What are Some Common Mistakes Businesses Make When Choosing a Generator?

Consider how reliant businesses have become on electricity these days. Having backup generators has just become common sense.

However, if you don’t take the time to consider what generator you buy, you may get yourself into a bit of trouble. Picture this: you buy a 20kVA generator for your workshop, and there’s a fault on the main power line just after you’ve installed it. You get it running, and suddenly, it trips?

As you inspect to seek out the issue, you realize that it’s too small for your workshop’s power requirements. Now what?

This is a common mistake we’ve encountered with business owners, and that’s why we’ve put together a list of common mistakes and their solutions to help you avoid doing the same thing.

Not Doing Their Research

Generators are not something you want to buy impulsively. Buying a generator requires a decent amount of research and thought behind the scenes before you decide.

Whether you’re buying for a small or large business, there are a few factors to consider, such as brand, fuel type, load capacity, and size. Using the example in our introduction, without research, you might just end up buying a generator that is too small for the amount of power you need.

Another mistake people make is buying a generator from an unknown brand or supplier. While we don’t want to knock up-and-coming generator brands, buying from a reputable dealer comes with its own guarantees, one of which is its reputation.

If you purchase from an unknown brand, they might use inferior parts and break sooner. You can avoid this mistake by simply taking the time to check what size generator you need, considering your budget, and looking for reputable brands.

Allowing Price to Dictate Their Decisions

If you ask any successful businessman, they’ll tell you to invest in what works, not in what’s the best price. While you can find these two attributes in one at times, they usually work against one another. Normally, items that cost considerably more are of a higher quality, and those that are cheaper are generally of a lesser quality.

We urge you to avoid buying based on price alone. Don’t spend to save money, only to have problems down the line that result in you spending more. Likewise, don’t go for the most expensive generator when you could get one within the middle price bracket that’ll offer you similar performance and quality.

You want to go for the best price that offers reliability, quality, and performance. You can find this by doing a little research.

Purchasing Second-Hand Generators with No Service History

There’s nothing wrong with buying a second-hand generator that’s in perfect condition. However, be aware of the risks of buying secondhand. For one, you’re making a gamble. The generator might look like it’s in pristine condition on the outside, but you don’t know what the insides look like.

In addition to that, buying new comes with warranties and customer service if you have any issues with the generator. When you go the second-hand route, if something happens, it’s up to you to sort it out. Check that it has a service history, too.

If the price of a new generator is the issue, then consider looking for a refurbished generator that’s sold by a reputable company. One that offers a warranty with the generator and can guarantee that it’ll perform its function well.

If you’ve found a decent generator second-hand, consider asking the seller to have it checked by a professional before you buy it. This will ensure that you don’t buy a faulty generator.

Installing It Incorrectly

Installing a generator incorrectly could cause you some massive headaches and be costly to correct, too! For example, if you have 500 kva generators installed for your factory and they get the wiring wrong, the generator could be severely damaged when switched on, and it could cause damage to your building’s electrics as well.

Considering how much it would be to replace a 500 kVA generator, getting it right the first time is extremely important, right? So, when you have a generator installed, it’s best to have it done by a professional and for them to triple check that every part of the installation process is done correctly so that there are no issues for when the generator turns on.

Not Getting Advice from An Expert in The Field

Finally, many businesses like to make decisions by themselves, which is okay, but you could avoid the hours of research and calculating power needs if you chat with a professional and hire them to sort out your backup power needs.

When you consult a professional for a generator, you’re not just choosing the right generator for your business, but you’re also getting their expertise and experience. From choosing the generator to installing it, they can walk the whole road with you.

Final Thoughts

Buying a backup generator for your business is a significant investment that requires much consideration and forethought.

Consider the mistakes others have made and ensure that you avoid making the same mistakes. This will help you choose the right generator the first time around.