Buying a commercial generator is a little different from buying one for your home, with additional considerations that you need to make. You need your generator to provide you with plenty of power, while not being too expensive to run and easy to maintain. Considering these factors can make purchasing a commercial generator challenging, but it doesn’t need to be. Today, we outline the main considerations you should make when purchasing a commercial generator and its differences from a standard generator.
Negotiating When Choosing a Generator
When you are buying a commercial generator, remember that the listed price is rarely the final word. Many suppliers are open to negotiation, particularly if you are purchasing additional equipment, entering a service agreement, or committing to a long-term relationship. By asking about discounts, extended warranties, or bundled maintenance packages, you can often secure better value without compromising quality. It’s also wise to compare several providers—knowing the market rate gives you leverage to ask for favourable terms. This ensures you get not only the right generator but also the right deal for your business.
Why a Generator Can Make Your Business More Successful
A reliable generator isn’t just about keeping the lights on—it can directly impact your bottom line. Power outages often lead to costly downtime, lost productivity, and unhappy customers. Having a backup generator in place allows your business to continue operations without interruption, which builds customer trust and protects revenue streams. In industries like retail, hospitality, or manufacturing, where even a short delay can have significant knock-on effects, a generator provides stability. Over time, that reliability can become a competitive advantage, setting your business apart as dependable and resilient.
Risks of Not Having a Generator
Choosing not to invest in a commercial generator exposes your business to a variety of risks. Unexpected power cuts can bring operations to a standstill, resulting in lost sales, damaged equipment, or even breaches of compliance where refrigeration, IT systems, or health and safety standards are involved. Beyond the immediate financial costs, repeated disruptions can erode customer confidence and damage your reputation. For businesses operating in regions with unstable grids or severe weather, the risk multiplies. Without a generator, you’re gambling with your continuity—something few companies can afford in today’s competitive environment.
What’s The Difference Between Commercial And Home Generators?
While home and commercial generators will work in the same way, there are differences between them that you need to be aware of. Understanding their differences will help you make the right purchase and determine if you do need a commercial generator or not. We have listed the key differences to be aware of below:
- Commercial generators are larger with bigger engines that are designed to be placed on concrete slabs. These larger generators offer more power than residential generators, capable of powering hospitals, mines, or manufacturing plants.s
- Commercial generators have larger radiators as they provide more power; they need larger radiators to keep them cool and prevent overheating and any issues that come with that.t
- Commercial generators have more features that allow for remote monitoring and automatic load management, so you can control them from anywhere. Residential generators tend to be simpler and easier to operate.e
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- Commercial generators have stricter compliance with stricter standards, building codes, noise regulations, and zoning regulations compared to home generators. You will still have rules and regulations for home generators, but they don’t tend to be as strict as commercial generators.
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<p>>Commercial generators tend to cost more due to their larger size and power output. It is common to find commercial generators at a higher price than home generator
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What Should You Consider When Buying a Commercial Generator?
Before you buy a commercial generator for your business, it is important that you consider a few factors. Considering the capacity you need, where the generator will be placed, and the noise level will help you narrow your search and find the perfect commercial generator for your needs. The factors and features that you need to consider will vary slightly depending on your needs, but we have outlined the main factors to consider below:
Capacity You Need
First, you need to determine the size of the generator you will need. To work this out, you need to add up the maximum power output of all the appliances that you need to run at the same time. You can add the start-up and running power usage of each appliance and add a safety net of 10%. You can use this number to find a commercial generator with the appropriate capacity, allowing you to power everything you need worry-free.
<p><p><p><p><p><p>The total load of your generator is usually displayed in watts, kilowatts, amps, or voltage, so keep in mind that you might need to convert some of the power outages of your appliances.
Location and Environmental Factors
You also need to consider where you are putting the commercial generator and any environmental factors that will impact it. For example, consider any challenging conditions or if you are far away from the power grid. Any adverse weather conditions should also be considered, and how you plan to shelter them.
Commercial generators need to be kept dry and away from any fire hazards. You might need to make changes to your desired location to ensure it is safe for a generator. You will want to familiarise yourself with how you care for the generator too, and ensure it is in an accessible area so that you can reach it if anything goes wrong.
Fuel Options
Most commercial generators are powered by diesel, and it remains the most popular choice. However, there are other options you can explore, including petrol, natural gas, and propane. Diesel generators offer the most fuel efficiency and can fire up quickly, ensuring you aren’t without power for too long.
<p><p><p><p><p><p>Diesel also has a greater fuel density to provide more useful energy from each unit of volume, and the generators tend to have high power outputs, making them a good option for businesses with high power output.
Noise and Vibration Levels
You need to consider the noise level of the commercial generator. The noise of your generator cannot exceed local restrictions, with generators not being louder than city traffic. The vibrations of your generator must also be considered. Generators typically vibrate when there is are imbalance or misaligned parts, and can contribute to noise pollution. Regular maintenance will help to prevent any excessive wear and tear.
Find Your Commercial Generator Today
When searching for a commercial generator, a diesel generator is your best choice. Especially if you need a powerful generator that can fire up quickly. Considering the factors we outlined will help you narrow your choice. With sites like Renteca offering reasonably priced commercial generators, you can hire or buy. Find your generators for commercial uses here today.
