Gas Gensets vs. Diesel Gensets

Diesel Gensets or Gas Gensets for Home Standby?

There are benefits and challenges to both Diesel Gensets and Gas Gensets. However, your choice will depend largely on your application and what fuels you can have delivered to your location. Here are some important considerations:

Gas Gensets

Our Gas Gensets run on petroleum vapor products. Gasoline is not an option. Gas options are natural gas, propane, and biogas.  Some units can also be retrofitted to run on propane in its liquid state which improves cold weather performance.

Gas gensets in the typical home power range (8-25kW) are powered by automotive-based engines which have been converted to run on gaseous fuels. These units are relatively simple for a homeowner to maintain and the initial cost is usually a bit lower. The fuel also either requires no storage (natural gas) or easy long-term storage (propane).

     Advantages
     Quieter operation
     No storage required for natural gas
     Long term storage capability with propane
     Less expensive to maintain
     Lower emission levels
     Acceptable service life in normal standby applications – 100-500 hours per year of use

     Disadvantages
     More flammable fuel
     Supply can be cut off (natural gas)
     Less fuel efficient
     Derate more for altitude and ambient temperatures
     Cannot accept full rated capacity in a single step (block load)

Diesel Gensets

Our Diesel Gensets require #2 diesel fuel or a blend of biodiesel up to 20% (B20) from a high quality provider of fuel that meets all applicable quality standards. Click here for more information on biodiesel standards.

Diesel gensets in this power range are more heavy-duty than their gas counterparts. Basic maintenance may still be within the capabilities of a mechanically-inclined homeowner, but they are more complicated and parts are more expensive.

     Advantages
     Heavy-duty design typically allows for longer life if unit will be run more than 1,000 hours per year
     Better fuel efficiency
     Runs cooler
     Fuel is readily available, even in rural areas
     Stable, safe fuel to store
     Units' single step load acceptance (block load) is in compliance with NFPA110
     Generally do not derate as much for higher altitude and ambient conditions

     Disadvantages
     Noisier (~20%)
     Higher Emissions (but still typically compliant with EPA regulations)
     Higher maintenance cost
     More specialized training and tooling required to perform maintenance