{"id":1333,"date":"2019-05-13T11:00:27","date_gmt":"2019-05-13T15:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aprofessionalheatingandair.com\/blog\/?p=1333"},"modified":"2026-06-29T10:35:44","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T14:35:44","slug":"whats-the-best-fuel-type-for-a-whole-house-generator","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aprofessionalheatingandair.com\/blog\/whats-the-best-fuel-type-for-a-whole-house-generator\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s the Best Fuel Type for a Whole-House Generator?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"natural-gas-generator\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Owning a whole-house generator requires planning<\/a> for preparedness. As such, you\u2019ll need to take your generator\u2019s fuel type into consideration as part of your preparations. Each fuel type has its own benefits and drawbacks; some of them might be hindrance to your plans while others could be an advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus, if your generator needs repair<\/a>, you\u2019ll want to understand all of the risks associated with its fuel type. For example, diesel is actually one of the least flammable fuel sources, while a fuel like natural gas can be dangerous if the gas lines become compromised. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, all these factors and more are things that you\u2019ll want to discuss with an expert of generator repair and installation in Hammond, LA.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the best fuel type for a whole house generator?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The best fuel type for a whole house generator depends on your home\u2019s fuel access, backup power needs, and storage preferences. Natural gas is often the most convenient if gas lines are available, propane offers long shelf life and cleaner operation, and diesel is efficient for heavy, long-term use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the meantime, we\u2019ll tell you about some of the most common\nfuel types used with generators:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Diesel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s one of the cheapest fuel sources you can use with your\ngenerator. It\u2019s even more efficient than using propane and natural gas.\nHowever, it\u2019s not exactly going to be the most convenient fuel source to\nutilize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diesel can be more easily obtained even during a disaster,\nsince it\u2019s a fuel source commonly used by the military and farming operations.\nHowever, this is mostly an afterthought, because most homeowners are stockpiling\nfuel instead of search for it after the fact. And that can be difficult,\nbecause diesel has a shelf life of about 18 to 24 months\u2014you\u2019ll need to cycle\nit out regularly to ensure that you have enough when it\u2019s needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diesel engines run better when running a big load for a long\ntime, and they\u2019ll typically last longer than propane and natural gas engines. But\nat the same time, some states prohibit diesel engines from running for too many\nhours per year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Propane<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Propane is like the quieter, cleaner burning cousin of\ndiesel. They both require storage in a storage tank connected to your generator\nand they both can be delivered to your home. However, propane is going to be\nmore expensive than diesel. The cost of the generator, itself, can also be a\nlittle bit higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, those prices increase are all in exchange for a\nfuel type that is compliant with emissions, noise regulations, and a longer\nshelf life. This adds a lot of convenience that you just won\u2019t get with a\ndiesel system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natural Gas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Natural gas is certainly one of the most convenient fuel sources that you can use for your whole-house generator, especially when a generator fits<\/a> your home\u2019s needs and your home is already connected to gas lines. And that\u2019s a big emphasis on \u201cif\u2026\u201d One of the biggest reasons people don\u2019t <\/em>use natural gas is simply because their area doesn\u2019t have access to it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do have access to it, however, there are plenty of\ngood reasons to use it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n