ACING YOUR NEXT GENERATOR INSTALLATION

Power outages happen. Often, they result from elements out of our control, such as natural disasters, power grid failures, utility pole accidents, and transformer malfunctions. Luckily, your commercial facility doesn’t have to suffer from these outages or be held back by waiting for an electricity company to reach your lot.

To avoid halting operations, creating an unsafe working environment, or losing business and profits, consider a backup generator. By securing your facilities with an alternative source of power, you can continue your operations with ease until the outage is resolved. Here are our top 4 tips to get you prepared for your generator installation.

SIZE AND POWER REQUIREMENTS

To start, you’ll need to know what your power needs are and do a bit of research to determine what generator would fulfill them. There are numerous free online tools to calculate and estimate what size and power requirement the generator will need based on your commercial space. It is always helpful to reach out to an electrical expert, such as Synergy Electric, to consult and confirm your estimations.

DIESEL VS. NATURAL GAS

While researching or consulting with an expert, you’ll likely come across the two most common types of generators: diesel and natural gas. Let’s take a look at what sets these two apart.

Diesel Generators — Diesel generators are quite popular because of their versatility. They can be used in various industries, for many different applications, and require less overall maintenance. The downside to diesel generators is that they are limited to their fuel tank. When considering this option, you must weigh in the size of the tank you are purchasing, how long it will back up your operations for, and how you plan to refill your supply. For emergencies, it’s always best to store additional diesel fuel tanks on-site for quick replacements.

Natural Gas Generators — In urban environments, natural gas generators are often the preferred choice. They produce less noise, burn fuel cleaner, and can be connected directly to the local gas line. Comparatively, they avoid the need for additional fuel storage and are more environmentally friendly than diesel generators. Arguably, however, natural gas generators may present some more cons. For example, they often require more frequent maintenance and are vulnerable to gas supply shutdowns from utility companies. Still, for those that are concerned by this, there is an alternative fueling option. Instead of connecting to the gas line, supply your tank with liquid petroleum gas. Propane gas is easy to acquire and refuel.

Once you have decided which generator type is right for your commercial property, the next step is to look into new or used generators. While new generators will be the latest make and model, come with a manufacturer warranty, and align with the most recent EPA compliance, there are some crucial points to consider. For example, they often come at a high cost, are made to order (meaning a longer delivery wait time), and are less flexible for modifications, including aftermarket parts.

Used generators are often ready for immediate use, available with a broader range of makes and models, have a better opportunity for upgrades and aftermarket add-ons, and, of course, can come at a lower price. Always be sure any used generator you are looking at is serviced, tested, and certified.

APPROVALS, PERMITS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Dependent on your commercial property’s location, you’ll need proper permits, codes, construction, unions, transportation, flood zones, and after-hour work requirements. All of these factors will affect the installation timeline. Air quality, emissions, noise, and proximity of fuel to buildings are among the necessary environmental factors you must consider. A city inspection and approval from your landlord is often needed as well.

SITE PREPARATIONS

Your site will need to undergo several preparations before, during, and after installation.

• The generator’s foundation, typically a concrete pad, will need to be prepped.
• All necessary permits and approvals will be acquired for the site.
• The generator purchased must be compliant with local and national building codes as well as EPA regulations.
• After installation, all required connections will be made, including fuel line and electrical attachments.
• A test run of the generator’s power and functionality will be completed.
• All tools, equipment, materials, and waste will be properly removed, cleaned up, or disposed of.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT INSTALLER

For a smooth and painless generator installation, trust a professional electrical construction company. At Synergy Electric, our decades-worth of experience and expertise will be readily available to you through a consultation or on-site evaluation. We will work together to ensure that you have the right generator for your commercial building and that it is correctly installed. Get in touch with us today by sending an email or calling us at 862-251-7280 to have your facility prepared from unexpected power outages!