture and landed the fuse there, next to the switch box. Screw in fuses have the same thread as a lightbulb.

[@michiganman845]

Can you run an extension cord from outside gas generator and plug it into the pigtail, instead of the battery generator?

[@diyhvacguy]

Correct

[@B_r_u_c_e]

Thank you.

[@GH0ST369]

So what is the likelyhood the natural gas pump station will be down if the grid is down?

[@uptoolate2793]

Less.

[@theguardingdark1183]

Can you do this with an electric furnace? I live in a mobile home and have a DOWNFLOW/UPFLOW ELECTRIC FURNACE MODELS: EB SERIES. I use a 12,500 watt generator. Can I do this with the furnace I have? Do generators need that bonded plug? With an all electric home when the power goes out I'm pretty well Boinked.

[@Honestandtruth007]

Great idea 💡💯💡 as Always 👍. 8 years ago when I installed a gas self igniter Heater on the Wall.... And did Convertion run on Natural gas on the GENERATOR. Everyone in my Family Complained about it and made a lot of Bad Comments. Why this and why that❓❓ 2-years Later, We we had Winter storm and ice and Power outage. Many people were moved to Hotel and some Old people were dead without electricity. Then everyone in my Family said to me " You are Smart guy and always prepared"... People in General they don't See and don't believe. In my mind I called them what a Clueless and Stupid people.

[@paulsylvester1394]

I strongly recommend you use nothing but 3M electrical tape. It guarantees the highest quality. We use it for all connections on railroad signals in awful environments and it stays attached and remains pliable.

[@williameisenberg1999]

This will work but not advisable for a furnace to be cord and plug connected.

[@Amberdogproductions]

Im totally lost on what the binding plug does or for. Seems it shoukd work fine if its getting power. And my power bank only has 1 outlet

[@onehitpick9758]

It's better to have the switch, and have the switch run to an outlet on the wall from the start. If this is not the way it's already wired, then I guess this is a good fix, but I'd rather have a furnace switch and a wall outlet be code. Then you can simply put a UPS in, and you're good to go in emergencies. A decent UPS should be able to light a furnace for weeks of a power outage. Generators can't be indoors and require setup and possibly starting fluid to get going if they've been on ice for a while.

[@mariehud7382]

Wow, thanks!

[@paulcarlomagno1673]

I would just leave the switch alone and E Extension cord to the Box inside and you make sure to cove the end of the extension cord this way if you have power outage you can flip the switch off and plug in your extension cord power source this way you're not removing the switch and the hardwired circuit.

[@simon359]

If you buy a furnace and put this receptor in, is it going to void your warranty? Plus, drilling a hole in the outside of the furnace.

[@WiSeNhEiMeR-1369]

Thanks COOP ...

[@johnsn10]

Is it safe to plug this into a regular generator or will it ruin electronics inside the furnace? I have an oil fired furnace

[@chettsalzman9168]

What about if your furnace is in the attic?

[@tedfisk1211]

This is a very good video and something we want to do. The power in our city is very dependable as we have had maybe two outages in the 25 years we have lived here. However, we do need to be able to power our gas furnace in the event of an outage during the winter. Do you have any idea how much it should cost to have an electrician do this work that you showed in the video?

[@diyhvacguy]

Probably 300-500 if I had to guess. Maybe less. The great part is it’s 100% reversible should someone say it’s “not up to code”. I’ve seen so many homes here in Utah with an outlet and a plug just like this and most inspectors would have no objections to it

[@GeorgeKennedy-u4r]

Nice idea man. OK if you have a "battery power station" but just with a actual generator it would have to be outside. How much power/current does the average furnace draw? If it's that 230w then the battery amp draw is 10 times that or about 20A. I know that usually the gel-cell batteries (like the ones for UPS backup) are shit. only last perhaps 2 years even if not used, and are expensive to replace.

[@rupe53]

read your data tag then figure out if the watts are combined or separate for the heater and blower. Most will be in the 200 - 400 watt range. That's 2-4 amps total. An oil or gas boiler will be in the 2-3 amp range, including the circulators.

[@TheKingOfInappropriateComments]

I never thought to do this. Hey where do you get those enclosure boxes that was on the inside? I didn;t see a link for that.

[@azizhouston84]

Have a 13000 watts duramax generator With a 3.5 ton ac and a 2.5 ton ac both having a micro air soft start kit Do I still need this or the generator will be able to handle everything

[@jdthewelder8308]

If the power is out how long will the "gas" continue to flow to houses?

[@MrToLIL]

That gas is coming through pressurized lines from many miles away. And those stations have their own back up systems.

[@jdthewelder8308]

@@MrToLIL Thanks for the response I understand how the gas comes to my house I want to know an estimate of how many days or weeks the back up systems at the gas company will continue to work...

[@almostrvperfect6203]

@@MrToLIL Correct. My late uncle was a gas meter man. I ask that question 25 years ago. Sometimes the gas travels 100's of miles before getting to your house. Its the gas companies first priority as they cannot bill if the gas doesn't get to your house. They are backed up 6 ways to Sunday including earth quake designs. Just sayin.

[@HPL5P]

You should have just installed that cable clamp in to the junction box and made the termination inside that.. Done and done. This hurts my head. The idea is on point though.

[@JonD-ee3im]

How many watts is everyone seeing being used by your furnace? I’m trying to see how long the power station lasts.

[@jean8042]

My husband and I had someone do this for us for 50 dollars but going to a Honda generator outside, I must mention the local furnace company wanted 500 dollars for this job.

[@JohnPaul-pb4eu]

So why was there a switch there BUT NOW ITS removed?? dont u need that switch, didnt it serve a purpose before? thx

[@6.7_]

What generator power supply was that you are using?

[@peter-pg5yc]

I got a thermocouple mini volt. Only needs a flame..

[@annnonomys3132]

Just a warning for your viewers. There are battery powered thermostats that do NOT receive power from the furnace or any other source. In the case when house power is out, the thermostat will still have battery power. The problem is, in the separate case where the battery in the thermostat dies, the house will not have heat.

[@diyhvacguy]

Right, but what are the odds of that? And it typically will say battery low on the t stat. What I really meant to say is the t stat will still CONTROL the furnace. It doesn’t need its own emergency power source. Thanks for clarifying for the viewers. Cheers

[@annnonomys3132]

@@diyhvacguy I found your video helpful. Thanks. Not intending a conflict. Just wanted folks to know that their thermostat may be powered only by battery, not any other power source. Not related to the house power being out. Many people don't realize that their heat depends on AAA batteries. Yes, the thermostat screen will say battery out. But that doesn't help If you aren't home. For example, I used to be away more than I was home. When I bought the house it had one of those absurd battery powered thermostats. Twice my thermostat died when I was away. Both times I was saved by two different house guests who realized that the house was getting cold.

[@BoringVolcanicField]

I keep a house log file and note all home maintenance items. I noted the time between getting battery low warnings on the old battery powered thermostat and just scheduled the next change on my phone calendar. The interval was 1 year if I remember correctly. Current thermostat is powered from the hvac system.

[@NodramaNoProblem]

THANK YOU so much 😊. So would we be correct in thinking we're good just keep an eye on the battery

[@gatestonelandlord3610]

Not 100% clear why you need that bonding plug? is it furnace (I have a 15 year old Armstron Air Enhanced model) or the type of your type of solar generator? hoping those plug won't short anything depending on your solar generator model? Thanks