So, you’re doing great in your business and finally managed to build a shop. Now what? Do you have enough power supply for your shop?
Small or large, your business should run without a hitch. Even a power cut for five minutes can cause you a huge loss.
Your shop may contain things like mobile phones, batteries, POS machines, scanners, etc. that need electricity to run. That’s why you need a backup power supply for your shop, and what can be better than buying a generator?
However, not every generator is suitable for the small shop you own. That’s why you need to consider a few things before buying one.
Types of Generators Suitable for Small Shops
In recent years, generators have become quite popular among people, particularly business owners. They are looking for good power supplies for their factories, shops, etc.
Considering the immense popularity, generator companies like Able Sales are developing different types of generators. You have options to choose from various brands, sizes, types, and prices. But before purchasing, you need to know about the types of generators suitable for your shop.
Portable Generators
If you’re running a small shop, a portable generator can be the best option for a backup power supply. Also known as engine generator, it’s basically the combination of an electrical generator and an engine.
A portable generator is suitable for an area where the utility electricity is unavailable. Usually, it provides 3kW to 8kW of power supply. If you have a small shop in an area where the power supply isn’t adequate, it can be a good option for you.
The best part is that portable generators are small in size, meaning that you can carry them wherever you want.
Electric Gensets
Electric gensets or electric generators are one of the widely used generators. This type of generator turns mechanical power into electrical power that can be used in an external circuit.
Based on size and power, there are three types of electric generators. The small generators can supply 2kW to 7kW power, the medium ones can provide with 8kW to 20kW power supply, and the large generators can supply 20kW to 40kW power.
If you own a small shop, a small electric genset would be ideal for you.
Standby Generator
As the name suggests, a standby generator is big in size and requires permanent installation. It runs on diesel, petrol, or LPG and can provide 5kW to 15kW power supply.
Generally, the standby generator needs to be installed outside of the shop because of its size, so it’s not a suitable option for a small shop. However, if your shop location is permanent and you need more power supply to run it, then you can go for a standby generator.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Generator
Now you’ve learned about different types of generators and which one is the right for your shop. However, before you buy a new one, you need to consider the following factors.
Budget
For any business, small or big, budgeting is crucial. Whenever you’re buying a generator, you need to consider its price and how it’s going to affect your business.
If the price of the generator exceeds the limit of your total budget, it’s going to be a problem for you. Think about your requirements and consider the maintenance cost of the generator and proceed accordingly.
Power Requirement
To find the ideal generator, you need to determine the wattage you need for the appliances you have in your shop. It’s a crucial part that helps to keep your shop running efficiently.
Usually, the power requirement for a small shop is not more than 6kW, so there’s no way you should go for a large generator that provides more than 20kW power.
Fuel Type
One of the most common types of generators is the gas generator because of the availability of the fuel. However, if you want better fuel efficiency, you can go for a diesel generator.
You can also go for a propane generator, which is more environment-friendly but also a bit complex. There is also a battery-powered generator that gets its charge via a solar panel.
However, if you have a good number of electronic devices in your shop, a battery-powered generator won’t be a good idea because this type of generator usually doesn’t give more than 1800 watts.
Fuel Tank
The size of a fuel tank has a lot of impact on how often you need to go for a refueling. The smaller the tank, the more frequently you need to refuel it.
However, a large tank will also make the generator heavy and less portable. Depending on the size of your shop, you may need to buy a generator with a medium tank.
Also, there are two types of fuel tanks – gas and plastic. You’re highly recommended to go for a plastic fuel tank if you want to avoid corrosion issues.
Noise Level
You don’t want to annoy your neighbors with the horrible sounds of the generator. That’s why you need to go for an option that produces less noise.
Normally, generators that provide 4000 watts or higher power supply don’t come with a quieter option. As you’re using a small generator for your shop, you may expect less noise.
Battery-powered generators are quieter than the other options but don’t provide much power. Consider this factor before buying one.
Included Service
Does your generator come with a warranty? If so, for how long? You must check those things before purchasing a generator. Otherwise, you may end up spending a huge amount of fortune due to installation and maintenance.
While buying the generator, also check for the other necessary accessories that come with it, such as oil, funnel, power cord, transfer switch, wheels, etc. Report immediately if any of the items are missing.
Final Thoughts
No matter how small your shop is, you want to run it efficiently. That’s why you need a consistent power supply, and with different kinds of generators available on the market, you don’t need to worry about it.
However, purchasing a good generator requires perfect planning and considerations. Think about the power requirement of your shop, your budget, and the environment around it and go for the right one.