Does your home require more than a portable generator? Instead, consider purchasing a whole house generator to provide additional power for all of your electrical demands during blackouts. Next, we understand that you will be faced with the decision of which fuel to use to power your generator. Don't worry, the Generac natural gas generator will help us avoid the choice paradox.
Generac whole home generators with piped gas have limitless capacity during blackouts, unless there is a disruption in the fuel supply. As a result, this post will help you comprehend the notion of a Generac gas-powered whole-house generator. As a result, we shall discuss both the generator brand and natural gas as a fuel.
In addition, the concept of a natural gas generator is sometimes mistaken with that of a liquid propane generator. Following that, we shall distinguish between natural gas and liquid propane in order to better grasp how each fuel type operates. Furthermore, gas in this case report should not be mistaken with gasoline.
Natural Gas vs. Liquid Propane (LP)
Natural gas consists of methane and other gasses. The basic premise is that this type of fuel exists in gaseous form. Notably, piped gas is extremely combustible but odorless and colorless. In most situations, a sulfur odor is added to gas packaged for home and industrial consumption to aid in identification of leakages.
Unlike other fossil fuel products, gas is non-renewable and is used to replace regular motor gasoline and liquid propane for cooking, heating, and electricity. When it comes to liquid propane, it is frequently packaged in containers and is commonly mistaken for a gas. Propane is a gas, however it is commonly utilized as liquid propane.
Primarily, LP is a byproduct obtained when processing gas and refining petroleum. As a fuel intended for home backup generators, liquid propane is packaged as a liquid. However, to be utilized by a home backup generator, the LP fuel needs to be boiled or pressurized to be converted into an airy form to run a generator.
How Does Each Fuel Work?
When it comes to using home backup generators, these fuel kinds work differently. Starting with gas, it is delivered to your generator via an underground conduit regulated and metered by a local body. On the other hand, LP is stored in tanks and refilled by propane trucks.
In contrast to LP, you will have less control over gas supply and cost. This distinction is valid for all generators, including Generac home backup generator models that employ these fuel types. Before we go sidetracked, let's look at why some customers prefer a Generac natural gas generator.
Benefits of Generac Natural Gas Standby Generator
1. Gas Fuel is Cheaper
A whole-house Generac Guardian generator may run on utility gas, which is a less expensive fuel source. This comparison is made with regard to LP fuel, which is also used in its airy state. Despite regular swings in fossil fuel prices, piped gas remains cheaper.
Due to high utility levels of energy during a power outage, the piped gas bill may be larger than that of an LP whole house generator gas. For example, having a high demand for power from lighting, air conditioning, a basement sump pump, and refrigerators may result in large gas consumptions. Nonetheless, if you have a higher demand for backup power, it is best to go with the cheaper unit.
2. Lower Installation and Maintenance Costs
Local governments should ideally be in charge of gas. This concept suggests that installation and provision are carried out by the same authorities. As a result, you can have a permanent gas system established at the expense of the regulatory authorities. If you have to pay anything, it may only be for the services.
In comparison to other fuel sources such as LP or gasoline, there is an installation fee to store your fuel. As a result, unlike propane tanks, which require just occasional cleaning and repairing, the authorities maintain the gas line. So, piped gas is a more manageable fuel option.
3. No Need of Refuelling or Refilling
The fact that Generac natural gas generators don't need to be refueled is another factor in favor of them. You won't have to cope with situations when you neglect to check the fuel levels as a result. Rather, you can relax knowing that your municipality will provide you with a consistent and reliable supply of natural gas.
You can be sure that it will be available in accordance with the consistent supply of gas. A complete house backup generator's availability is crucial because power outages can happen at any time. As a result, unlike liquid propane, which is dependent on the supplier's availability, you can anticipate continuing to have your utility-supplied gas supply during blackouts.
4. Little Installation Space
Users aiming to apply gas on their respective Generac generators won't require much installation space. Considering that gas lines are already installed, you only need to tap into the line to power your generator. However, this ease is different from the close alternative of liquid propane, which will require digging in an underground tank. Therefore, gas is a more ready option with minimal installations, especially when the space is inadequate.
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So Much on Natural Gas, What About Generac as a Generator Brand?
1. Reliability
Generac home standby generators are always ready to power an entire home whenever a power outage occurs. In particular, a Generac natural gas generator is even more reliable due to the consistency of the gas supply. Once permanently installed by a professional installer, your Generac backup generator will be dependable until the electric utility authorities restore power.
Also, home backup generators like the Generac Guardian series automatically sense a loss of power and go on within seconds for a seamless transition. Accordingly, you can directly connect your Generac backup generator to your home's electrical system. Such a connection means you don't have to struggle with extension cords during an outage to power your entire home.
Furthermore, the availability of an automatic transfer switch makes your work easier whenever there is a loss of grid-line power. Most if not all Generac Power systems ensure there is a transfer switch for their products. If not the case, you can find a transfer switch sold separately.
More on the reliability of a Generac gas standby generator, it is easy to troubleshoot and maintain. Ideally, such a gas standby generator isn't complicated as a propane generator. Eventually, pairing the availability of gas with the reliability of Generac results in the ultimate standby generator.
2. Easy and Smart Use
Once the installation of your Generac home backup generator is done, you can easily program and operate it. As part of the easy application, modern Generac gas standby generators are enabled via a Mobile App for remote monitoring from anywhere in the world. Also, its Generac PWRView ATS (automatic transfer switch) makes work easy by simply turning on the generator automatically.
In addition to its transfer switch, you can use PWRview Mobile App for remote monitoring of your real-time energy consumption. This Smart feature is common with gas backup power under the Air-cooled Guardian series, which also comes with an Evolution Controller. Additionally, a homeowner can view their energy utility habits on their computer or mobile device.
As a result of the self-monitoring, you will manage energy use within your home. Also, some air-cooled gas Generac generators come with a smart power management system. Such models protect electrical circuits by switching off heavy consumers like air conditioning for power optimization with other appliances. Eventually, such Smart features ensure that your generator contains your energy costs as you monitor the best power consumption habits.
3. Operates in Any Weather
Having a Generac generator guarantees you a reliable back power option. Despite the presence of a raging storm, your natural gas Generac generator will automatically go on to supply you with the much-needed backup power. This means that even the transfer switch is shielded from externalities that might affect its availability and functionality.
Moreover, storms might knock out local road infrastructure and render local gas stations non-functional. In such cases of a grid outage, utility-supplied gas will continue, meaning your Generac generator will still run. However, gasoline/diesel might be preferable to gas and LP propane in areas with high temperatures (heat and cold). Also, it is important to know how long a Generac Generator can run continuously.
4. Power Output Options
The availability of different Generac generator power options will help you buy the power backup option to suit your appliances. Subsequently, you can go for a gas Generac generator that only powers the basic services of lighting and refrigerator or one that powers more appliances. For example, you can have a power backup that services more important circuits like freezers, sump pumps, heaters and lights. In the end, your power backup needs will dictate the generator power output you will need.
Downsides of Generac Natural Gas Home Standby Generators
Despite the highlighted benefits of a Generac gas power system, there are some reasons that may render such backup untenable after installation. Even more, there are some areas that cannot do well with a Generac gas power backup. Consequently, here are some factors that hamper the services of Generac gas generators:
- Most homeowners in areas without a natural gas line will definitely go for alternatives. The availability of gas in some areas is hampered by certain types of environmental conditions like wildfires or extremely hot temperatures. Notwithstanding the availability of natural gas in some areas, the installation permits and requirements to connect your home might discourage some users.
- Severe storms might interfere with the gas line. In such cases, you will be left helpless subject to the availability of authorities to fix the problem. Such an inconvenience can be a bummer, unlike liquid propane or gasoline/diesel, which can be available even in the absence of affected utility lines.
- LP burns cleaner than natural gas. This factor is mainly important to environmentally-conscious users. Even more, clean fuel combustion leads to an increased lifespan of a generator. Therefore, a propane-run generator will last longer than a gas model.
- Natural gas runs more noisily than LP. As such, Generac gas generators might cause noise pollution. In some cases, you can resolve such noise inconveniences by installing your generator some distance away from your house. You can also check for the best quiet generators to invest in.
Conclusion
For homeowners, a Generac natural gas generator is a great power backup. As previously discussed, generators in this category work effectively with little installation and utility issues. Furthermore, Generac's brand credibility ensures that the lights and appliances continue to function throughout an outage.
However, constructing such generators may be impossible if there is no gas line, and connecting will incur significant costs. As a result, we propose installing such units because they are inexpensive, simple to operate, and dependable during outages. In the future, governments should prioritize the installation of gas connections in more regions to allow the usage of such impact units.
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