Should You Buy or Rent an Industrial Generator?

One of the most challenging things about selecting a commercial generator in California is deciding on the type of unit you want for your facility. There are several factors to consider, such as how big the generator should be, which type of fuel it will use, and whether or not you want a standby or portable power system. Another question that might come up is whether you should buy or rent an industrial generator. That will all depend on your unique circumstances and preferences.

Buying Vs. Renting a Power System

When you are weighing buying a generator over renting one, your choice will be influenced by several things, including your business’ size and financial capabilities. The first thing that you should do is review the pros and cons of each available option.

Buying an Industrial Generator

Pros

• The generator is always on-site and ready to go in the event your business experiences a power loss. You won’t have to waste time—and lose productivity—by having to find a generator rental in an emergency situation.
• You can shop around to get a unit with the exact features you want that has the appropriate power capacity to handle your facility’s energy demands.
• You own the generator, so you won’t have to worry about signing rental contracts and having to make ongoing payments.

Cons

• The initial cost of a commercial power system can be quite high, which may be a significant factor for a new business.
• With your own unit, you will be responsible for arranging maintenance to ensure optimal performance.
• Over time, wear and tear will naturally occur through the repeated usage of the generator. It may begin to work less efficiently as the years go by.

Renting an Industrial Generator

Pros

• Your California generator rental company will likely handle the unit’s maintenance, so you won’t have to worry about upkeep.
• The costs to rent are substantially less expensive at the outset, which can be beneficial if you don’t see yourself needing to use the system as a frequent backup.
• You can try out different types of generators before choosing one to invest in for your business.

Cons

• Renting a generator for months can be expensive, so you should really only consider rentals for short-term use.
• Since you don’t own the generator, you will need to ensure that it isn’t damaged during use to avoid increased costs.
• You might not be able to get the same level of customization that you could achieve by purchasing your own unit for a specific configuration.

It’s clear that there are distinct advantages to both owning and renting a power system. To make the most informed choice for your business, answering the following questions can help.

How much do you rely on power?

The consequences of a power outage are different for each company. For example, if you are in manufacturing and your processes are time-sensitive, a power outage can lead to expensive disruptions. Buying an automatic generator to come on whenever there is a power failure will be vital to minimizing your losses. On the other hand, if you have a smaller operation that doesn’t demand as much power, it could pay to wait for a generator rental to arrive.

How often do you need backup power?

Most businesses operate off the main power grid. Even so, most power outages are usually unplanned, leaving companies in the dark for prolonged periods. If you only rely on a generator during power outages, renting one could be the most practical option as long as you don’t mind the delay in power restoration. However, if you want to ensure power returns immediately, or if you plan to use the generator to handle small loads quite frequently, it’s a good idea to have your own standby system ready.

Can you handle the cost of maintenance and repairs?

Owning a commercial generator requires that you keep it safe and well-maintained at all times. This means that you will be responsible for additional expenses whenever the generator requires a tune-up or breaks down. You may need replacement parts, or you may need to hire a trained technician to perform a repair. If your budget doesn’t yet allow for these expenses, you should think about generator rental.

With a rental, you can be assured that the unit will arrive in pristine condition, and you’ll be able to use it for the determined period without having to worry about the maintenance and repair costs. If something goes wrong with the unit, the generator company can pick it up from your site, take care of the repairs, and arrange for a replacement rental to be delivered to your site.

What can you afford?

When purchasing a generator, it’s recommended to find one that has the capacity to power everything that you will need during an outage. Standby units can be quite large and run thousands of dollars. While this investment may be worthwhile for many business owners, there may be times when it is more beneficial to rent a generator. Just keep in mind that the cost of renting a unit shouldn’t outweigh the cost of ownership over the long-term.

Where do you need power?

One of the reasons that California business owners decide to rent generators is because their crews will be working in remote areas without easy access to the main grid. A portable rental generator can give you the power that you need without you having to purchase a second generator for your business.

Contact Valley Power Solutions

If you are in the market for a backup generator in California, our knowledgeable team at Valley Power Systems is happy to help. We offer both generator rental and sales for businesses throughout the state. Our staff is committed to providing the best power solutions from the industry’s top manufacturers. As your partner in power, we also handle complete repairs and maintenance of the commercial power systems we provide. Contact us today to find out more about our products and services.

 

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