The main rule of every purchase is to get a profit. If this is a purchase of a generator for the home, then a bargain consists of two aspects:
- Get the alternative source of electricity needed for the house;
- Save money.
After all, the first thing that catches your eye when we choose which generator is better is its price. The most primitive way is to choose a cheaper power station. But a good generator cannot be too cheap. The exception is budget options from reliable manufacturers. Some of them may be found by reading whole house generator reviews.
If you need a generator with an ideal sinusoidal current and several types of triggering (including automation), then this is not a cheap item.
As you see, profitability is a complex thing. To save on your purchase, you need to consider at least three key points:
- The price of the device;
- Frequency of use. It depends on the frequency of power outages or the need to use an alternative energy source;
- Fuel consumption.
All power generators are equipped with an internal combustion engine. Gasoline, diesel or gas are used as fuel. Which generator is better — let’s calculate together.
Calculating Profit
Gasoline generator:
- motor resources — 1,500 hours on average;
- the price ranges from $400 to $750;
- fuel consumption 350-400 g / kW×h.
At current prices for gasoline, 1 kW of your own electricity will cost 30 cents. Such a generator is better to buy if the electricity is turned off very rarely.
Diesel model:
- Motor resources 3,000 hours on average. This is two times more than gasoline. They will serve faithfully for a very long time.
- The average price is from $680 to $1,250.
- Fuel consumption — 260-300 g / kW×h.
Diesel fuel will make 1 kW of electricity cheaper — about 20-25 cents. Based on this calculation, the choice in favor of diesel generators is made very frequently which proves jons guide.
Gas model:
- Motor resources, like gasoline, have 1,500 hours on average.
- The price is 20% higher, ranging from $510 to $910.
- Fuel consumption is also 15% higher. It is 370-420 g / kW×h.
But these devices can operate both on propane-butane liquefied gas (from a cylinder) and ordinary gas. From a cylinder of 1 kW, electricity will cost about 15 cents, two times cheaper than gasoline.
Thus, their payback period is the fastest, and the fuel economy is the most tangible. Besides, the noise level is much lower, and carbon dioxide emissions — much less.
Conclusion
In the shortest possible time at an average frequency of use, gas generators will be the best options. With frequent and prolonged use, it will be advisable to get a diesel generator. If you plan to use it extremely rarely, then the cost of one kilowatt should not be the main criterion. Choose wisely and enjoy your purchase!
