Choosing the Right Natural Gas Generator for Your Needs

Don’t you want to keep the power on when the electricity goes off?

Power outages are becoming more frequent and severe. In fact, average outage hours increased by 38% between 2023 and 2024 in the United States.

You’ll find natural gas generators for sale are only growing as people become more interested in what they have to offer in terms of clean energy and convenience. The global market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.4% over the next few years, hitting revenue figures in the billions.

With more manufacturers and models available, there’s more competition and choice than ever before.

The only thing that remains difficult is how to choose the right one for your home or business.

Here are some of the topics we’ll be covering:

• Natural gas generator basics
• Why natural gas generators are better than the alternatives
• How to size your generator correctly
• Top features to look for in natural gas generators
• Installation & maintenance tips

Natural Gas Generator Basics

If you’re new to the whole idea of natural gas generators, then let us break down the topic for you.

Essentially, these generators use natural gas as fuel to produce electricity. It’s as simple as that.

The way these natural gas generators work is by burning the fuel to power an engine. This engine drives an alternator which, in turn, produces electricity. Some of these natural gas generators can run from a residential or commercial natural gas line, while others use propane tanks as fuel.

This explosion of market interest and investments is not by chance. People are more aware of the need for backup power.

Here’s a fact to support this claim:

Approximately one in four households in the United States had experienced a power outage in the past 12 months as of 2024.

This means that up to 100 million people in the country alone were left without electricity, damaged food items in their fridges, and power outages which can put the lives of their loved ones in danger.

Don’t you want to be one of the lucky ones with backup power when disaster strikes?

Why Natural Gas Generators Are Better Than The Alternatives

Diesel, gasoline, and natural gas are all viable sources of fuel. However, natural gas has several benefits over the other fuel types.

Cost is one of the major benefits

Natural gas is typically cheaper than diesel and gasoline, resulting in lower fuel costs for the generator owner over time. Additionally, natural gas prices tend to be more stable than other fuel sources.

Natural gas generators are also more convenient to use.

The units connect to your natural gas line. That means you do not have to worry about refilling fuel tanks during a power outage. It just works.

Finally, natural gas burns more cleanly than diesel and gasoline.

As such, natural gas generators produce fewer emissions and less pollution, reducing your environmental impact. Diesel generators face more regulatory restrictions in certain areas due to their emissions profile.

How to Size Your Generator Correctly

This is one area where many people fail.

Calculating your total power needs before purchasing a generator is essential. Otherwise, you risk getting a unit that’s too small or too big and expensive to run regularly.

Make a list of the devices you want to power with your generator during an outage, including appliances, heating or cooling systems, lights, medical equipment, and other essentials.

Each device has a wattage rating. Add all the wattage requirements for your desired devices to get a total load number. Then, add 20% to the total to account for power surges.

For most homes, a generator between 5,000 and 20,000 watts should be enough. Businesses typically require bigger generators, depending on their energy demands. Smaller businesses may need generators of 20,000 to 60,000 watts, while industrial operations need larger units of 60,000 watts and above.

Some appliances have a higher wattage requirement during start-up than when they’re running. A central air conditioner might need 3,000 watts to turn on but only 1,500 watts to run, for example.

Always factor this into your calculations.

Features You Actually Need on Your Natural Gas Generator

Features and options are available on all types of generators for home or business use. However, not all are equally necessary.

Some are must-haves. Others are optional and can quickly drive up the price of your unit without really adding much value.

Automatic Transfer Switch

Automatic transfer switches are a must-have for home use. These devices automatically switch your electrical load from the grid to your generator during an outage.

No need to manually start the generator or flip circuit breakers.

It’s worth every penny for the convenience and peace of mind.

Weather-Resistant Enclosure

If you’re going to keep your generator outside (you will), it needs to be able to withstand the elements. A quality weather-resistant enclosure is a must.

Rain, snow, heat, cold — it should all be taken care of without worrying about your generator.

Remote Monitoring

Remote monitoring capabilities are a nice-to-have but not strictly necessary feature for home use.

Remote monitoring allows you to check the status of your generator, run diagnostics, and receive alerts on your smartphone. It’s convenient and can come in handy, especially for businesses.

Fuel Efficiency

This is one feature that should always be a top priority. Look for natural gas generators with good fuel efficiency ratings.

The higher the fuel efficiency, the lower your operating costs will be in the long run. Some generators also come with adjustable engine speeds based on the electrical load, which can increase fuel economy by 30% or more.

Installation and Maintenance Tips

We all want a natural gas generator to work and run smoothly when we need it the most, right?

To ensure this happens, the generator must be installed correctly and maintained regularly. The only safe and correct way to install a natural gas generator is through a professional.

It’s a hands-off job unless you are a certified electrician and plumber. Gas connections must also have the required permits and inspection.

Professional installation typically involves:

• Pouring a concrete pad for the generator
• Running natural gas lines
• Installing an automatic transfer switch
• Wiring the circuits
• Testing the system

Installation can cost between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on your setup.

Maintenance is also critical in keeping your generator running correctly. Most manufacturers recommend the following:

• Weekly exercise runs (automatic on some models)
• Oil changes every 100-200 hours of operation
• Air filter changes annually
• Spark plug replacement every 1-2 years
• Annual professional inspection

Neglect these, and you’ll have an expensive paperweight the next time the power goes out.

Bottom Line

Choosing the right natural gas generator for your home or business is all about understanding your specific needs and doing your research.

Know your power requirements, don’t oversize, and make sure to get a unit with the features you need. Professional installation is non-negotiable for safety and reliability reasons.

It can be a lot of money to spend upfront, but consider the benefits of having backup power when you need it most. When your lights stay on during a blackout, your business can continue operating when everyone else is closed, and your family is comfortable, safe, and warm.

A natural gas generator is a wise investment, and you’ll thank yourself the next time there’s an outage.

Natural gas offers the perfect combination of convenience, reliability, and clean energy. With the market growing and technology improving, there’s never been a better time to make the switch.

Don’t wait until the next power outage to start shopping, or it will be too late.