A gas/propane generator combines an engine and an alternator to produce AC power, typically fuelled by one of four sources:

• Propane: A very versatile fuel, ideal for all homes and particularly suited for generators in remote areas where other fuel types are hard to transport.

• Diesel: Diesel generators burn fuel slowly, which makes them cost-effective, but there are environmental downsides to diesel. Diesel fuel has a higher level of emissions than fuel other options, which may cause issues for passing EPA standards.

• Natural gas: Slightly cleaner than diesel, but still not entirely eco-friendly are natural gas-powered generators. Natural gas generators are great for anyone who has natural gas pipes in their home; otherwise, it’s impossible to store reserves onsite. Natural gas is also known to delay the start times on generators, which can cause temporary interruptions in operations.

• Gasoline: Gas generators are often less expensive to purchase than other models, which makes them appealing to a number of homeowners. However, gasoline-powered generators must be refueled regularly, and in the event of an emergency, gasoline isn’t always easy to find.

Like you will find out below, to run your gas generator for a week or more you will need to have a large amount of fuel.

Like we experience with climate events like to ice storm in the 90's in Canada or with the last hurricane in Florida and North Carolina when all the gas station where closed.

YES, gas station need electric to run their pumps!

So you have to store your fuel... And a lot, at a minimum.

Let say you run a 10 kW gas generator...

• You will burn 5 litters per hours.
• in 24h you will need 120 litters (5*24)
• For 10 days = 1200 litters (10*120)

In this case you will have to store in a safe please, following the regulations, with the agreement of your insurance company, 1200 litters of fuel that will cost you 2400$ (1200*2).

PLUS, don't forget this fuel can't stand for ever, you will have to burn it in max 2 years...

The cost of running a generator varies based on the type of generator and fuel prices.

Gasoline Generators

A 5 kW gas generator burns approximately 0.75 gallons of fuel per hour. If the average price of gasoline in your area is $3 per gallon, running your generator would cost $2.25 per hour or $54 over 24 hours.

Diesel Generators

An 8 kW diesel generator uses about 0.5 gallons of fuel per hour. With diesel priced at $4 per gallon on average, running the generator costs $2 per hour, totaling $48 for 24 hours of continuous power.

Propane Generators

A 6 kW propane generator will burn through roughly 1.42 gallons per hour. An average propane price of $3.50 per gallon translates to $4.97 per hour, adding up to $119.28 for a full day of operation.

Natural Gas Generators

A 7 kW natural gas generator consumes around 118 cubic feet of natural gas per hour. At $20 per thousand cubic feet, fueling a natural gas generators cost $2.36 per hour or $56.64 for 24 hours of use.