A commercial generator is available in a wide range of types, brands, and sizes. Buying the correct generator means knowing the basic power requirements to run a business.
The steps needed to buy a commercial generator are like those needed to buy a residential generator. But a business has greater electric needs that every buyer should know. There are certain factors to consider for buying the correct type and size of commercial generator.
Power Requirements
We start by selecting the power requirements in kW for a commercial building. The generator must be designed to circulate enough kilowatts of power throughout the building.
We determine the number using two methods:
Utility Bill Costs
The first step is to review the energy usage amounts on a monthly utility bill. This statement contains information about the amounts of energy used per month, the rates, units, rates, and costs. Also included are the highest, lowest, and average energy demands for the past year.
This bill lists the highest number of watts used in the past 12 months. Once the peak wattage is known, the next step is to calculate 25 percent of that amount to determine the reserve power. The reserve power wattage should be added to the total wattage to estimate the size that is needed for the commercial generator.
Square Footage Method
A second method is to calculate the square footage of the business and apply the following formula:
50 kilowatts + 5 watts per square foot
This calculation provides an estimate of the correct size of the generator.
Type of Fuel
The type of fuel affects the efficiency of a commercial generator. The four main types of fuel used are diesel, gasoline, propane, and natural gas.
Diesel is recommended for use in heavy-duty commercial generators that exceed 150kW requirements. Natural gas generators are less durable, more likely to break down and more expensive to maintain; however, they are more cost efficient to run than diesel and gasoline machinery. Each commercial application of a generator system may require a certain fuel type based on its particular application therefore its best to get a site evaluation to determine which fuel type system would work best.
Operating Time
The operating time is the third factor to consider in a generator. A diesel and natural gas generator can run nonstop for 24 hours or longer without interruptions, therefore these types of fuels are recommended. It is recommended for extended periods of operation. A gasoline generator can run for 10 hours nonstop but needs to be shut down for several hours. This generator is suitable for occasional uses, such as a couple of hours a month.
A gasoline generator is an ideal form of backup power when the main power shuts off during a blackout. For an alternate power source, however, the more suitable choice is a diesel generator.
Weekley Electric, LLC of Newark, Ohio has a variety of Generac generators available. If you are in the need of a commercial or residential Generac generator in Newark, Heath, or Columbus, Ohio, we invite you to contact us today to discuss you needs.