Do unexpected power outages keep interrupting your business activities?
Businesses may face thousands in losses from power failures due to reduced productivity and damaged equipment plus spoiled inventory. The appropriate backup power system will enable your business operations to continue without disruption during grid failures.
Natural gas generators stand as the preferred backup power solution for today’s business operations. Natural gas generators provide both cleaner emissions and improved fuel efficiency along with extended operating durations when compared to standard diesel generators.
This guide provides all the essential details you require to choose the best natural gas generator for your business requirements.
What You’ll Discover
- Why Natural Gas Generators Are Ideal for Business Use
- Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Generator
- Sizing Your Generator Correctly
- Installation Requirements and Considerations
- Maintenance Tips for Generator Life
Why Natural Gas Generators Are Ideal for Business Use
The natural gas generator market is experiencing rapid growth because it has substantial benefits. The remarkable expansion of this market demonstrates the growing need for dependable and efficient power systems.
But what makes natural gas generators stand out from other options? Let’s break down the key advantages:
Cleaner Emissions Profile
Natural gas combustion results in cleaner output than diesel or gasoline by producing:
- Lower carbon dioxide emissions
- Virtually no particulate matter
- Reduced nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide
Natural gas generators offer an environmentally friendly alternative for businesses seeking to minimize their carbon footprint while meeting rigorous emission standards.
Fuel Availability and Reliability
Natural gas features a delivery system that stands as one of its greatest advantages. Your business location in a region equipped with natural gas infrastructure ensures access to:
- Continuous fuel supply through existing pipelines
- No need for on-site fuel storage
- No risk of fuel degradation issues
- No refueling logistics during extended outages
Cost-Effective Operation
The price of natural gas has stayed stable compared to diesel prices following the shale gas revolution. Natural gas generators have surpassed diesel generators in popularity throughout the U.S. as of 2024 due to their reduced emissions and improved operational efficiency.
Quieter Operation
Because natural gas generators run more quietly than diesel units they become the preferred choice for:
- Urban business locations
- Facilities in noise-restricted zones
- Applications where customer comfort is important
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Generator
Selecting the appropriate natural gas generator requires more than choosing the highest power output model. Several critical factors should guide your decision:
Primary vs. Standby Power Needs
First, determine whether you need:
- Standby power: This generator starts automatically during power outages and usually operates for a restricted number of hours each year.
- Prime power: Built to operate for thousands of hours annually this generator provides continuous power generation as its primary function.
Power Quality Requirements
Different businesses have different power quality needs:
- Medical facilities need power sources that maintain extremely high levels of cleanliness and stability.
- Sensitive equipment in data centers requires power sources that can deliver perfect sine wave output.
- Generators used in manufacturing operations should have sufficient power to manage the starting loads of motors.
Generator Size and Output
Sizing your generator correctly is absolutely crucial. Selecting a generator that is too small creates a hazard where damage can occur to both the generator itself and the connected equipment. Exceeding the needed capacity of your generator will lead to money waste through unnecessary power resources.
A proper sizing calculation should account for:
- Motors and compressors demand between 3 and 6 times their running power for starting operations.
- Identifying which equipment needs to keep operating during power failures separates critical from non-critical loads.
- Business growth projections and subsequent power needs must be integrated into future expansion plans.
- Environmental elements like altitude and temperature reduce generator power output.
Cummins leads the industry with new 175 kW and 200 kW natural gas generator sets designed for efficiency and sustainability to meet current market needs.
Sizing Your Generator Correctly
Businesses frequently make the mistake of not fully assessing their power requirements. We will now go through the steps necessary to accurately determine your power requirements.
Step 1: Inventory Your Power Loads
Compile a list of all electrical equipment that needs to stay operational during a power outage. For each item, note:
- Running wattage
- Starting wattage (if applicable)
- Whether it’s critical for operations
Step 2: Calculate Total Power Requirements
Add up your loads using this formula:
- Sum all continuous running loads
- Identify the largest starting load
- The largest starting load needs to be added to the sum of running loads.
- Add 20% margin for future expansion
Step 3: Convert to Generator Size
Your total kilowatt requirement must be converted to generator size while considering efficiency, power factor and environmental derating.
- Generator efficiency (typically 80-90%)
- Power factor (typically 0.8)
- Altitude and temperature derating
The need for dependable power during frequent outages and environmental mandates that support cleaner energy options drive businesses to adopt correctly sized natural gas generators.
Installation Requirements and Considerations
Both proper installation practices and generator selection carry the same level of importance. Here are the key considerations:
Location and Placement
Your generator location should balance:
- The closer your generator installation site is to utility connections the lower the installation cost will be.
- Select a generator location that avoids noisy areas to prevent disruption.
- Both proper ventilation and safe routing are essential components of exhaust management.
- The generator setup needs to be safeguarded against unauthorized access yet remain available for maintenance work.
Transfer Switch Options
Your building’s electrical system connects to the generator through a critical transfer switch which ensures safety during operation.
- Manual transfer switches represent the most economical option yet necessitate physical operation by a person.
- The automatic transfer switch (ATS) initiates generator operation when it detects power outages.
- The bypass isolation switch enables maintenance activities to proceed without any power disruption.
The automatic transfer switch represents a valuable investment for the majority of businesses. The United States stands out as a leading force in the natural gas generator market through substantial infrastructure investments and government policies that favor cleaner energy alternatives including automated systems.
Maintenance Essentials
Because a natural gas generator requires a substantial investment, owners must perform proper maintenance to safeguard their investment. Your maintenance program should include:
- Weekly tests: Brief no-load tests to ensure readiness
- Oil and filter changes: Critical for engine longevity
- Coolant checks and replacement: Prevents overheating
- Spark plug inspection/replacement: Ensures reliable starting
- Battery maintenance: Power for starting and controls
The growing need for reliable power during frequent outages makes regular maintenance crucial as demand for natural gas generators increases.
The Bottom Line
Businesses benefit from natural gas generators through dependable backup power which costs less and emits fewer pollutants compared to diesel generators. The natural gas generator market reached a value of $9.74 billion in 2024 with expectations of 11.4% annual growth.
Choosing the correct generator size is critical because undersizing represents the most frequent and expensive error in generator selection. Before operating any natural gas generator you need to meet all installation requirements including obtaining permits and adhering to local regulations.
This guide will provide you with the knowledge needed to choose the ideal natural gas generator for your business operations to remain uninterrupted during power outages.
