THE GREATEST NATURAL GAS GENERATORS - HOW YOU KNOW THEM

Natural gas generators run on natural gas instead of gasoline or diesel options. As of 2021, natural gas producers accounted for the largest share of total power generation capacity (43%) in the United States. Natural gas-powered generators are more cost-effective, efficient, and better for the environment than other fossil fuel-powered generators. However, they are less versatile than other generator types and will only be the best choice for some applications.

Please read our article to know about the different types of the best natural gas generators, how to calculate the dimension you need, and more.

Standby Natural Gas Generator

Standby Natural Gas Generator

Source: Amazon.com

Standby natural gas generators are common in residential, industrial, and commercial applications. In both cases, the best natural gas generator is permanently installed and fueled by the local utility company. In the event of a power failure, the backup generator will automatically operate. It is only designed to run for a limited time during an emergency. Operating a backup generator more than the specified number can cause malfunctions and require more frequent repairs.

Natural gas generators are a great option for backup power because, although power outages can occur, they are rare for natural gas. After all, the pipelines are below the surface soil and external factors. So unless located in an earthquake-prone area, homeowners and business owners can count on having an unlimited supply of generator fuel that will not "break down" like diesel. or must be stored in containers.

Prime Natural Gas Generator

Prime Natural Gas Generator

Source: Amazon.com

The main generator is used when there is no local utility, so the electricity generated is the only source of electricity available. This type of generator is less common, especially for indoor use, as most homes need the ability to connect to the natural gas line quickly, and many homes are finished with absolutely no gas pipeline. And if there is no natural gas connection to the utility line, the natural gas must be transported by truck.

Main generators have much longer runtimes and can handle larger loads than backup generators. When the commercial natural gas generator is needed at a site, the generator is usually transported there on a trailer or fifth wheel.

A subset of main generators is continuous generators. Both are the same, except continuous generator sets are meant to run continuously with a steady load. In contrast, primary generators are built to run for a long time with variable loads.

Hospitals, nursing homes, and other large facilities that provide uninterruptible electricity often use natural gas generators or diesel generators instead of gasoline generators. Gas-powered has a limited shelf life and can be difficult to get when you need it most. Propane generator tanks can also become scarce during natural disasters. And since diesel generators are a notorious cause of air pollution, companies that want to be more sustainable need another option.

For the same reason, residential backup generator installers use natural gas so homeowners can easily cycle through fresh gasoline. Homeowners don't have to "fill up" with fuel; the fuel will automatically go through the power line when needed.

First, consider choosing a generator size for your home. (Two or three-fuel portable generators that can run on gasoline, propane, and natural gas are discussed below.)

Whole-home generators power everything in your home or a select group of items, so you know exactly how many specific appliances and appliances you need to power. The size of your house will determine the transmitter size you need. Popular items include:

• Central air conditioning

• Fridge

• Gas furnace

• Washing machine and dryer

• Good pump

• Electric stove

• Microwave oven

• TVs and laptops

• Home security system

Generators are rated in kW; The higher the kW rating, the more power you can deliver. A dealer like Generac will mention exactly how many circuits you can power with a particular generator in the product information. This way, you can only select the items you want to power the most. For example, a 7.5 kW home backup generator can power 8 circuits, while an 11 kW generator can power 16 circuits. If your house has less than 16 circuits, you will have backup power for the entire house.

You will likely need the electrician to help you calculate the running and starting capacity (or spike) of the home appliances you want to be able to keep running during a power outage. The latter will be higher because some devices used more power when first turned on. Your natural gas generator will need to be able to meet the initial power requirement.

Sizing a natural gas generator for industrial use works similarly: calculate your needs and ensure the generator is rated high enough to handle peak loads.

Natural Gas Generator Size

Source: Amazon.com

As we said, diesel generators are the closest competitors to natural gas backup generators. Compare the two and see your advantages and disadvantages for each:

Storage: Diesel is only good for up to 24 months in storage, and bulk storage is expensive. Natural gas generators never have to be recharged.

Cost: Natural gas generators are less expensive to buy, and natural gas is cheaper, but the prerequisite of operating the gas lines means higher installation costs. Diesel generators typically last longer and require less maintenance, so operating costs are lower throughout their lifespan.

Safety: Diesel generator is the least flammable of all generator's fuel sources, while damaged natural gas lines are highly explosive.

Ease of use: Both two types start well in cold weather, but diesel generators are unsuitable for wet conditions. Diesel generators also have the risk of “wet burning,” a term that refers to unburnt fuel entering the exhaust system because the engine runs below its designed operating temperature for long periods. Natural gas generators do not have this problem.

Efficiency: The best natural gas generators cleanly burn with very little waste; however, diesel models are still more efficient, providing more usable energy than the same amount of natural gas course. 

Environmentally friendly: Although natural gas generators emit carbon dioxide, diesel exhaust is a well-documented toxic air pollutant. Natural gas ones also produce less noise pollution.

Diesel Generators

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Finally, natural gas tends to burn cleaner with fewer emissions than other fossil fuels. This can help reduce greenhouse gases and reduce your carbon footprint. As the need for sustainable living grows, and we begin to move away from petroleum-based fuels, natural gas generators could be a viable alternative that will benefit many households and businesses worldwide.