Renting the Right Generator

During power outages, a generator rental can become the best asset.  Oftentimes, when businesses and commercial / industrial centers lose power, they quickly react and seek generators to rent to restore power.  There are many different types of generators on today’s market and it is important to understand the differences to ensure your business is renting the right generator for the job.  The following two considerations are basic attributes of power generators and should be carefully considered before choosing what unit is best to utilize.

Gasoline versus Diesel

It is the longstanding truth that Diesel power is stronger and provides greater power than gasoline.  Diesel fuel is actually called “diesel oil”, which is a lubricant.  Gasoline is considered a solvent.  The types of engines differ as well.  Diesel engines have much fewer moving parts and do not even require spark plugs.  The engines do, however, require more oil and lubrication in addition to additional coolant.  Diesel engines can become much hotter than a gasoline engine, specifically because it is producing more horsepower and more torque.  Smaller scale power generators, notably the ones used by homeowners, run on gasoline as not much power is required by them, other than some simple electrical outlets.  Diesel generators, however, are essential for commercial and industrial use and come in many sizes and are used on larger scale projects, including helping to power a store for days.  Put simply, diesel fuel is much stronger than gasoline and can provide stronger power.

How much power?

In order to determine which type of generator is needed for the job, it is important to determine how much power is needed.  When businesses rent generators, they are oftentimes unaware of the power requirements of the job.  It is always safer to go larger on the power output, since most electrical units can vary on power requirements depending on the system.  For example, if a business is attempting to run a heating and cooling system (HVAC) and plug it in to a diesel generator, the amount of energy output will differ depending on the amount the system is asked to work.  Generators come in many sizes and are measures by the maximum level of kilowatt (KW) output.  Simply understanding the amount of power that is required by the operation will help determine what type of generator is needed.  Most people that rent generators, however, are unaware of their power requirements.

Understanding the two preceding factors will help you determine what type of power generator is required to do the job.  Effectively determining these two starting points will get you in the right direction to choosing the best power generator for your job.