Generator Buying Guide

 

Generator Buying Guide For Businesses

When the main power is unavailable, your tech systems and equipment can no longer run, leaving you unable to complete your tasks efficiently. And, because much of your work also comes to a halt, you also lose time and money. This is something most businesses just can't afford to risk and the reason why having a backup power source is an absolute necessity. However, purchasing a generator is a huge investment. You need to be sure the generator you are buying will be able to cater to your power needs. You also need to be sure it won't easily break, even with frequent use. And, you need to consider its upfront and maintenance costs. So, how do you choose the right generator? Here is a comprehensive generator buying guide Australia to help you make the right decision.

1. Identify Your Needs: Standby, Primary, Or Emergency Power

The first thing you need to do on this generator buying guide is to identify your needs.

You need to think about why you need a generator. Is it for the occasional power outage? Do you need it for mission-critical operations? Or, will it serve as a permanent on-site power source? Whatever your purpose for buying a generator might be, there's a generator to fit your needs.

Emergency Power

Just like its name suggests, an emergency power generator is the best generator for emergency preparedness. They act as an alternate source of power in case the main power grid is out. Emergency power generators won't power your entire facility, but they can temporarily supply power to some of your important applications such as exit lights and fire alarms.

Standby Power

If you need your operations to remain fully functional during a power outage, a standby generator will work best for you. Standby generators act as an independent power source and can supply most, if not all, of your required power loads. They monitor the primary power supply and start as soon as they detect a power failure.

Primary Power

If you work in a remote location, you want to save on utility costs, or if the local grid can't handle your facility's power requirements, you might need a primary power generator. A primary power generator replaces or supplements the main power grid. It can run uninterrupted 24/7, except for scheduled maintenance. It is often used in businesses that provide critical services and use high energy levels like data centres and hospitals.

2. Choose A Generator Type: Stationary Vs. Portable

Another thing to look at when finding the best generators for sale is where you will be using them. If your business operates out of one location, you will need a stationary generator. It can be permanently installed in your facility to provide standby power to all your essential equipment and the entire building. However, if you need a mobile power source, a portable generator can be a better fit for you. They are great for remote power generation and are mostly used on construction sites and special or recreational projects.

3. Determine Your Power Requirements

After figuring out the type of power and generator you want, the next thing on the generator buyer's guide is to determine is your power requirements. You need to know things like your facility’s total wattage, the generator running time you need, and whether you need a single-phase or three-phase power generator.

First, you'll need to calculate the total wattage you need to keep your business running. To do this, list down all the applications you need your generator to power. A standby generator can power all or most of your operations but you might want to choose only the most critical applications instead of powering the entire building. Then, get the total wattage of all the items you need to operate. You can also check your wattage from previous utility bills. After getting the total wattage of all your essential applications, add 25% to your final figure to ensure you never overdraw on your power supply.

After determining the wattage you need, find out how much running time you need in case of an emergency. If you need a prime energy generator, the running time will be indefinite given proper maintenance and a steady fuel supply. However, for standby generators, most manufacturers recommend a maximum running time of 500 hours at a time. This should be enough to cover your power needs for about three weeks.

Finally, you will need to choose between a single or three-phase power generator. A single-phase generator can cover the power needs of small businesses, producing 240 volts and rated for 120 and 240-volt appliances. On the other hand, three-phase generators can support higher electrical demands. They are suitable for manufacturing plants, farms, and other industrial applications. If your company operates three-phase equipment, a three-phase generator will match your needs

4. Decide Which Type Of Fuel To Use

Now that you’ve narrowed down your options based on your power needs, it’s time to select which fuel you want to use. Most commercial and industrial generators run on either diesel or natural gas. Diesel fuel is reliable, fuel-efficient, and widely available. Diesel engines also have a fast kick-on time and are easy to maintain. However, if you are concerned about carbon footprints, you might want to avoid diesel because it produces more emissions than other fuels.

If you want a cleaner and more affordable fuel type, natural gas is your best fuel option. In addition to being environmentally friendly and economical, natural gas also performs better in cold weather. Moreover, it eliminates the need for on-site storage since it comes through the utility’s natural gas lines.

A gasoline fuelled generator can also be a viable option if you require less than 150 kW of power. But if you need more power than that, you’re better off using diesel or natural gas.

5. Consider Additional Features

When purchasing a generator, look for units with additional features. Here are some things you might want your generator to have:

Automatic CO Shutoff

This is a critical safety feature that automatically shuts down a generator's engine if a built-in CO sensor detects levels of the deadly gas rising to dangerous levels.

Automatic Start

This feature automatically turns the generator on when the main power goes off. There’s no need for you to pull-start your generator’s engine or press any button.

Low-Oil Shutoff

Engine damage can happen when oil falls below minimum levels. But, if your generator has a low-oil shutoff feature, you won’t have to worry about it. Your generator will detect when oil runs low and automatically shuts down. This is a standard feature for most stationary generators but is increasingly becoming common on portable types as well.

No matter what kind of business you operate, a generator can help mitigate the risk of a shutdown. With a wide range of commercial generators for sale, there are surely a few that can best serve your specific purposes and load requirements. Use this generator buying guide to learn how to pick the right generator for your unique power needs. And, when checking your options, make sure to choose a reliable brand and distributor that can help you get your money's worth.