Do you know what game you're really in?

Generators are really two things:

Insurance: In a standby or backup situation, what a customer really wants from their generator is a reliable fail safe to mitigate losses in the event of a blackout. Price is extremely important as with all insurance, but you also want to make sure your policy has you covered when the storm hits. In the case of generators, a reliable policy equates to choosing a standby generator that is well priced, but is also reliable and has ready access to parts and service locally. Anyone in the generator game can tell you a thousand stories of the cheap generator that didn't start when the blackout came or the machine that sat for 6 months waiting for an obscure engine seal or water pump from overseas.

Electricity: In a prime application, where the generator is the primary source of power, what the customer is really buying is electricity. Just like with your power bill at home, you need to know your cost per kilowatt hour. In a generator, this is made up of the capital or rental cost of the machine, but moreover, by the cost of fuel. This fuel cost will be determined by which engine manufacturer is selected (they vary in fuel efficiency dramatically). Fuel will make up 90% of your power bill. Importantly, unlike your home power bill, if you incorrectly size your generator, you can either be left short of power, or end up producing and paying for too much electricity. If your generator is oversized, you will be paying to produce electricity you don't need and also causing damage to the machine.

The real key in ensuring best value in both of the above applications is using a specialist power business and asking them to earn their keep. You don't go to the doctor and tell him how to treat your illness, so why should something as specialised as power generation be any different? Don't be afraid to ask your generator supplier what they would use in your application if it was their job. If they just give you a list of sizes and prices then move on. Getting your sizing and engine selection right will give you comfort in your insurance and reduce your electricity bill by as much as half.

After that, shop around. Try a few specialists and you might be surprised how much you can save. Any generator specialist worth their salt will invite you to compare them with other suppliers. There are a lot of products and suppliers in power these days so make sure you test the market.

Everybody knows that doing some due diligence when making a purchasing decision is important, but in power it is critical. Consult a specialist and do your homework.