If you have been running a business, you know what havoc a sudden power outage striking your business during peak hours can cause. Your operations grind to a halt, customers are frustrated, and revenue is lost. A reliable backup generator can prevent such disruptions. Should you rent or buy one?
While buying one may seem quite expensive at first, let not just the price push you towards a choice! Read on to find out which decision would go well as per your demands.
Long-Term and Short-Term Commercial Generator Needs
Long-term needs are those that last six months or more. These require thorough planning and should be included in your annual budget, as they involve a more significant investment in generators.
Short-term needs, on the other hand, tend to arise unexpectedly. They may include renting portable generators for temporary office spaces or providing backup during power outages. These needs are less frequent and often fall outside your regular budget.
Hence, before you decide to purchase or rent a generator, consider whether your business demands short-term or long-term power backup.
Purchasing a Commercial Generator
If your business exists in an area which faces frequent power cuts, this decision to purchase might be better than renting a generator. However, before you proceed with the decision, consider the pros and cons of purchasing a generator.
Pros
Enjoy Ownership
If you ever feel the need to upgrade your generator, you can enjoy the freedom to do so as the owner. You can also utilize your generator as much as you want without any restrictions. Hence, you get full control over when and how to utilize your commercial generator.
Long-term Savings
The cost of renting a commercial generator might be above the cost of purchasing one on the basis of how frequently you rent one. Carefully assess how long you will need the generator. You might save money by purchasing a generator rather than renting for that specific time.
It’s Your Asset
Investing in a good quality commercial generator is like investing in an asset. You can sell the generator anytime you want to, as several companies are always looking to purchase them. Hence, the money you invested in purchasing the generator might not go in vain, as you can expect some return on investment by purchasing a generator.
Cons
Not Portable Always
Renting generators is usually portable as the dealer offers you the services wherever needed. However, purchased generators are basically stationary. If you ever demand to relocate them, it might be a hassle to disconnect and reinstall them in a new location. Hence, if you often change your location, you are advised to purchase a portable generator for more flexibility.
Higher Cost Upfront
Purchasing a generator in the short term is comparatively expensive. If your business does not have enough capital to purchase a generator, renting is the only option.
Maintenance Expenses
You are entirely responsible for repairing and maintaining your generator whenever needed. Hence, you have to pay for all the maintenance expenses.
Renting a Commercial Generator: Pros and Cons
Before you decide to rent a commercial generator for your business purposes, learn about the benefits and drawbacks it brings. Some of them are mentioned below:
Pros
Fulfill Seasonal Needs
If you are situated in an area that is prone to seasonal natural disasters, such as snow or torrential rains, but doesn’t experience power outages through the rest of the year, a rental generator stands as a good option, saving you from the cost of purchasing and maintaining your back up generator.
Access Electricity Anywhere
Generators on rent are portable. The rental company brings the equipment wherever you want to install it. You can access energy anywhere your business demands it.
Meet Your Short-Term Requirements
If you require temporary power backup, renting a commercial generator will fulfil your task. Usually, power cuts are irregular and might affect your business. Renting a generator might be enough to offer your business electricity backup.
Explore Renters Benefit
Once you rent a commercial generator, you can also explore multiple other advantages. In case the generator malfunctions, the rental company is responsible for sending skilled technicians to fix the problem. If the generator you rent turns out to be less powerful, you can demand a new one to fulfil your needs. The company will pick up the generator from your location and drop off the new one. They even manage the connections to make things easy for you.
Money Saving Option
Renting a commercial generator also saves money for your business. Why invest an unnecessary amount in purchasing a generator when you can rent one for only a few months or weeks? Instead, you only end up paying for the time you use a generator. By renting a generator, you ensure the smooth functioning of your business along with saving capital that could be invested in other business expenses.
Cons
Absence of Ownership
Even though renting a generator comes with multiple benefits and flexibilities, it is followed by certain restrictions. By owning something, you can do whatever you need or want. The same goes for generators. However, you are responsible for any damages that might occur during the rental period if you rent a generator.
Timeliness
Whenever energy demands arise, timing is of utmost importance. This is usually true when your business deals with refrigerated or frozen foods or certain disaster relief services. Any business might suffer losses of production due to the absence of power. If you depend on renting a generator for your needs, you might be without power for multiple hours or days before the company offers you one. Hence, it is recommended that you communicate with the generator dealer to create a contract that offers readily available services whenever you need one.
Limited Period
When renting a commercial generator, the company often limits your usage on the basis of the contractual terms. This means you can only utilize the generator till a specific energy consumption rate. Therefore, if you use the rental generator around the clock, which is considered a triple shift, the charges are higher than regular rates. These costs might eventually collect up over time and cost more than installing a generator at your business location.
Avail the Best Deal With Power Generation Enterprises
Your decision regarding whether to buy or rent a generator depends on multiple factors, such as your business location, demands, usage and pricing. Whether you prefer to rent or purchase a commercial generator, Power Generation Enterprises offers you solutions for every generator requirement. They fulfil your needs by offering you the right generator to meet your business demands.
Common Questions About Renting Vs. Buying a Commercial Generator
Q1. When should I rent a generator?
You would prefer renting a commercial generator when your demands can be fulfilled within a short time.
Q2. What is the lifespan of a commercial generator?
On average, diesel generators usually last for 20–25 years under normal usage.
Q3. Do generators offer a cost-effective option?
Diesel generators stand as a cost-effective power backup solution because of their long life span and fuel efficiency.
Q4. Mention the most efficient generators for industrial or commercial purposes.
Diesel generators are preferred as the most efficient generators compared to natural gas or gasoline generators.
Q5. Which generators are highly suitable for businesses?
Three-phase generators are suitable for most commercial settings as they support higher electricity requirements.
Q6. For how many hours can I run the generator without brakes?
Basically, generators can function continuously for 24–48 hours on a full fuel tank within normal load conditions.
Q7. Can a generator be run overnight?
You can run portable generators overnight for emergency power backup. However, different generators come with varied running cycles on the basis of the power load and fuel tank size.
