Standby Generator Types: Which One is the Perfect Fit for your Family?
Oct 23, 2012 Generators
Posted by
Generator World
When it comes to disaster preparedness, backup generators are where it’s at. There isn’t much else that will come in handy the way a backup generator will. Backup power systems run on common fuel types. Many models are enabled to be connected to a natural gas line. It is highly recommended before making your purchase to know a little bit about each type so that you can make an informed decision. Natural gas generators can be a costly but smart investment so be certain to get a model that meets or even exceeds your needs.
Additionally, here are a few questions to ask yourself when planning to buy a home generator: How much time ,in your experience, will you require to run your generator on your property? Would you be better off getting a portable or standby generator? Is there one type of fuel that makes more sense for you than others? Can it be bought where you live? Will your fuel be accessible in the event of a blackout because of a hurricane or earthquake? Does anyone in your household need special needs services? After determining these things, you will have a pretty good understanding of what kind of home generator you will need. Here are some more things to consider that will assist you in making a smart choice.
Natural Gas:
Natural gas is the easiest to come by among generator types and is a cheap and stable fuel. Its only potential drawback is that it can still be hard to come by in a select few areas. Before you invest in a home generator system to check your local fuel options. Natural gas generators connect to your home’s supply. Refueling is a non-issue, which is a huge convenience for any homeowner. As an added bonus, NG, does not “gum-up” inside the motor because it produces no hard by-products, is far less audible than other other types when running, starts in cold weather and contribute to a longer engine life. The main problem is that you may have no access to NG in a widespread emergency, and can be volatile if the line is ruptured. You need to hire a professional installer and fuel is rather expensive.
Gasoline:
Gasoline is the most familiar type of fuel since cars are pretty common too. Another big advantage of gas generators the power-per-weight unit is higher than all others. Drawbacks cover semi-regular tune-ups, and gas only has a shelf life of 6 months.
Diesel:
The best part about diesel is that it is extremely efficient. Diesel works wonderfully for machinery and generators. However, it is priced higher than most other fuels. In general, it makes sense in terms of overhead and benefit. Diesel is the least flammable of all the fuel sources, diesel generators require less maintenance, and there is no sparking as the fuel ignites. Diesel generators are also designed to work for long periods, have no issue in sub-zero temperatures, run on diesel which has a better shelf life than gasoline, have lower maintenance costs, and is always readily available.
On the negative side, diesel engines tend to be louder, are heavier, and require more planning to set up. They are not so friendly towards the earth and you might find yourself limited to the times of day in which you are allowed to run it.
Propane:
standby generators tend to run on propane instead of other fuels that are not as commonly accessible. One big disadvantage of propane. A drawback for propane is that it used to be more expensive than gas. That said, now that gasoline is more expensive, this disadvantage is now non-existent. Propane today is the cheapest of all. Any challenges that people used to have with propane are now in the past.
Some advantages of propane are that the fuel lasts a long time in a usable state, it won’t glog your fuel line, it isn’t ‘dirty’ and ‘green’. It’s also cold-weather friendly. Propane also can be obtained easily during outages, can run longer than some other generator types, and won’t wear down your motor or fuel line over the years.
On the opposite side, propane generators are more complex, installation can be expensive, since you may need to hire a technician and you may need a large tank if you foresee the need for prolonged and frequent use. A propane leak poses far greater a threat to your family and home than any other type of gas leak, and the initial cost of the generator is higher than gas.
For more info go to: www.NPSBriggsandStratton