Diesel VS Gas Generator: Which Should You Use?

In 2019, the global generator market was worth USD $20.31 billion. It’s projected to increase to USD $27.16 billion by 2027 as more people discover the convenience of these energy-converting machines.

Generators are extremely reliable sources of backup power. They’re useful for home and commercial businesses, off-grid living, recreational use, or even as an easy plan B in the case of a home black-out.

There are two types of affordable, portable generators available. To help you make an informed decision on the topic of buying a diesel vs gas generator, we’ve compiled a list of pros and cons for each.

Diesel vs Gas Generator

When choosing what kind of generator to purchase, it’s important to weigh all the benefits and drawbacks. From fuel source and intended application to personal preference, cost, and reliability, there’s a lot to go over. Let’s start with the most common type of generator, diesel. 

Diesel Pros

A marriage between the first generator, which was invented by Michael Faraday, and Rudolph Diesel’s diesel engine (now we know where the name came from), diesel generators are most commonly used in industrial settings due to their increased power and longevity.

1. Energy and Efficiency

When it comes to energy and efficiency, diesel ranks first. This is because once the fuel is ignited through compression, air and fuel enter the engine separately.

Since only the air is compressed, less fuel is used. Due to this mechanism, a diesel generator will work for longer on the same amount of fuel.

2. Maintenance 

Although requiring expensive maintenance in the past, today’s diesel generators need considerably less. Shifting to auto-ignition eliminated the need for spark plugs, allowing these workhorses to run from 12,000 to approximately 20 or even 30,000 hours without requiring any extreme attention.

On that note, annual or bi-annual checkups are still recommended along with regular usage to keep parts lubricated, oil replenished, and the fuel used before it can degrade or oxidize. 

3. Reliability

Measured by its low maintenance needs and increased fuel efficiency, not to mention diesel’s higher energy density, the reliability of this type of generator makes it a favorite choice for institutions such as hospitals where a loss of power could literally mean a loss of life. 

4. More Pros

Alongside the many pros of a diesel generator, they also typically have long lives, low recurring costs, and more easily sourced fuel. 

Diesel Cons

Of course, every up has a down. It wouldn’t be an informed decision if we didn’t explore the cons of a diesel generator alongside the pros.

1. Cost

Both the fuel and the generator itself are more expensive than gas. Due to the price fluctuations of diesel, it could cost you more in the long run.

2. Noise 

Diesel generators are known to be quite loud. Although still true depending on the machine itself, today’s models are getting closer to the relatively low noise capacity of gas generators.

3. Fumes and Fuel Quality

When burned, diesel produces a fair amount of pollution. For the engine, this might mean it needs special scrubbing technologies to clean the fumes out. Diesel fuel is also capable of going bad and requires consistent quality awareness.

4. Extreme Weather

Since diesel generators do not contain spark plugs, a cold-weather start can prove challenging. This can be remedied, however, by helping the engine rev up with the use of a glow plug.

Gas Pros

With the global shift towards using natural gas in an attempt to produce less pollution, the gas generator has been inching upwards in popularity over the years.

1. Fewer Emissions

On that note, first on this list is the relative cleanliness of using gas. Natural gas is free of those heavy odors that are unavoidable with diesel. That means it doesn’t release the same level of pollution into the air. 

2. Cost

You may have noticed that gas is less expensive than diesel. This is an obvious advantage and will save you on the cost of fuel over the years, especially if it’s powering your home. 

3. Availability

Natural gas production is at an all-time high. In the U.S. it flows through a network of over 200 pipelines covering over 300,000 miles.

This increase in capacity equals an increase in dependability. If using natural gas, you should nearly always be able to find enough fuel. 

4. Location and Weather Friendly

Despite typically being larger, this type of generator is the obvious choice for restricted or enclosed spaces due to the lack of toxic ejections. To add to the many pros of gas generators is their capacity for running quietly and starting in cold weather, something their diesel cousins can struggle with.

Gas Cons

As we did with diesel, let’s go over the main cons of a gas generator. Although we obviously want to go for the more environmentally friendly option, there are still a few things to be aware of.

1. Explosive

One of the major cons of a gas generator is the potential danger. Safe as long as things are in working order, should a pipeline burst you could have a serious fire hazard, and injury, on your hands.

2. More Maintenance

Since the safety of a gas generator depends on everything being in top shape, they are maintenance guzzlers. Any money saved on the initial cost of the engine and fuel could quickly go into repairs and checkups. 

3. Disturbed Supply

Although fairly constant, a natural disaster could quickly disrupt the supply chain and leave you without power in an emergency. This only applies if you’re using natural gas. Regular gasoline, on the other hand, has a shorter shelf life and could also leave you stranded if it expires. 

4. Lower Fuel Efficiency

Despite being a more easily attainable source of fuel, gas is less efficient than diesel. This means that even though gas is also less expensive, you might end up spending the same amount as you would on diesel simply due to the volume needed. 

Which Will You Choose?

As you can see, there’s a lot to know when you’re trying to decide on a diesel vs gas generator, but ultimately they are both excellent for portable power and emergencies. 

If you’re looking for more information and would like to talk to a specialist about which generator you need, contact us today and we’ll be happy to help you!