Is a portable generator inadequate for your house needs? Instead, try a whole house generator for more power to run all your electrical house needs whenever there are blackouts. Next, we know you will have the dilemma of which fuel type to run your generator. Not to worry, let's avoid the paradox of choice with the Generac natural gas generator.
Using piped gas for Generac whole house generators comes with unlimited capacity during outages, not unless the fuel supply is disrupted. As such, this post will help you understand the concept of a Generac whole house generator that runs on gas. Therefore, we will cover aspects on the generator brand itself and natural gas as a fuel.
Also, the idea of a Natural gas generator can often be confused with the concept of a liquid propane generator. Subsequently, we will distinguish natural gas from liquid propane as we seek to understand how each fuel type works. Even more, gas in this case write-up should not be confused with gasoline.
Natural Gas vs. Liquid Propane (LP)
Natural gas is a mixture of methane and other gases. The main idea is that this type of fuel occurs in gas form. Notably, piped gas is highly flammable but odorless and colorless. In most cases, some sulfur odor is added to the gas packaged for domestic and industrial uses for easy detection in case of leakages.
Unlike other fossil fuel products, gas is non-renewable, which is substituted for ordinary automotive fuel and liquid propane for cooking, heating and electricity. Speaking of liquid propane, it often comes in containers and is often perceived to be in gas form. Propane itself is a gas but it is often used 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?
Concerning their use in home backup generators, these fuel types differ in how they fire up generators. Starting with gas, it is supplied to your generator using an underground pipeline regulated and metered by a local jurisdiction. On the other hand, LP is stored in tanks and refilled using propane trucks.
Therefore, you will have less control over the supply and cost of gas, unlike the case of LP. This distinction applies to all generators, including Generac home backup generator models that use these fuel types. Before we lose sight of the current subject, let's understand why some users prefer a Generac natural gas generator.
Benefits of Generac Natural Gas Standby Generator
1. Gas Fuel is Cheaper
Utility-supplied gas is a cheaper fuel option for a whole house Generac Guardian generator. This comparison is drawn with respect to LP fuel which is also used in its airy form. Despite the frequent fossil fuel price fluctuations, piped gas remains to be cheaper.
However, the piped gas bill might read higher than an LP whole house generator gas due to high utility levels of electricity during a power outage. For instance, having many electricity demands from the lighting, air conditioning, basement sump pump and refrigeration might lead to huge consumptions of gas. Nonetheless, if you have a higher demand for backup power, it is only prudent to go for the cheaper unit.
2. Lower Installation and Maintenance Costs
Ideally, gas is left to the domain of local governments. This premise implies that the same authorities make the installation and provision. Therefore, you can have a gas system permanently installed at the expense of regulating authorities. If you have to pay anything, it might just be for the services.
Compared to other fuel options like LP or gasoline, you have to incur the installation cost to store your fuel. Subsequently, the authorities do the maintenance of a gas line, unlike the occasional cleaning and servicing required for propane tanks. So see, piped gas is an easier-to-handle fuel option.
3. No Need of Refuelling or Refilling
Another reason to prefer a Generac natural gas generator is the refueling non-requirement. As such, you don't have to deal with instances of forgetting to check the fuel levels. Instead, you can rest easy knowing that you will have a constant and steady natural gas supply from your township.
In line with the steady supply of gas, you can confidently its availability of reliable. Availability is key to a whole house backup generator since power outages are highly unpredictable. Consequently, you can expect to still have your utility-supplied gas supply during blackouts, unlike liquid propane, which depends on the supplier's availability.
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
A Generac natural gas generator is an excellent power backup for homeowners. As comprehensively covered, generators in this category operate efficiently with minimal installation and utility difficulties. Moreover, the credibility of Generac as a brand will ensure the lights and appliances still function during an outage.
However, installing such generators might be untenable if there is no gas line or connecting you will incur hefty costs. Therefore, we recommend the installation of such units on account of affordability, ease of use and reliability during outages. In the future, jurisdictions should focus on the installation of gas lines in more areas to enable the use of such effects units.
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