Portable Generator For Sale

Is a natural gas generator a good emergency power idea?

I have been thinking of buying a nat gas generator for emergency use. But I wonder if the pumping stations that pump natural gas would go down during an electrical outage. If they do a natural gas generator wouldn't do me much good? Is this true? Also can you think of other advantages and disadvantages to a gas or diesel generator?

Public Comments

1. It depends on why you lose power. If it is a local problem that just affects your neighborhood that problem is not likely to affect the natural gas supply. A wide-spread disaster like a hurricane will knock out power to the natural gas pumps, and and the pumps for gasoline or diesel fuel at the service stations in your area. You may or may not be able to drive far enough to find a supply of liquid fuel for your vehicle and your generator if the damage is very wide spread. Others will be doing the same thing.
2. Natural gas is one of the most dependable energy supplies you can have. Almost all natural gas compressors use natural gas fueled engines as drivers and therefore are not subject to shut due to power failures. It is the fuel of choice if I were to have an emergency generator at my house or business. A big plus for natural gas is the lack of any need for storage on site. There is no gasoline, diesel or propane storage tank taking up space in your yard and looking ugly.
3. City gas usually does not go down during power outages. Natural gas generators start easily and do not require oil changes for thousands of hours. You don't have a local law telling you how to store Diesel or having it go to gel in cold weather.
4. I am a senior generator tech. In over 35 years in the business I have not seen generators loose the natural gas fuel source due to hurricanes etc. I have lived and worked through many here in the gulf coast. You do loose your fuel source due to ruptures in the lines by heavy equip. etc. Diesel and gasoline generators are typically nosierr than Natural gas or propane generators. Diesel generator are much more expensive than gaseous generators. Many people die every year from the fumes of portable gasoline generators. Remember when buying a generator and tranfer switch consult a licenced electrician and plumber. Natural gas is very reliable, I ran on my Generac natural gas generator for 15 days following hurricane Ike. Started automatically and shut off automatically, ( the biggest plus with standbye power you dont have to be home.) There is a cost of course, a 7 to 10 kw (ballpark) costs $30.00 a day. 20 to 45 kw $60.00 to $100.00 a day. Sounds high but still cheaper than a hotel room if you can find one. The oil should be checked at least every three days and the oil changed if possible every 200 hours. Hope this was some help.