When it comes to choosing a backup generator, there are many factors that go into the decision of purchasing a natural gas vs diesel generator.
Did you know that the production of natural gas was nearly 4.09 trillion cubic meters worldwide in 2022? That’s an increase of about 23% since 2012.
Facts like these spark the debate on whether you should choose a diesel or natural gas generator.
There are pros and cons to each of these generators. It’s great to learn more about them before spending your hard-earned money, so keep reading to find out the basics of diesel and natural gas generators.
A diesel generator consists of a combination of a diesel engine and an alternator which produces electricity. These generators are pretty popular and they come in different sizes.
One of the greatest advantages of a diesel generator is that it can be used virtually anywhere. As long as you provide the generator with diesel fuel, it will run 24/7 producing electricity for your needs.
Common locations where diesel generators are used include remote construction sites and ships.
A diesel generator can also be used as a backup power source in the case of a blackout. You just fire the engine up and it will produce electricity for you and your family members until the power is restored.
Since diesel generators don’t rely on the power grid to produce energy, they require less maintenance and usually have longer lifespans. On top of that, the diesel fuel is also less flammable than natural gas, so there is a smaller chance of an explosion or fire in case something goes wrong.
At the other end of the spectrum, diesel generators might be more expensive than natural gas generators. With that being said, the maintenance costs are lower, so this will offset some of the initial cost of buying a generator which runs on diesel fuel.
Some diesel generators are also considered to be quite noisy. If you fire one up outside and you’re on a construction site, this might not bother you too much, but if you use one in your basement, garage or backyard, the noise might bother your family members and/or neighbors.
Another disadvantage of a diesel generator consists of its high pollution factor. This type of fuel does more harm to the environment in comparison with natural gas or other types of fuel.
To summarize, here are the pros and cons of diesel generators, compared to natural gas:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Natural gas generators are also pretty common and usually in competition with gas generators. These devices use natural gases such as propane or methane to produce electricity and they’re highly reliable in many situations. If these are your favorite, check out how you can avoid mistakes when buying natural gas generators.
Natural gas generators are considered to be less dangerous to the environment in comparison with other types of fuels. Although this is a non-renewable type of energy, it burns cleaner and helps you reduce your carbon footprint.
These generators can be easily connected to the power grid to draw natural gas and power up machinery and tools in almost any location. Since natural gas travels through underground pipes, you don’t have to actually store it to be used by the generator.
A natural gas generator can save you money in the long run since this type of fuel is less expensive in comparison with other types of fuel. There are numerous places in the world with an abundant amount of natural gas available for use and that’s why this type of fuel is so cheap.
Although natural gas generators are considered by some to be the ideal choice, they also have their own drawbacks. For example, natural gases emit carbon dioxide which is a toxic gas harmful to your health.
At the same time, your generator will always be connected to the pipeline and rely on it for a constant supply of natural gas. If there are storms or serious accidents, this can disrupt the delivery of natural gas to your generator and cause downtime for your project.
Another disadvantage of natural gas generators is that they are slightly more dangerous than other types of energy generators. Natural gas is highly flammable, so if leaks are detected, there might be an explosion or a fire.
To summarize, here are the pros and cons of natural gas generators, compared to diesel:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
This is a tough question and to find the right answer, you need to pay attention to a few things:
These are only a few of the questions you should ask yourself to ensure you’re making a good decision when buying natural gas or diesel generators.
The “gas vs diesel generators” debate has always been around and it might continue for at least a few decades. To make sure you’re buying the right product, learn everything you can about natural gas and diesel generators.
You can do that right now by visiting our blog and reading more about how to save money when buying a used diesel generator!
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