What’s the Difference Between Gasoline and Natural Gas Generators?

Is your home prepared to weather a power outage?

According to recent reports from NPR, more homeowners are waking up to this concern with sales of home generators on the rise. , according to recent reports from NPR. Extreme weather, wildfires, and mass outages are just some of the concerns that necessitate the need for backup generators. Increasing anxiety about older energy grids is also informing consumers’ decisions to invest in standby generators.

The next step is to take action. Which is the right gas generator for your home?

Let’s take a closer look at the similarities, differences, and advantages of gasoline-powered generators versus those powered by natural gas.

What Is the Difference Between Gasoline and Natural Gas?

Gasoline and natural gas may be confused for the same fuel. However, there are notable differences. Both may be used to power backup generators, with experts highly recommending natural gas.

Gasoline is a type of liquid fuel made from crude oil, a fossil fuel. This fuel is a mix of hydrocarbons, oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen.

The source of fossil fuels are buried organic remains of plants and organisms from the prehistoric era; these sources are typically extracted from silt, mud, and rock. Years of pressure and heat within these layers naturally produce a substance known as crude oil.

The hydrocarbons in regular gas are heavier than those found in natural gas mixtures. The primary chemical in natural gas is methane, an odorless and colorless gas. In its physical state, regular gas is a liquid while natural gas remains in its form.

Gasoline is typically associated with powering cars and other vehicles while natural gas is regularly used to power major home appliances like HVAC systems and backup generators — however, many commercial generators run on diesel fuel.

What Is Natural Gas? (How Is It Made?)

Natural gas is a naturally formed methane-based gas that is colorless and odorless. It also contains water vapor and carbon dioxide. According to recent estimates from the Department of Energy, natural gas accounts for approximately 30% of all energy consumed in the United States.

Like fossil fuels, natural gas is formed over millions of years through the heat and pressure between rocks, turning prehistoric organic matter into a methane-based natural gas. Technically, natural gas is a type of fossil fuel but only comes in gas form. Natural gas is extracted through sandstone drilling and other shale extraction methods.

How Do Natural Gas Power Backup Generators Work?

Natural gas is the preferred power source for home backup generators since it’s considered a more clean-burning fuel than liquid fuels such as diesel. A fuel is considered “clean-burning” if it contributes to less emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and sulfur into the environment.

All natural gas backup generators require these minimum features:

• Fuel intake mechanism
• Natural gas fuel injection process
• Ignition device
• Compression feature
• Power generation

The fuel intake process starts when the combustion chamber draws in air. Next, an injection device injects the natural gas into the chamber with the air. The natural gas and air create a fuel mixture; this mixture is compressed thereby increasing its pressure and temperature.

The generator’s spark plug ignites the compressed natural gas and air mixture to facilitate a controlled explosion. This controlled explosion naturally pushes the generator’s piston down which turns a crankshaft in the generator. The crankshaft is designed to spin the rotary and create an electrical current that powers the generator.

How to Choose a Gas Generator

Understanding how a natural gas generator works helps in choosing the right backup generator for your home. Take a look at the various brands offering gas generators.

A&A GenPro carries the following gas-powered generators:

• Generac
• Cummins
• Briggs & Stratton
• Kohler

If you’re looking for a Diesel-powered generator, Cummins is a reputable and recognized gas-powered generator currently on the market. This generator type is popular among commercial business owners.

If you’re looking for a backup generator for your home, you may want to consider a Kohler-brand generator powered by natural gas. This brand is known for its high-quality voltage regulation which produces lower levels of harmonic distortion, protecting your SMART appliances. They’re reliable during power outages and include remote monitoring, allowing owners to monitor their generators away from home.

Discover which size generator you need before settling on a brand and model. You’ll need to calculate the total wattage necessary for your size home. A home generator professional is helpful here; they have the expertise to accurately determine the right generator size and install your generator properly.

If you want to estimate the wattage yourself, add the wattage requirements for all the appliances in your home. Include the highest starting watt numbers. Wattage requirements are also found in appliance manuals and specs.

Consider noise levels when buying a gas generator. Commercial diesel generators tend to be louder, however, Cummins does offer generators with lower noise levels. Home generator buyers can find plenty of residential generators with lower noise levels through the A&A GenPro shop.

Tips for Maintaining a Gas Generator For Your Home

Maintaining your gas generator will improve the functionality and longevity of your appliance. Start by regularly checking fuel and oil levels. Features like spark plugs, air filters, and crankcase breathers require routine cleaning.

You’ll need to check coolant levels to make sure there is proper condensation. Routine load bank tests determine whether the generator can handle full power. The generator’s battery must be checked and replaced if the generator is overworking itself.

Remember to run your gas-powered generator periodically even if it’s not in use. It’s important to know if it’s working properly at all times.

Discover the Benefits of Gasoline and Natural Gas Generators

Investing in a gas generator for your home is a wise decision. You never know when a power outage or strong storm may hit your area or a strong storm. Keep the above guide in mind while navigating the gas generator buying and installation process.

Our founders and team of experts are committed to providing and installing only the best power generators for the Houston community. We understand the needs our community faces when massive hurricanes strike.

Contact us today to learn more about our generator selection or request a quote to start your installation.