Getting Ready To Buy a New Generator

The year is coming to an end and there is a good chance that the generous elves down in accounting have given you permission to gift your business a new generator by the end of the year. But, before you put your new machine under the tree in the parking lot, you will need to determine which system suits your future needs the best. To that end, the following are some questions you will want to answer before you sign on the dotted line.

What are your past, current, and future power needs?

It is a good idea to examine your previous and current power usage to identify trends. These can help you forecast future power needs and serve as a foundation to justify the capacity of the new generator you want to purchase. When estimating future power needs, it is best to give yourself a little cushion to ensure your system can provide reliable support as your business grows.

What do you like/dislike about your current generator? 

Maybe your new generator is a perfect fit, or maybe it makes too much noise. Listing out the pros and cons of your existing power generation equipment can help you identify the features that are most/least important in your new generator. Keeping this list handy can help narrow your search to systems that offer all the features and functionality you desire with few of the faults that you want to change.

How is the fuel situation?

Fuel prices are climbing and you may be considering switching fuel types to save money down the road. Now is a good time to review the advantages of diesel, natural gas, propane, bi-fuel, etc. It is also a good idea to determine which fuel is best suited for your future business plans, i.e., expansion into new areas where your current fuel option will be limited or result in considerably higher delivery costs.

What infrastructure or accessories will you need? 

Do you need a new transfer switch to go with your new generator? Do you need to install remote monitoring or other systems? What about communications upgrades, enclosure construction, added security, etc.? Buying a new generator can save your business money by reducing operating costs and minimizing downtime, but these benefits come at a price and you will need to determine all the additional expenses a new system can invite.

How is the warranty?

Different manufacturers offer different warranties on their standby power generation systems. Whether it’s a two-year warranty, five-year warranty, parts, parts and labor, etc., you need to sort through the fine print of each option. This is time-consuming, but the better you understand the warranty, the better you can take care of regular maintenance and unexpected repairs.

Are you in the market for a new generator as the year comes to an end? Contact Gen-Tech Power Generation Specialists at (800) 625-8324, and we will be happy to help guide you to the best decision for your business.

Posted Under: new generator