From bad weather to accidents, a number of incidents beyond your control can lead to a power outage. And it’s never a convenient time to lose power. If your household or business runs on propane you should consider a propane generator’s reliability as a backup power source.
Is a propane generator the right choice for your needs? Let’s find out.
What are Propane Generators?
Propane generators provide power to keep your lights on and appliances working by burning propane gas. Always on standby, they are designed to kick in automatically when your primary power source fails. Because propane is readily available and has a long shelf life, it is a dependable fuel source in emergencies.
How Do Propane Generators Work?
Propane generators are powered by good old-fashioned combustion. The propane is drawn from the fuel tank and mixed with air in the generator’s carburetor or fuel injection system. This combination of elements is then ignited by a spark plug, creating a controlled explosion.
This combustion process turns a small engine, which is connected to an alternator. As the engine turns, it generates electrical power that is sent to your home or business through a transfer switch.
Types of Propane Generators
Each type of propane generator has its advantages. Choose the generator that will best fit your needs.
- Standby Generators: If you need a generator that can handle the high power demands of a large facility or home, choose a standby generator. This would be a permanent installation located outside of your home or business – similar to the set-up of a central air conditioning unit – ready to go. These generators can automatically start and stop as needed and are designed to provide continuous power during an outage.
- Dual Fuel Generators: Double your convenience with a dual fuel generator. These give you the flexibility and convenience of running on propane and gasoline. You choose the fuel source that best suits the situation, especially when one might be more readily available than the other.
- Portable Propane Generators: These propane generators are compact and easy to move, making them the ideal choice for many needs, from camping to construction sites to a backup power source for your home or business.
Benefits of Propane Generators
Let’s take a look at the ways a propane generator has an advantage over other types of generators:
- Cost-Effective: Gas and diesel prices can fluctuate but propane prices tend to be steady and often more affordable. Propane also burns more efficiently, giving it the edge as a cost-effective choice.
- Flexible Installation: Propane generators can be portable or permanent. Portable propane generators are simple to set up. They connect quickly to your home or business whenever needed and are easy to use. Standby generators provide a permanent backup power presence. As such, they require professional installation but they are ready to go once set up.
- Safety: Propane is a safe, efficient, and economical choice, including using it to power a generator. With propane, there is a lower risk of combustion compared to gasoline. Propane generators also have safety features – such as automatic shutdown systems – to prevent accidents.
- Longer Lifespan: Propane generators typically have a longer lifespan than their gasoline or diesel counterparts. A well-maintained propane generator can last 20-40 years, providing you with consistent and reliable backup power.
- Consistent Power Output: Propane generators deliver stable and consistent power output making them an excellent choice for keeping your sensitive electronic equipment running without issue. This continuity is because a propane generator produces both starting watts – the power required to start items – and running watts – the ongoing power to keep things running.
- Minimal Maintenance: When compared to gas or diesel generators, propane generators require less maintenance. Because propane burns cleanly, engine deposits are lower and there is less need for frequent oil changes. It is recommended to have annual maintenance for your standby generator to make sure it is ready for use whenever you might need it.
- Fuel Storage: Propane is preferred over gasoline thanks to its long shelf life. Gasoline can experience deterioration over time while propane can be stored safely for extended periods of time.
- Environmentally Friendly: Propane is the most environmentally friendly choice when compared to gasoline or diesel. This is because propane burns clean, producing fewer emissions and pollutants compared to gasoline or diesel. This also makes propane the generator of choice if you’re concerned about your carbon footprint.
Propane Generators: The Safe and Reliable Choice
Propane generators are the consistently reliable, safe and cost-effective option for backup power to your home or business. Whether it’s a portable generator to keep your appliances running or a standby generator to ensure your business doesn’t miss a beat, propane gives you many options.
Learn more about how to begin using propane for your home or business on our Moyer Propane page.