Natural Gas or Propane Standby Generators: Which is Better
Natural gas and propane are among the two most common fuel sources for standby home generators. Many homeowners wonder which type is best. The decision, however, often boils down to some very specific circumstances at a particular home.
Delivery Method
The big difference is that gas for home use comes through utility-grade lines. This is a major advantage of natural gas in most parts of the U.S. because it is a common fuel for home heating and cooking. The problem here in Southwestern Florida, though, is that only 16% of households use natural gas. That compares to a 61% usage rate nationwide.
Propane requires a storage tank and periodic refueling shipments. Notably, it doesn’t suffer significant fuel degradation in storage, unlike some less desirable options like gasoline. The typical residential tank provides 250 to 1,000 gallons of storage.
Power Capacity
The power-generating capacity of a gas generator is basically the same as that of a propane system. Standard options for residential use range from 8,000 to 22,000 watts of capacity. The big difference is that a gas line into a house provides effectively infinite run time, while a tank needs to be topped off.
The good news for propane users is that a 500-gallon tank can generate 5-7 days of continuous use. The bad news is that post-hurricane conditions in Florida, especially following historically severe storms, may require significantly more run time than that. Deliveries can be tough to come by, especially in the early days after a storm when infrastructure is still recovering.
Energy Efficiency
Propane generates about 2,500 BTUs per cubic foot, compared to about 1,000 BTUs per cubic foot for natural gas. This makes it significantly more energy-rich per unit than natural gas. However, both fuels are radically cleaner options than alternatives like diesel and gasoline.
Costs
Gas is cheaper per cubic foot, usually costing about 40% less. The delivery logistics for propane incur some costs, too, but bulk buying often allows you to chip a bit off the price.
The installation of gas lines is close to zero if a house already has gas service. In this part of Florida, gas is much more common in newer developments. At an older property, you may have to spend thousands of dollars to have the utility company connect your home to a natural gas line. Conversely, a tank installation runs about $1,500-$3,000, making it cheaper in upfront costs when a house starts with neither fuel option.
Both types of generator installations run at about the same cost. You can expect a professional generator installation to run in the single-digit thousands of dollars, with the price varying significantly based on desired capacity. There will also be additional costs for professional plumbing to connect either the gas line or the tank to the generator.
Availability and Reliability
Like all forms of utility infrastructure, gas lines do face some risks in Florida’s storm-prone environment. The limited general availability in Fort Myers also makes availability a challenge. Overall, these lines are highly reliable when available.
Propane shipments are available to nearly all locations in the region, including many smaller islands and rural locations. On-site storage makes it very reliable, but you do need to take steps to protect the tank. This includes installing a concrete block to keep it above potential storm surge levels. You also need to anchor the tank properly to withstand hurricane-force winds.
Safety
A major selling point for both fuel systems is that they are significantly safer than common alternatives. Particularly, using a portable diesel or gasoline generator can be very dangerous. Both gasoline and diesel produce dangerous levels of exhaust gases during combustion, such as:
- Carbon monoxide
- Sulfur dioxide
- Sooty particulate matter
- Multiple chemical carcinogens
Worse, it can be difficult to properly vent a portable generator’s exhaust. This means fumes can get into your house if the wind blows the wrong way.
Standby generators sit a safe distance from a home. The exhaust is notably less hazardous than anything that comes out of a diesel or gasoline system. You can also route the exhaust safely above your home’s roofline.
Maintenance Requirements
The maintenance requirements for both kinds of generators are almost exactly the same. They typically require occasional oil and filter changes. Some moving parts require grease. An annual inspection before hurricane season is also a good idea. Our electricians can verify that the electrical panel connection is still in good shape. Likewise, we can check the condition of the generator and related wiring.
One notable difference is that a tank requires additional maintenance. However, propane keeps almost indefinitely with fuel stabilizers. You do need to pay attention to tank corrosion. An above-ground tank sufficient to support a whole-house standby generator needs to be steel to hold up to internal pressure. Fiberglass options are available for in-ground use, but local conditions in Southwestern Florida may make this a challenging solution.
Choosing Between the Two
The choice of fuel source for a standby generator often makes itself when you live in Florida. If your house has natural gas access, we generally recommend using it to power your generator. However, the low rate of natural gas availability and the high upfront cost of a utility connection mean lots of local homeowners elect to use a tanked system.
In terms of functionality, the two options are fundamentally the same. The standby generators of both types work in a similar fashion, using the same technologies for connecting to your home’s electrical system. They also each provide the same range of wattage capacity options.
Get Ready with a Standby Generator
Many of your friends and neighbors in Fort Myers, FL, and the surrounding areas already use standby generators installed by electricians from Mister Sparky. We are a local business that treats our customers like neighbors because they are. When you schedule an electrician with us, they show up on time, every time. Our electricians are licensed and certified, and they undergo continuing education to keep up with everything from new codes to advanced technologies.
If you’re ready to add a standby generator to your Fort Myers home, we are fully prepared to do the installation. Don’t put up with any malarkey, call Mister Sparky.
