Many business owners know they are going to need a generator for their company, whether as a backup power source or as a daily power source. However, there are several different types of generators to choose from and a business owner may not know which one is right for their establishment. Each type of generator has its own pros and cons, and they need to be evaluated before a business owner makes a purchase. Doing some research before buying a generator can save a company owner from wasting money and resources.
How Will You Use Your Generator?
The first thing a business owner needs to consider before they buy a generator is whether they are going to use it as an emergency backup power source or to provide power every single day. Many businesses use so much energy that running a generator can be less expensive than paying for electricity by usage. Buying fuel for a generator may save a company owner a lot of money, but it may not for others. This is the first thing that a business owner needs to consider before they go out and invest in a generator. After this decision has been made, a business owner needs to consider which type of generator is going to be best for their company: diesel, propane, or gas.
Propane Generators
For business owners that need to power large establishments, propane may not be the best option. This fuel contains less energy than gas does and it can be more expensive to purchase. However, it does burn cleaner than gasoline and it has an extremely long shelf life. Someone who plans on using a generator as a backup power source only may want to consider a propane generator because they can keep stocks of fuel on hand and not have to worry about it degrading over time. Business owners that have smaller establishments which don’t use much power may also want to consider a propane generator. It can be convenient as well because many business owners have their generator hooked up to large propane tanks that allow it to use the fuel as needed. While it’s possible to have smaller tanks on hand that can be hooked up when necessary, business owners with large energy consumption rates tend to use large tanks with their industrial generators.
Gas
Gas generators are one of the most common choices for business owners because the fuel is cheap. The generators are also cheaper to run overall because gasoline puts out 30% more heat than propane does, making it more energy-efficient. Also, most gasoline generators can be moved from one location to another easily because they have onboard tanks rather than external ones. This is also the most common type of fuel available, so it’s very easy to obtain on short notice. A gas generator may work for those who use theirs for a daily power source or for emergency purposes only. However, there are some downsides to gasoline generators that many business owners don’t approve of. One of the main ones is that when gasoline burns, it releases harmful emissions that can damage the environment. The fuel will also degrade much faster than other kinds and it needs to be replaced often, even if it hasn’t been used.
Diesel
Business owners that have large buildings which require large amounts of power tend to go with diesel generators because this type of fuel produces the most energy. This is another reason that business owners who are thinking about using a generator as a daily power source tend to choose diesel. A diesel generator is also expected to have a very long life expectancy, sometimes three or four times that of a gasoline generator. Diesel fuel is also safer to store in a facility because it’s flammable, but not quite explosive like gasoline can be. Diesel generators also don’t have any carburetors or spark plugs, making them easier to maintain in the long run. However, one of the biggest downsides to diesel generators is their noise level. These generators are much louder than any other type on the market, which is a problem for business owners that are operating with neighbors close by. The exhaust emitted from a diesel generator can sometimes be visible as well, which is another reason that many people don’t like to use them if they have other companies close by their building. Diesel generators will also cost a business owner a bit more money to install and setup, but this increase in price can be offset over the course of a few years because they are cheaper to run and easier to maintain. A business owner that plans on using their generator every day or making use of it for long periods of time should consider buying a diesel generator for their establishment.
When it comes to the question of which one is best, it really just depends on your particular business and what is needed. A company that operates in an area where the power rarely goes out and doesn’t require much energy to operate can likely make use of a propane generator without any complications. A company that is not anywhere near other buildings and uses lots of energy may want to go with a diesel generator to save money in the long run. The main thing that you need to consider when thinking about purchasing a generator is how often you plan on using it and how much power your establishment requires to operate successfully. Also, it’s a good idea to check on how often blackouts happen in your area. If they are frequent, then a gasoline generator may be better than a propane one.
