Alexandra Moreno
A natural gas generator is a backup or standby power unit that burns piped natural gas instead of diesel or gasoline to produce electricity, and homeowners and businesses increasingly favor them because they run on an existing utility line rather than a fuel tank that needs refilling.
| Price | 10.51 USD |
|---|---|
| Day change | +0.09 (+0.86%) |
| 52-week range | 10.18 – 12.23 |
| RSI (14) | 37.84 |
| Volume | 7,121,998 |
The appeal is straightforward: no trips to the gas station during a storm, no stored fuel degrading in a shed, and in many regions a lower cost per hour of run time than gasoline or propane. But the choice between a natural gas generator and other fuel types depends on where you live, how your home is piped, and what you actually need backed up when the grid goes down.
How a Natural Gas Generator Fits Into Home and Business Backup Power
Most natural gas generators sold for home use are standby units, meaning they sit outside on a concrete or composite pad, wired permanently into the electrical panel through an automatic transfer switch. When utility power fails, the transfer switch senses the outage, signals the generator to start, and shifts the household load onto generator power, typically within seconds to well under a minute. When utility power returns, the switch shifts the load back and the generator shuts itself down and cools.This is different from a portable gasoline generator that a homeowner has to wheel out, fuel, and plug in manually. Standby natural gas units are built for unattended, automatic operation, which is why they cost more upfront but save labor and stress during an actual outage.
Natural Gas Generator vs Propane and Diesel: Choosing the Right Fuel
The decision usually comes down to three questions: Is natural gas piped to your property? How long do outages typically last in your area? And how much continuous runtime do you need?| Fuel Type | Fuel Supply | Typical Use Case | Key Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural gas | Continuous utility pipeline | Homes and businesses with existing gas service | Unlimited runtime, but generator stops if the gas utility itself loses pressure |
| Propane | Onsite tank, refillable | Rural properties without piped gas | Finite supply tied to tank size, but independent of gas utility outages |
| Diesel | Onsite tank | Commercial, industrial, prime power | Higher fuel density and efficiency, but fuel degrades in storage and needs rotation |
| Gasoline | Portable cans or onsite tank | Small portable units, short outages | Cheapest upfront, but fuel spoils quickly and requires manual refueling |
Natural gas wins on convenience and, in most regions with steady pipeline infrastructure, on long term reliability since the fuel supply is effectively endless as long as the gas main stays pressurized. Propane is the fallback for anyone outside a natural gas service area. Diesel remains the standard for heavy commercial and industrial backup because of its energy density and durability, though it requires more maintenance planning.
Sizing, Installation, and Running Costs
Sizing a natural gas generator starts with an honest inventory of what needs power during an outage: refrigeration, well pumps, HVAC, medical equipment, lighting, and so on. Whole home units are sized to carry the entire electrical panel, while smaller units are sized to run a defined set of essential circuits. An electrician or generator dealer typically calculates the required kilowatt output based on the starting and running wattage of that equipment, since motors and compressors draw a surge of power when they first switch on.Installation involves a concrete or composite pad, gas line sizing and connection (often requiring a licensed plumber or gas fitter to confirm the existing line can supply enough volume), electrical wiring to an automatic transfer switch, and in many jurisdictions a permit and inspection. Because natural gas is delivered continuously through the meter rather than stored, ongoing fuel cost is simply whatever the local utility charges per unit of gas consumed, which is generally cheaper per kilowatt hour than propane or gasoline, though it varies by region and by the generator's efficiency.
Maintenance for a standby natural gas generator usually includes periodic oil changes, air filter checks, battery upkeep, and an annual professional service visit. Most units run a brief self test weekly, exercising the engine for a few minutes to keep the battery charged and lubricate internal parts, which also gives an early warning if something needs attention before a real outage hits.
