When starting a new construction project, often times the project starts off the main power grid and there is no steady supply of power available. This poses a challenge for construction companies to power key items, such as jackhammers, drills, lighting systems, temporary on-site modular offices, and other industrial equipment. While there are many pieces of equipment that can be run independently via gas power or are battery operated, there are often limitations. This is where portable commercial generators truly shine.

Benefits of portable generators

Commercial generators are often leveraged as a primary source of power when starting new construction projects – more specifically portable style commercial generators. These portable commercial generators are usually double-axle trailers mounted with a chassis and voltage selector switch which not only help in moving the generator around from location to location on-site but allows for the generator to be easily transported to the next job location. The voltage selector switch also helps set the generator to specifically required power outputs that are necessary to complete the tasks at hand. A portable commercial generator is a game-changer from having no power available at a new construction project to having a steady source of power to get the project off the ground and in motion.

In addition to acting as a primary source of power, there is an added benefit to having a portable commercial generator on-site. As projects progress and the work site may eventually be connected to the main power grid, power outages due to rolling blackouts, brownouts, natural or man-made disasters, and inclement weather can result in power loss to the entire area. A portable commercial generator can help mitigate downtime due to power loss by acting as a primary power source until power is restored to the main grid. Mitigating downtime can help reduce loss of productivity and help keep the project on track to meet specific deadlines.

Most importantly, a portable commercial generator can help power key equipment, such as saws, drills, pumps, diggers, compressors, and even help charge battery packs for battery-powered equipment.

When it comes to choosing a portable generator for your construction site, it is important to keep in mind that not all job sites carry the same power requirements. Power needs and requirements vary from one location to another, so it is important to invest in generators that will accommodate different needs on a project-by-project basis.

Before even searching for a generator, the first step would be to calculate the power requirements of commonly used equipment. Assess what equipment the generator needs to power, be sure to take into account not only the required power needed to run, but also add in a buffer. Some equipment requires more power to start than to actually run. Adding a buffer can help account for the sporadic surges of energy that may be necessary to start specific pieces of equipment.

Select a Fuel Type

When choosing a portable generator for your construction site, fuel type is an important factor to take into consideration. Fuel type is the type of fuel that generators use to run. There are two main fuel types used for commercial generators out on the market – diesel and natural gas. While the generators function very similarly, they come with their own pros and cons.

Portable diesel generators are one of the most commonly used and preferred generator configurations used for emergency and portable backup solutions. The ease of portability and ease of transporting/acquiring diesel fuel supplies is a huge perk. Diesel generators are also extremely reliable and durable. A drawback to diesel generators is that the maximum runtime a diesel generator can operate is limited to its fuel tank. If using a diesel generator for work sites and construction site projects, be sure to include measures for re-fueling. Whether the process is regular, scheduled diesel fuel deliveries, physical pickup of fuel, or replenishing fuel supply via external diesel fuel tanks, always ensure there is a way to keep the generator up and running.

Portable natural gas generators, while not as common as diesel generators, are still leveraged within the generator industry. Natural gas generators are highly capable of performance and are not limited to fuel supply restrictions like their diesel counterparts. If there is a natural gas pipeline available within the vicinity that you can connect the generator too, you can benefit from longer, uninterrupted run times and the removal of fuel storage requirements. Natural gas is also cheaper than diesel fuel, as the prices remain more stable over time. Natural gas generators can also thrive in projects or construction sites in more urban environments, due to the fact that the fuel burns cleaner and adheres to many more emissions rules & regulations for city use & operation. Another added benefit for portable natural gas generators is that if the units are configured, can also run-on liquid petroleum gas (LPG) aka propane. Propane supplies are usually fairly accessible in propane tanks at local convenience stores. This adds extra flexibility when planning for fuel supply acquisitions.

Whether you go with a portable diesel generator or a portable natural gas generator, it’s important to keep in mind that your generator must adhere to local EPA emissions & regulations. Commercial generators produce emissions and those emissions must adhere to all local mandates. It is imperative to keep this in mind during the generator selection stage.

Focus On Quality

When looking for a reliable backup commercial generator for your business operations, industrial applications, or facilities, it’s important to buy a quality generator that will not only meet the demands of a project or job site but can also last over the years. Commercial generators are by no means a cheap expense. Though buying used commercial generators is a cost-effective option, they can still cost you a pretty penny.

So, what’s the best approach to finding a quality generator? Our best advice is to find a reputable dealer.

A reputable dealer will be able to provide as much information as possible about the generator and will be able to expertly field any questions you may have about any generator needs. This is important, as many websites post listings from fake sellers in attempts to scam customers. Reputable dealers can verify key information about a generator you may be interested in purchasing, including hours, condition, photos, and where the generator came from (how it was used, for what application, etc).

When researching a generator and reputable dealers, take note of their inventory. If they have a good history of getting in new inventory and selling inventory, it means that the dealer has a good history of dealing in generators. Reputable dealers are also constantly updating their web content to share news and staying current to continue connecting with existing and potentially new customer bases. Reputable dealers will also be able to field your calls and usually provide consultation to answer all your questions and help find a generator that best fits your needs.

Most generator dealers have a process for transportation and installation of your generator to guarantee your satisfaction and that the transaction goes forward without a hitch!