Diesel VS Natural Gas Generator?
As much as we depend on it, our access to electricity is surprisingly precarious. From accidents and technical glitches to wide-scale natural disasters, unexpected events can disrupt the power grid in an instant. Investing in a dependable standby generator is a surefire way to safeguard against these sudden outages, but where to start?
The most popular choices are diesel and natural gas generators. Both provide steady and convenient backup power, but neither is ideal for every situation. That’s why we’re here to break down everything you need to know to decide which genset is right for your home or business.
Six Keys to Selecting a Standby Generator
Generators come in many forms, and trying to sift through the various pros, cons and technical details is enough to make your head spin. Fortunately, we’ve whittled it down to six key factors you can use to determine whether a natural gas or diesel generator is a better fit for your needs.
Fuel Availability and Ease of Access
Installing a natural gas generator means connecting to a municipal utility line. This can make the process more complex and expensive, but it provides an inexhaustible fuel supply that never needs to be refilled or stored on-site. However, gas connections aren’t available everywhere, and local utilities are still vulnerable to disruption in extreme circumstances.
Conversely, diesel is as foolproof as it gets. It’s widely available for delivery and can be stored in large volumes if necessary, affording complete control over your fuel supply. This makes diesel-fueled generators ideal for isolated homes, health-sustaining medical devices, mission-critical equipment, and anything else requiring maximum redundancy.
Capacity and Energy Usage
Size is always an important factor in selecting a generator, but capacity alone doesn’t tell the whole story. It’s also a matter of how you plan to use that capacity. Natural gas generators perform best when power consumption is steady, even if the load is well below the unit’s maximum output. As such, they’re often the first choice for homes and small businesses with modest energy needs.
Diesel-powered generators are just the opposite, easily handling sudden surges and fluctuations but struggling under lighter loads. Thanks to the high energy density of diesel fuel, these systems are best for commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings. They’re also well-suited to large homes with multiple energy-hungry appliances, such as HVAC units, EV chargers, dryers, and electric ranges.
Installation and Operating Costs
Generally speaking, diesel generators are less expensive to purchase and install than natural gas units — good news if you’re operating on a tight budget. This is especially true when factoring in permitting, gas line hookups, and other hassles and expenses.
In the long term, however, lower fuel and upkeep costs can often tilt the math in favor of natural gas. The more you use a natural gas generator, the more you’re likely to save, eventually offsetting the higher upfront cost and putting money back into your pocket.
Frequency and Duration of Outages
If short-lived power outages are a regular occurrence in your neck of the woods, a natural gas generator is likely your best bet. Since fuel comes straight from the gas main, you never have to worry about getting caught with an empty tank or waiting for a delivery. As long as the gas line is working, you’ll always have power whenever you need it.
Unfortunately, if conditions are bad enough to knock out power for days or weeks, other utilities could be shut down as well. If it’s these rare, long-lasting grid disruptions that most concern you, a diesel generator with a large storage tank can provide greater security and peace of mind.
Emissions and Noise Levels
Diesel-powered generators aren’t exactly known for their quiet operation. Nor are they particularly clean-burning, producing unpleasant odors and combustion byproducts that can impact local air quality. This is rarely a problem in rural or industrial areas, but it can create serious challenges in residential neighborhoods and commercial zones.
If you’re worried about noise ordinances, environmental regulations, or other local laws, consider opting for a natural gas system. Not only are they cleaner and quieter than comparable diesel units, but they’re typically easier to site and permit in populated places.
Reliability and Service Life
While both types of systems are considered very reliable, there’s a reason hospitals, data centers and other critical facilities overwhelmingly use diesel generators. They’re exceptionally resilient, starting and running well in all conditions and often exceeding 20,000 operating hours with minimal performance loss. On the downside, both the fuel and the generator require considerable maintenance to remain in top condition.
For natural gas generators, a service life of 10,000 to 20,000 hours isn’t uncommon. These units usually require less maintenance and burn more cleanly, but they may not start as reliably if gas pressure isn’t steady. They’re also more susceptible to wear and tear from rapidly changing loads. Still not sure which option better suits your needs? We’ve got you covered.
