Imagine a storm rolls in faster than forecasted, within minutes, the entire grid goes down. Your crews stand idle on a construction site or maybe the critical systems in your hospital struggle to stay online.
Whatever the case, no one can afford to lose power and this scenario could very well be a reality in peak hurricane season. And although no one can control the weather or power outages, you can make sure you are prepared when the storm hits.
Wondering how? Through commercial generator rental services! They give you immediate, reliable power exactly when and where you need it. In this 101 guide by Curtis Power Solutions, we will discuss everything about commercial generators for rent. We will cover their benefits, cost-factors to consider, safety and maintenance steps, and how different industries benefit from rented generators.
So, let’s begin!
There are a lot of options in the market when it comes to generators, from diesel to natural gas, and propane generators; portable to non-portable ones. Each of these can either be bought or you can rent them. Wondering which is best suited for you - buying vs renting? Here's your cheat code.
Consider for how long you need the generator. Rent a generator in case of an emergency or for short-term needs (from a few days to months). However if you require the power backup for a longer duration, it is best for you to buy it.
Let’s go over how renting outweighs buying a generator:
The generator rental generally includes the generator, its associated cables, and other parts for completing the setup. Confirm with your commercial generator rental agency beforehand about the services they provide with the generator system.
Also, the knowledge of the key factors to consider before renting a generator is crucial to choose the best one for your business. At Curtis Power Solutions, in addition to the basic set up we also offer installation, transportation, and maintenance support.
There are a lot of factors including the size, capacity, and type of generator, etc. that contribute to the generator rental cost. This knowledge will help you understand which services are provided by the generator rental agency and which ones you need to take care of yourself.
Here’s what adds to your commercial generator’s rental cost:
The size and capacity of the generator contributes the most to its renting cost. A generator with high capacity and more power output will definitely have a higher renting cost as compared to a smaller one.
The runtime or for how long you use the generator also decides its rental cost. Determine your needs well in advance before booking the generator.
PRO-TIP: Avoid any last minute bookings and consult your rental agency to get the right-sized generator for rent.
The renting cost is also affected by the type of fuel that you need for the generator. A common query that arises here is diesel vs gas generators. Although diesel costs more and its price often fluctuates, it is more fuel-efficient than gas generators.
While most generator rental agencies include the installation and delivery in the renting cost, some may charge you extra for it. Talk to your generator rental before making the final decision.
You may also be charged extra for the additional accessories including power cables, extension chords, and transfer switches, etc.
Losing power is never a viable option for any scalable business. A lot of industries benefit from the commercial generator rentals, it is a clear winning strategy where you don’t invest much but still get the assurance of a constant and reliable power backup.
Let’s take a look at which industries need power backup 24/7:
With the primary goal to save lives and treat people, the healthcare industry requires essential equipment to run at all times. Power outages due to extreme weather or grid failures necessitate a partnership with commercial generator rentals to ensure there are no power failures.
The tourism and hospitality industry is central to a country’s economy. For continued operations of elevators, HVAC, and lighting it is crucial to ensure a power backup so nothing stops in case of a power outage. Rental generators are thus important for customer satisfaction and successful business operations.
From the basic lighting, to everyday appliances, and the central heating, everything runs on power in a house. An instant and reliable backup is also important to ensure the safety and security of the residents in a multi-unit residential complex.
The retail industry too requires a reliable power supply to make sure there are no downtimes, spoiled inventories, or lost transactions. It is also important to ensure maintenance, security and to prevent equipment damage due to power surges.
Nobody likes disruptions, especially in an entertainment event and power is integral here to make sure there are no hiccups. The entertainment industry with a budget of sometimes even millions thus thrives on power backup to ensure their investment doesn’t go wasted.
In the age of cloud computing and AI, data centers have become integral to a country’s economy. These data centers need a reliable backup to ensure everything runs seamlessly and there are no data loss or breaches.
Now that you know how each industry benefits from a consistent power backup. Let’s understand why the generator's compliance to codes and standards matters and whether you need it while renting.
There are various standards and codes put forth by organisations like National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),and the local authorities for storing and using generators.
Therefore, in addition to looking at the basic requirements and other cost related factors, it is also important to ensure you comply with the specific guidelines and codes for generators. Yes, even while renting. Wondering why this compliance matters?
Here’s why:
Compliance is important to ensure safety from any electrical, fire, and health (Carbon monoxide poisoning) hazards. It also reduces the liabilities (in terms of any lawsuits, damage claims, and fines) for both the rental agency and the rentee.
The compliance codes put checks on wiring, grounding, and maintenance, all of which enable reliable functioning of the rented generator. The regular testing and inspection of the generator unit also enhance the longevity of the system.
Complying to the EPA codes also aid in protecting the environment through the classification of different diesel generators, limiting the release of air pollutants. The US state of California has even stricter California Air Resources (CARB) standards.
Compliance ensures that you avoid any legal issues like fines, penalties, and the insurance being invalidated. It helps avoid costly downtimes due to removal of generators in high-risk institutions like hospitals and data centers.
Ensuring the safe operation, storage, and maintenance of generator systems is integral for a rented generator. This ensures you get the backup when needed and there is no risk to any business operations nor are there any safety issues.
Here are a few pointers for your commercial generator rental’s safety and sound maintenance:
Reliable power backup is important whether it’s to keep life-saving equipment running, ensure your project completes on schedule, or guarantee your event goes off without a hitch. Understanding the nuances of generator rentals is thus important for running a successful business.
At Curtis Power Solutions, we ensure everything you own runs smoothly and you never have to worry about power outages. We power your equipment when and where you need it. Contact us for generator rental, sales, spare parts, and any maintenance assistance, we have it all under one roof.
Yes, Home Depot has generators to rent under the “Tool Rental” section of its “Services”. It offers portable gas generators from 2000W to 6500W.
Whether renting or buying is cheaper, depends on your needs. For short term power backup, rental generators are the best options as they save you high upfront buying and maintenance costs. Buying a generator is more cost effective than renting one if you need the generator for several years.
For a home generator, the cost to pay depends on the size and type of generator. A small portable one can cost you somewhere around $500 while a whole house generator costs between $7,000 to $15,000.
To choose the right size generator for renting, make a list of all appliances or equipment that you will use simultaneously. Add their running wattages and the highest surge wattage of one of the appliances to know your exact power needs. Choose a generator accordingly or consult with a generator rental agency for expert guidance.
Industries that benefit the most from commercial renting of generators include healthcare, construction, data centers, manufacturing, and processing units etc. Consistent power supply is necessary for these industries to ensure there are no costly interruptions to the business operations, data breaches, or worse-the loss of a life.
Yes, commercial generator rentals are available for emergency use. Many rental agencies offer 24/7 services for generator installation, transport, and maintenance support. This ensures reliable power backup in case of emergencies.
Yes, you do need permits for a commercial generator rental especially for a large capacity generator. It ensures that you comply with the National Electrical Code for safe installation, and to legally connect to the local grids (in case of a standby generator). Small portable generators generally don’t require these permits.