How Much Natural Gas Does a Generac Generator Use?

Why is a Generac natural gas generator preferred by eight out of every ten homeowners who are prepared for a power outage? These whole-home backup generators have some of the most efficient fuel-consumption rates around.

In the past, homeowners had to rely on diesel to fuel their generators. Not only was this less environmentally friendly, but it also burned faster and produced limited energy.

Generac generators rely on propane and natural gas. The question is, how much does the Generac generator use and what are the associated costs?

Read on to learn more about natural gas use when using a Generac natural gas generator.

Factors that Impact Generac Gas Consumption

Having a natural gas generator is one of the best things you can do to prepare for a power outage. However, it’s important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how much natural gas it will use. Let’s take a look at the key factors that will impact Generac gas consumption in your household. 

Generator Size

Generac generators come in a variety of sizes to meet the needs of different households. The size of a generator is measured in the kilowatts (kW) of energy it can produce. Generac generators are available in 7 kW, 10 kW, 16 kW, 20 kW, 22 kW, and 30+ kW. 

Most households go for the 20 kW or 22 kW Generac natural gas generator because they are capable of powering the full home as needed. Typically, the larger the Generac generator, the more fuel efficient. The best way to determine what size generator you need for your home is to talk to a professional generator installer.  

Fuel Type

Another major appeal of the Generac generator is that it can run on either natural gas or propane. If you’re using natural gas to power your generator, you’ll hook it up directly to your home’s gas meter. If you’re using propane, you’ll hook it up to a line that connects to a propane tank.

A 22 kW Generac generator uses about 281 cubic feet of natural gas per hour when running at full power output. That same size generator will use about 3.67 gallons of propane per hour when running at full power output.

There are pros and cons to both fuels types. Propane is a much more efficient fuel for your home generator, meaning that you’ll use less fuel to generate the same amount of energy. However, natural gas is more affordable than propane.

Power Output

When you’re using your Generac generator, you have a few options regarding power output. While you can turn it on full-blast, you can also opt to run it at about 50% power output, which is often enough to provide power to individual appliances so long as they aren’t all in use at once.

In fact, we often recommend using your Generac generator at below full power as much as possible. This can help to preserve fuel and puts less stress on the generator’s internal mechanisms.

Costs Associated with a Generac Natural Gas Generator

Now that you know more about what can impact the amount of fuel your Generac generator uses, it’s time to talk costs. Let’s take a look at the primary expenses associated with Generac generators, from the cost of the generator itself to the cost of upkeep.

Generac Generator Costs

There’s no way to undersell the benefits of the Generac generator. Yet another one is the cost. Many whole-home generators cost upwards of $10,000 which can lead homeowners to put off protecting their household from a power outage-but Generac generators are much easier to fit into your budget.

The smallest Generac generator, providing 7 kW of energy, costs a mere $2,000. When you move all the way up to the 22 kW Generac generator, you’re only looking at about $5,000 in upfront costs. It isn’t until you get to the 30+ kW options (which most households don’t need) that you get into a price range of over $10,000.

Generator Installation

It’s in your best interest to work with a professional when installing your Generac generator. Because you’re dealing with volatile fuel sources, expertise is a must.

When hiring a generator installer, pay close attention to their experience, customer reviews, and costs. To find out how much generator installation will cost, talk directly with your service provider about your specific household needs.

Generator Fuel

Naturally, one of the main ongoing costs of using a Generac generator is the cost of fuel. When you’re using natural gas to power your generator, you can expect your gas bill to increase in the months when you needed backup power. If you’re using propane, you will need to make sure to keep the propane tank full for emergencies.

The cost of natural gas use varies by state. If you’re running a 22 kW Generac generator at 100% power output for a full 24 hours, you can expect to spend about $100 on natural gas. The same usage would cost about $200 per day if you’re using propane.

Generator Maintenance

You never know when you could be hit with a power outage because power outages aren’t always easy to predict. The last thing you want is to lose power only to discover that your generator isn’t working properly-especially if the outage prevents service providers from coming to your property.

Regular Generac generator maintenance ensures that your generator is ready when you need it. By investing in annual preventative maintenance, you can also avoid the cost of a premature generator replacement. 

Buying a Generator? Hire a Generator Installer.

There’s a reason that the Generac natural gas generator is the most popular with prepared homeowners. In fact, there are many! The fuel efficiency of these natural gas and propane generators are just one of the factors that lead homeowners to choose Generac.

Generator Supercenter Heartland has multiple locations across southern states. We offer the best generator models, factory-certified repairs and maintenance, and turn key generator installation for your peace of mind. We treat each client the way we treat our own family: with respect, care, and devotion.

To get started, contact us and let us know how we can be of service.