Gas Gensets vs. Diesel Gensets

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