Commercial and Industrial generators help businesses of many sizes power their operations regularly. Matching up the right generator to the demands and needs of a facility or jobsite can be critical. If this is your first time searching for one of these power units, there are a few learning curves to conquer. Don’t worry—the list below will help you determine how to pick the right generator for your business needs!
UNDERSTAND YOUR POWER NEEDS
Commercial and industrial generators are diverse in their designs; they’re not a one-size-fits-all type of device. A commercial generator is designed to provide back-up in the event of power outages or blackouts. They’re more comparable to a residential generator with the power they provide. On the other hand, an industrial generator is designed to withstand the demands of industrial work. They are more rugged and can hold their own in more rigorous industrial settings such as oil well sites, construction sites or chemical plants. As a result, one of the best ways to narrow down your options is to consider how the generator will be used. For instance, are you looking for prime power, to supporting critical machinery or simply a basic back-up unit for power outages? Additionally, how much power do you need to generate?
The amount of power required to support a small businesses or a large-scale construction site can differ. For this reason, you should always clarify how much power you need and how much power the unit can provide. At Zabatt Power Systems, we offer commercial and industrial generators ranging from 25kw to 2,000kw and beyond. Whether your power needs are big or small, Zabatt has a wide variety of options. At Zabatt, we perform free site consultations where we can analyze your power requirements and size your generator accordingly.
WHICH FUEL IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Besides understanding your power needs, fuel access and availability are also important. Without fuel, your generator won’t run. Supply for the location and some fuel types may be harder to obtain locally or under emergency conditions than others. Consideration of these possibilities can help you choose the right generator for most situations your business may face. The various fuel types have different requirements for storage or delivery and differ widely in cost and availability. Gasoline, Diesel, Natural Gas, and Propane make up the four more widely used fuels in modern electric power generators. The differences in these fuel types are detailed below:
Gasoline Generators-
- Gasoline is common in portable and light commercial generators that produce less than 20kw in power and should ideally be stored in a fuel tank. Gasoline is easy to find for refueling but tends to present more safety and affordability issues than any other type of fuel. Gasoline also doesn’t work in every environment and is not well suited in areas with low temperatures. Location also plays a major role in your fuel selection process. If your business utilizes the power of a commercial gas-driven generator, but your location makes delivery by truck difficult and expensive, that could present a problem during an extended outage after a natural disaster.
Diesel Generators-
- Diesel generators can meet the power requirements of industrial work, reaching up to 2 megawatts and beyond. Diesel is often chosen when the worksite is critical, requires onsite fuel storage, or for remote locations. Diesel itself is easy to find and also offers many benefits. It allows a generator longer run time, quieter and more powerful engine, incredibly reliable, and safer for the environment. Diesel should be stored in a fuel tank with limited exposure to water, air, and heat. Exposure to these elements could cause the diesel to become stagnant. Zabatt offers fuel treatment services and analysis, which should be part of your maintenance program.
Natural Gas Generators-
- Natural gas generators are efficient and cost-effective up to around 150kw, which makes them more economically feasible than other fossil fuel sources. Natural gas also produces lower emissions and is a reliable source of power supply, especially during natural disasters when power outages are the norm. Because it produces lower emissions, natural gas is not held to the same strict standards by the Environmental Protection Agency or other local authorities as diesel. Natural gas generators emit no odor and can connect directly to the natural gas pipeline requiring no on-site fuel storage.
Propane Generators-
- Propane, also know as LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), is the cleanest burning fossil fuel available. Propane generators are convenient, reliable, and cost effective. All that’s needed is an onsite storage tank and access to a road for delivery. There are many benefits to using propane as your power source. Propane’s limitless shelf life and eco-friendly abilities means it produces about half the carbon dioxide and other emissions of gasoline. Propane also burns less volume per hour than natural gas by a factor of two-to-one. This benefit allows the generator to operate more efficiently. Propane is ideal for businesses in remote areas who have no access to natural gas pipelines. For added convenience, it’s ideal to have a tank monitor installed. In the event of a snowstorm or other natural disaster, you want to make sure your tank is full just in case delivery trucks are unable to make fuel deliveries to remote locations.
REMEMBER THE ENVIRONMENT
Don’t forget to choose your generator’s location carefully because some environmental factors can hinder performance. For example, make sure your unit is in a stable place with suitable ventilation. Also take into account what weather hazards your generator will endure, from hail to snow and beyond. If you don’t optimize your generator for the environment in which it will function, the lifespan might be far from impressive. Luckily, by carefully matching the location and generator, you can ensure the surrounding area doesn’t hinder your machine’s performance over time.
If you’re unsure from a product listing whether the generator is durable enough for your environmental conditions, reach out to Zabatt to discuss your concerns.
CONSIDER THE SIZE VS. AVAILABLE SPACE
When planning how to pick the right commercial or industrial generator for your business, always remember to compare the unit’s size against your available space. In other words, will the generator fit? Although sizes will differ and many generators are quite accommodating, don’t expect your construction site to run on a pocket-sized unit anytime soon.
At Zabatt, our sales and installation teams will perform a site visit to take measurements and offer placement and size suggestions. This will ensure you make the right decision for your business needs.
CHOOSE A RELIABLE BRAND
Choosing a reliable brand is critical. Zabatt Power Systems offers industry leading brands such as Cummins, Generac, and Hipower. We’ve provided a glimpse of information below to help you better understand the foundation each brand was built on:
Cummins-
- Since 1919, Cummins has been a leader in the design and manufacture of world-class, high-performance generators. Today, Cummins’ generators are renowned for their reliability, fuel efficiency, and low emissions. Cummins’ work contributes greatly to a safer, greener world, and its commitment to environmental leadership and workforce development is admirable.
Generac-
- Founded in 1959, Generac was the first to engineer standby generators. Now, Generac manufactures the widest range of power products including portable, residential, commercial and industrial generators. Generac products are built for a variety of industries with the most demanding environments. Generac’s commitment to sustainability is implemented with a goal to minimize their environmental impact by reducing the amount of materials used and emissions produced.
Hipower-
- Founded in 1982 in southeast Spain, Hipower offered power generation solutions to fit the clean and energy efficient needs of its consumers. Today, Hipower has expanded their presence to more than 100 countries across five continents. Hipowers continued commitment to the environment allows their complete product range to offer maximum efficiency for any consumers needs.
Now that you’ve learned more about the important factors of how to size up your business needs, let Zabatt Powers Systems take care of the rest! Contact us today for a resolution to your power solution needs!