Backup Generators for Retailers
Backup generators for retail stores has become an increasing trend due to all the natural or man-made disasters, utility failures, and even planned power outages. While protection from profit loss may be on the forefront of your thoughts, benefits of backup generators include safe working conditions for employees and can also keep cash registers and POS systems active to ensure customers are able to shop for necessities in times of emergency.
You may wonder – is backup power really all that important?
Power outages can negatively impact businesses in all different types of retail sectors. For example, loss of power in gas stations & convenience stores may cause registers and gas pumps to cease operation, which can prevent customers from purchasing gas in times of crisis such as a mandated evacuation or to get portable generators running for disaster recovery. Loss of power in grocery stores and supermarkets may prevent customers from purchasing essentials when a blizzard or superstorm is anticipated or has just finished passing. Pharmacies may not be able to fill vital prescriptions for patients that rely on medications and medication that requires refrigeration could spoil.
A backup generator can make all the difference when it comes to the well-being of a community.
Florida is known for being hard hit with hurricanes, so all gas stations located along designated evacuation routes are required to have enough backup power to keep the gas pumps and cash registers running.
California is often known to have rolling blackouts during the hotter months due to overdraw on the power grid to run air conditioning. Many retailers that have perishable refrigerated goods often have backup generators installed to prevent loss of goods and inventory.
Backup Generator Benefits
While there are many different potential scenarios of power outages, there are many benefits to installing a backup generator for your business. As mentioned above, a major benefit for most businesses would be to avoid a major loss of profits, while another huge benefit would be employee safety. Additional benefits include keeping key systems & equipment running, as well as maintaining relatively normal operations, while keeping productivity up. Loss of reputation is another highlight. As unreasonable as it may be, many customers may expect your business to be open before or after a major storm or natural disaster in order for them to secure necessary supplies to help during the recovery period.
While there are more benefits to having a backup generator, these are some of the biggest reasons why having reliable backup power is so important.
Generator Options
When it comes to generators, there are a few items to keep in mind when starting the process.
Power Output Rating
This is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting a generator. You need to ensure that you are buying the right sized generator that can handle the power needs in the event of a power outage. Properly sizing a generator can be the difference between ensuring all key systems, equipment, and machinery are able to stay up and running or having limited power and taking a hit to your business operations.
As a generalization, for large buildings, business operations, or industrial applications, you would need a bigger generator with a higher power output rating (in kW). It would be best to start off by calculating power requirements and sizing your building for a generator.
Resources for both of these actions can be found here:
Fuel Type & Overall Costs
The biggest factor that influences most purchase decisions is the generator fuel type. The two most common commercial generators used are diesel and natural gas generators. We’ll cover both fuel types briefly:
Diesel Generators
Diesel generators are one of the most commonly installed generators in the market for emergency backup power and standby generator selections. Diesel generators are versatile and can be used across various industries, applications, and require less overall maintenance. The drawback to diesel generators is that their maximum operating runtime is limited to the size of their fuel tank. If you choose to install a commercial diesel generator for your business, be sure to work out a plan to replenish your diesel fuel supply. Be mindful if the plan includes having diesel fuel delivered to your location, as it may be difficult during times of inclement weather or natural disasters that may impede the fuel truck from reaching your destination. It’s also plausible to prepare in advance by securing external diesel fuel tanks that can be stored on-site in the event of an emergency to replenish the generator’s fuel supply, but this may not be a feasible solution for everybody.
Natural Gas Generators
Natural gas generators are another popular generator choice, especially in urban environments. Natural gas generators generally produce less noise, burns fuel cleaner than their diesel counterparts, and can be connected directly to the local gas line, removing the need of fuel storage. The downsides to natural gas generators include more frequent maintenance is required and if utility companies are forced to shut off the gas supply due to a natural disaster, the generator will be rendered virtually inoperable. While this makes natural gas generators seem like a poor choice, there may be options to install a conversion kit on the natural gas generator, so that it can run off of liquid petroleum gas (LPG for short or synonymously known as propane). Propane gas is relatively easy to acquire, as well as easy to refuel & replenish.
Key factors when considering a commercial generator of either type is as follows:
Initial Cost
The upfront cost of purchasing and installing a commercial generator
Fuel Costs
How much fuel the generator consumes/how much fuel is required to run for X number of days
Repair & Maintenance Costs
While both diesel and natural gas generators should be maintained regularly, diesel generators are more attractive for businesses, because they require very little maintenance when compared to their counterparts.
Fuel Storage
Natural gas generators do not need to store fuel, because they are usually connected to the main gas pipeline. As long as there are no interruptions with your utility service, the generator will be able to run and function whenever it is required.
Diesel generators require a tank that is usually attached to the base of unit, known as a diesel base tank. If the generator has a smaller tank, then the generator will have to be refueled more frequently to ensure continued power. This may result in the need to store additional diesel fuel reserves on premises or secure a steady delivery of diesel fuel, including during the event of an emergency.
Safety
Diesel fuel is among the least flammable of all fossil fuels. Due to its liquid state and natural odor, it’s unlikely a diesel leak would go unnoticed. If that occurs, it’s relatively safe to handle and clean up.
Natural gas is highly combustible and can explode if in a concentrated amount and exposed to an ignition source or even a spark. Natural gas is also extremely toxic to inhale in significant quantities.
Noise
Diesel generators produce a lot of noise at high decibel levels that can be dangerous to the human ear, whereas natural gas generators run more quietly.
Both generator types can benefit from a sound-attenuated enclosure to reduce noise.
Autonomy
Will there be someone available on-site, especially during the event of an emergency? If not, it may be best to invest in an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS), which will prompt the generator to kick in seconds within the event of power loss due to power outage. Once power is restored from the main power grid, the generator will be prompted to shut off
Without an ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch), staff will need to be on-site to manually flip the switch on the generator controls to run the generator in the event of a power outage and must also manually turn off the generator once power is restored.
Size
Installing a commercial generator is a project on its own, since commercial generators vary in sizes and it is important to determine if your facility can adequately accommodate a generator on-site. This not only applies to reserving space for a generator room within the facility, but also on-site generator installations located outside of your facility.
Installation
Who will install the generator? The installation process of a commercial generator is very involved, requiring the assistance of a master electrical engineer, as well as other industry specialists that are experienced in logistics, transportation, and unloading of the generator.
Resources for installation of a commercial generator can be found here:
Maintenance
Who will maintain the generator and associated equipment? Generators need to be regularly serviced and maintained to ensure that they will run when you need it most and prevent equipment failure during critical moments such as power loss due to power outage.
After establishing who will be handling generator maintenance, be sure to communicate with the maintenance specialist on a solid maintenance plan. Generators are often poorly maintained and an afterthought between power outages, so be sure to create an actionable service and maintenance plan to ensure that your generator is always ready.
Form Factor
While many businesses opt to have a standby generator installed on-site in the event of emergencies, there may be businesses that are looking for backup generator solutions that cannot accommodate the space for one on-site.
A solution to this dilemma is a portable generator rental unit. Essentially, portable backup generators can be dropped off to your location prior to needing it and stored until the need arises for you to wheel it out for operation. A big reason why we need to stress that storage is necessary is due to need. Often times, if you wait to rent a generator when you need it, it’s usually too late. If there are roadblocks in place or obstacles impeding the road, it will be difficult for a generator rental company to deliver the unit to you. There is also a chance that the generator rental company may run out of rentals that it can provide. If you go this route, it’s important to work out a plan with a trusted generator rental dealer to help streamline the overall process.
That being said, renting a portable generator isn’t simply paying the rental fee and wheeling it to your site. A master electrician will need to come out to your business and rewire the building to allow the portable generator to be connected quickly and begin providing power.
As you can see, there are many benefits to having a backup generator for your retail business or facility, but there are still a number of steps that need to be taken. If you’re looking for a backup generator, please reach out to us at Woodstock Power Company!
You can call or email us at 610-658-3242 or sales@woodstockpower.com
Additionally, you can fill out our Contact Form and one of our representatives will get back to you.
The Woodstock Power Company Experience
We have industry experts that focus on generator sets, with in-depth industry knowledge to help you choose the right generator that fits your needs.
Our experts are ready to assist you from answering any questions you may have about power generator sets to helping you find the best selection in our inventory based on:
- Peak & Average Power Requirements
- Fuel Preference (Natural Gas or Diesel)
- Portability & Stationary Power
- Prime & Standby Generator Requirements
- Available Space & Exhaust Restrictions
Our experts are also able to help coach you on Final Tier 4 regulations and the potential impact it can have on your generators.
We carry only the most top rated new, used, and surplus power generator sets for sale, providing you with a great value generator that will fit your budget.
Our generators have been thoroughly inspected, serviced, and verified, which ensures that you will be buying a quality generator that you can depend on. If a generator is not up to par with industry standards, we make all necessary repairs or modifications, and fully test every generator before we sell. This ensures a full turnkey generator that’s ready to fire up and go!
Due to our wide selection of generator sets, we’re confident that we can find the model that best suits your operational needs.
We also buy used generators in good quality, if you have already upgraded and you’re looking to sell your older model.
Feel free to contact us with any questions, concerns, or inquiries to learn more about the Woodstock Power Company experience and the quality level of products & services we provide.