If you’re looking to invest in a new generator in the near future, you may be wondering whether to get a propane or gas generator.
Generators aren’t affordable, from the initial purchase price to maintenance and repair costs.
You also have running costs on top of all that.
Choosing which to buy between propane vs gas generator isn’t easy since they both have their advantages and disadvantages.
The main differences between propane and gas generators can be broken down into fuel availability, storage, run time, and costs.
You may be using your generator from day to day, or you may only keep it for emergencies only.
Ultimately, the best fuel for you will depend on what you’re using your generator for and what fuel you have access to.
You can store propane indefinitely for a long time, which makes it ideal for emergency use.
When stored in an appropriate location and maintained correctly, a propane tank will last for many years, although it can be very costly.
Installing a permanent propane source will take a lot more planning.
That's because you’ll also need to install plumbing between the fuel source and generator.
Larger tanks also need to be recertified ten years after manufacturing.
Then every five years past that date, for safety.
Still, it is very easy to store large amounts of propane on your property.
That said, the regulator on propane tanks is susceptible to freezing.
That makes propane an unreliable source of power in particularly cold climates.
If you live in an area affected by earthquakes, extra precautions must also be taken when using a propane gas tank.
Storing propane in areas affected by wildfires is also a risk.
Gasoline is easily available in everyday situations, but may become inaccessible or in high demand in emergencies.
Power outages are often caused by severe weather conditions, such as snowstorms, blizzards, or tornadoes.
In such situations, heading to your local gas station for fuel isn’t the wisest move.
Sometimes it won’t even be possible.
Gas naturally degrades over time and loses combustibility.
That's because of oxidation and evaporation of its volatile compounds.
Unfortunately, this gives gasoline a shelf life of around six months, even if it’s stored properly in an airtight plastic container or metal tank.
The shelf life of ethanol-blended gas is even worse since it lasts for just three months.
With the help of fuel stabilizers, you could extend the lifespan of pure gasoline to one to three years.
But the limited shelf life of gas makes it difficult to store on your property long-term for emergencies.
It’s also worth noting that fire departments often recommend storing no more than five gallons on your property due to safety issues.
Using contaminated gas in your generator could cause irreparable damage to the fuel system components.
Hence, you need to make sure you know how old it is before using it.
When we’re receiving electricity from the grid, we can enjoy months and years of uninterrupted power.
However, when you’re running off a generator, you need to consider the unit’s run time.
Propane tanks are available in many different sizes, from one pound up to 420 pounds, which is 120 gallons of fuel and beyond.
If you have a propane tank installed, you can often enjoy days of uninterrupted power.
That is depending on the power load you’re using.
Most residential gas generators have a built-in fuel tank that only holds several gallons of gas at one time.
In terms of propane vs gas generator run time, gas will provide hours worth of electricity.
Unfortunately, it will need refilling daily, sometimes even several times a day, depending on your power needs.
Maintaining a home generator system properly is very important to ensure that it will work when you need it to.
The mechanics of propane-powered generators are more complicated than gas generators.
This means they have a greater chance of failing when you need them most.
They’re also more difficult to get fixed.
More people are familiar with gas generators. Maintaining them is fairly similar to maintaining a car.
Change the oil from time to time and change the spark plug and air filter after every 200 hours of use.
You should also store the generator with an empty tank.
Ideally, start it up every month when you’re not using it to circulate the oil through the engine.
Another difference between propane and gas generators is the fuel efficiency of each and their environmental impact.
One gallon of propane produces 84,300 BTU’s (British Thermal Units of heat), which is only around 74% as much energy as gas.
A BTU is effectively how much heat it takes to raise the temperature of one pound of water, by one degree Fahrenheit.
However, propane is a cleaner-burning fuel than gas, making it better for your generator and the environment.
Although it’s not quite as efficient as the diesel, gas is very fuel-efficient as one gallon of gas produces 110,000 BTUs.
Gas also doesn’t burn cleanly, though. It releases toxins into the air and leaves carbon deposits in your generator engine.
Cost is also a hugely important factor to consider when choosing which type of generator will work best for you.
The vast majority of us have household budgets to stick to.
Thus, our options are often limited to what we can afford, rather than what we want.
Propane generators are generally more expensive than their gas alternatives.
Meaning a higher level of investment is needed when installing.
Further to this, many of the advantages of having a propane system come from having a larger propane tank.
Buying and installing a large propane storage tank will also add to the upfront costs.
It will also help to reduce the long term running costs.
In some areas of the USA, propane is cheaper to buy than gas.
If you live in one of these states, a propane generator could save you a lot of money in the long run.
That is only if you can afford the extra upfront costs.
Gas generators are usually far cheaper to buy and install on your property.
Across many states, gas is also a cheaper fuel option.
Combined with the fact that gas also offers greater fuel efficiency, this type of generator usually works out to be the most cost-effective option.
Let’s take a quick recap of propane and gas generators' main pros and cons before checking out the third option: the dual fuel generator.
Dual fuel generators are exactly as they sound.
They can run off using propane or gas, switching from one to the other with a breeze.
This allows you to enjoy the affordability of gas, combined with the convenience and availability of propane.
However, they cost more than both propane and gas generators.
That is why many people opt for conversion kits instead.
A conversion kit is a small device that you can buy and fit yourself onto a gas generator to make it run on both propane and gas.
Depending on the kit you buy, you may have to add stud extenders, cut into the frame or crankcase tube, or simply slide it on and mount it.
In addition to choosing the type of fuel you want your generator to run from, there are other considerations you’ll need to make when making your purchase.
Whether you’ve narrowed your search to gas, propane, or dual fuel, there are still some other features that you may wish to look out for when shopping.
Owning a generator that features an automatic start is the ultimate convenience.
If or when your power goes out, the generator will automatically kick in.
It will bring your power back before you’ve even had a chance to miss it.
This is especially handy if you’re away from home when the power goes out.
With it, your fridge and freezer can carry on uninterrupted.
It will also come in useful during severe weather situations.
It will give you emergency power without having to brave the elements.
If you’re running important machinery, it may even be necessary rather than a luxury.
Having an electric start is the next best thing to an automatic start.
You do have to switch the generator on yourself, but it will be incredibly easy, with just the touch of a button.
Sometimes, you have to go to the generator and press the button manually.
Some will come complete with remote control, allowing you to start the generator from the comfort of your own home.
We also think having a fuel gauge on your generator is massively underrated.
A fuel gauge allows you to keep an eye on how much fuel you have available, how much you’ve used, and how soon you have to refill the tank.
Once again, in emergencies and blackouts, this will be an especially useful feature to have.
There may be times when sourcing more fuel just isn’t possible.
The fuel gauge will allow you to monitor your usage.
A fuel gauge will help you evaluate how much you can afford to use each hour or day.
That is even before potentially being able to refuel again.
You may not need more than one plug-in right now.
As such, it’s good to have options for in case the need for two arises.
Some newer generators also come with a removable console.
It lets you take your plug-ins closer to where you need them.
You should not use traditional extension cords with portable generators.
A removable console saves you the need to buy a commercially-rated extension cord.
It is usually cheaper to run a generator on gas.
That is unless you live in an area where propane is affordable.
If you were running your generator all day long, you would literally save yourself hundreds of dollars within just a few days by choosing the right fuel source.
Yes, propane doesn’t expire and will therefore last indefinitely.
On the contrary, gas will only last for around one year, even with fuel stabilizers.
The early shelf life of gas can actually cause engine failure in a generator if it's been left to go bad.
Yes, you can with the help of DIY generator conversion kits.
As noted earlier, you can use them to switch your gasoline generator to run on different fuels.
You can make your generator accept propane (LP gas) and natural gas, while still being able to operate on gas.
As you can see, when you compare the two against each other, propane vs gas generator, it’s impossible to say which one is better.
They both have their own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Which one is better for you will massively depend on your needs.
A propane generator may be more suitable for remote locations, especially if you’re in an area where propane is more affordable and available.
Gas generators tend to be slightly more popular due to their lower cost and higher fuel efficiency.
If in doubt, why not buy a dual fuel generator or a gas generator with a conversion kit so that you can enjoy the benefits of both?
That way, you can always store propane on the property for emergencies, but use gas for day to day use.
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