Natural Gas Generator: How To Use It And More

Do you worry about what will happen if your power goes out?

Nobody likes power outages, which is why people love to have a natural gas generator. Without them, a power outage makes all the modern needs and comforts we love no longer usable. This can make your home feel more like just a shelter from the elements.

Your home is more than just walls and ceilings. It’s a place where you live with the people you love and make wonderful memories with them. A home is a safe place where you can relax after long days and regain your sense of self.

Blue Sky Electric Is The Best Generator Installation Company In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, And The Surrounding Area

No matter what you need for your home, Blue Sky Electric can help you get it. Our generators use natural gas so you can enjoy your home’s conveniences without worry.

Here’s what people frequently ask us about our generators: 

What Is A Natural Gas Generator?

Natural gas generators create electricity by inserting a mixture of natural gas and air into a combustion chamber. Pistons compress this fuel mixture until a spark plug forces the piston down, igniting the fuel and turning the crankshaft, creating electricity.

What is natural gas?

Natural gas is gas found in nature that cities pump through pipes underneath homes and businesses. The gas most cities use is methane-based. You use it to operate ovens, refrigerators, and more.

2 Types Of Natural Gas Generators

1. Standby generators

You’ll find standby generators in homes, businesses, and industrial plants.

These places install them permanently, and the local utility company supplies them with fuel. One of the best parts is they turn on automatically. But they’re really only for emergency power outages. Standby generators can only run for a certain amount of time before they break down.

2. Prime generators

These generators are for areas that don’t have a local utility company. Prime generators are less common for residential areas but can run much longer and handle larger loads than backup generators.

Where You’ll Find Generators That Use Natural Gas

Homeowners love these types of generators. They don’t have to regularly cycle through fresh gasoline or add any fuel at all. 

You’ll also find them in large facilities like hospitals and other buildings that need a continuous power supply. During emergencies, gas and propane tanks are hard to find, and diesel heavily pollutes the air. This makes natural gas an easy winner.

Pros And Cons Of Natural Gas Generators

Pros

• Continuous power supply
• It doesn’t go bad
• No need for refueling
• Cleaner for the environment
• No odor
• Cost-effective when it comes to installation, fuel, and physical footprint

Cons

• Maintenance costs are higher
• Non-renewable energy source
• Earthquakes and other calamities can disrupt the supply
• Fire hazard if the pipeline bursts

Sizing A Natural Gas Generator For Your Home

The first step is to note what you’ll want working during power outages. This can include your refrigerator, central air conditioning, microwave, televisions, electric cooking range, home security system, gas furnace, and more.

The more items you want to power, the higher the kilowatt rating you need. Some dealers will tell you how many circuits you can power. This allows you to choose the best generator for your needs.

Calculating the running watts and starting watts for your appliances can be tricky. It may be best to have an electrician or generator installation company help with this. Starting watts will be higher than running watts because some appliances need more power to start up.

Dual And Tri-Fuel Generators

You can choose to install a generator that runs on more than one fuel type. These aren’t very common for homes, but you can make it happen if you feel the need to have a dual or tri-fuel generator.

Feel Safe In Your Home By Installing A Natural Gas Generator

Did you find the information you were looking for when it comes to generators for your home? It’s time to stop worrying about what could happen during power outages and start preparing for it. Then you can stress less and enjoy life more!

At Blue Sky Electric, we know what it’s like when homeowners gain the peace of mind that comes with having a generator. Contact us when you’re ready to talk about getting one for your home. Or, visit our generator installation page for more information.