subject: Natural Gas Generator Pros And Cons [print this page] With the many types of generators on the market it can be easy to get bogged down with the technicalities. Which generators are best for small spaces? Which ones are the quietest? Which ones offer the best efficiency? This article will break down the pros and cons of one of the most common types of generators, the natural gas generator.
Pros
-The noise level of natural gas generators is much lower than that of diesel or gas generators. This makes them great for home or residential use in neighborhoods where a noisy generator would be obnoxious. Imagine a power outage in your neighborhood but your house is still lit with the refrigerator running and you and your neighbors can still sleep peacefully.
-Getting fuel for a natural gas generator can be as simple as attaching it to a gas line if one is available. If not, large tanks can be installed that can store lots of fuel for long periods of time. This is an added bonus to gas, or even diesel, generators where gas can spoil in unused. Nothing is worse than trying to run your generator when you really need it only to find the fuel has gone bad and youre stranded. Natural gas can help you avoid those harrowing situations, especially if your generator will be sitting for long periods of time between uses.
- We all know the pain of filling up the car when its hit E again, now imagine doing that with hundreds of gallons for a generator. Fuel for natural gas generators is also much cheaper than diesel, gas, or even electricity. This makes it an excellent source for off the grid living, provided a source for fuel can be maintained.
-Everybody loves helping the environment, and while natural gas generators still produce greenhouse gases they do so at a much lower rate. About 30% less than oil based fuels actually. This is due to the fact that natural gas burns much cleaner than oil based fuels. Because natural gas is just that, a gas, it will rise into the air if there is a leak. This means you can easily vent around the generator for added safety.
Cons
-Natural gas generators will become bogged down due to being overloaded easier than other generators. This can be an issue for larger residences or businesses that rely on them for backup or everyday use.
-Natural gas generators are by and large fixed pieces, meaning that once there installed there they will be. Even if you were to move them, transported the fuel for one can be a pain since they are in heavy metal canisters designed to hold the gas.
-That is assuming youll find a small natural gas generator. They tend to be larger than other generators rated to the same specs, meaning if youre strapped for space you may want to look elsewhere.
As with anything, it boils down to what will do the best job for you. For some people this might be a natural gas generators.
