Should You Buy a New or Used Generator?
For most businesses, power isn’t optional. It’s the core of daily operations, ensuring critical operations keep moving. When the power goes out, you need a reliable backup generator to protect your business. With so much riding on your generator, you need to make the right decision. Let’s compare new versus used industrial generators so you can secure dependable power faster.
Why Your Generator Choice Matters
A generator directly affects operational reliability, uptime and expenses. A system that fits your facility’s power demands will keep operations running smoothly during prolonged outages. The wrong choice could potentially increase downtime and expenses.
New generators are great for businesses that want advanced features and manufacturer coverage. Used generators deliver equal reliability at lower costs with faster deployment. The choice comes down to budget, availability and capabilities.
How Generator Lead Times Impact Your Business
In industrial and commercial settings, power delays can derail entire projects. Waiting weeks or months for new equipment can increase costs significantly.
To protect your business, make sure you’re reviewing new or used units with shorter lead times. During peak construction periods, new units often have backlogs and shipping delays. Weigh out the benefits of a new unit, such as no hours/never used, which can potentially equate to longer lifespan of these generators against these lead times. Choosing used or surplus units eliminates the lead time risk and reduces upfront costs when compared to new.
Every project or facility has unique power requirements. Choosing a generator that fits your long-term needs and budget protects your business from safety hazards and power concerns.
The Benefits of Buying a New Generator
Investing in a new generator can be a convenient, reliable option. While they’re more expensive upfront, new generators often come with longer lifespan, manufacturer warranties and cutting-edge performance. If you’re looking for the longest reliability or equipment that meets stricter environmental standards, a new generator has years of dependable power. Buy new for:
- Factory warranties: New generators typically come with full manufacturer protection. You’ll be protected if there are generator issues early on.
- Latest technology: Buyers get access to the latest generator advancements. Buy new for the digital interfaces, improved fuel efficiency and advanced monitoring technology.
- Brand-new: New units have zero wear, so you know they can operate continuously in demanding situations.
- Up to standards: Buying new means getting generators designed to comply with current Tier 4 Final emissions regulations.
- Longer life: Investing in a new generator generally means you get a longer life out of the unit. Newer models will work longer with proper service and maintenance, balancing out their high upfront costs.
- Technology: New generators often come with the latest technology for generator controls and operations, which can improve overall quality of life when it comes to service and maintenance. Whether the technology is a digital display or sensor that tracks specific parameters of a generator, newer generator technology is often a plus when it comes to buying a new generator.
The Benefits of Buying a Used Generator
Buying used doesn’t mean sacrificing performance. Used generators benefit from professional care and maintenance. If you source used generators from reputable sellers, you can trust that the generator has been carefully inspected and maintained to meet commercial performance standards. Plus, you skip the high price tag and longer lead time of a new generator.
Choose tested and proven equipment and enjoy these used generator advantages:
- Immediate availability: Used generators are ready to ship and install right away. If you can’t afford to wait, a used generator will protect your facility without the long, new-unit wait.
- Lower upfront cost: Preowned generators are less expensive than new ones. You’ll get reliable power while freeing up finances for other investments.
- Proven performance: Many used generators have seen light service or standby use. They still have years of operational life left, especially with proper maintenance.
- Fully tested: Trusted providers perform load bank testing and have maintenance records to confirm every generator’s performance before sale.
- Flexible use: Used units are great for expansions, backup installations or temporary sites that still require industrial reliability.
Used doesn’t have to mean risky. When purchased from a reputable source, they’re as tested, reliable and industry-compliant as a new generator.
Surplus and Rental Generator Options
If you’re looking for a short-term solution, you can skip buying a generator outright. Projects with limited timelines and changing power needs often don’t require a permanent generator solution. Surplus and rental options are a great, reliable solution without long-term costs.
Surplus Generators
These are new or near-units released from overstock or canceled projects. Surplus units have little to no operating hours, and they’re sold below new equipment pricing. Choose surplus models if you want the benefits of a new generator without factory lead times or high price tags. They offer the same functionality, emission compliance and long lifespan.
Rental Generators
Rental generators are the ideal portable, flexible solution. If you have short-term or seasonal power needs, rentals can bridge your power gap. They’re often used for off-grid jobsites, facility maintenance and emergencies. Look for fully serviced units that meet Environmental Protection Agency standards and have documented maintenance records.
Retrofitting Options
You can upgrade or repurpose your existing system to save money if you already have a generator. Sometimes, current generators have more life in them, and you can partner with a reliable company to retrofit your equipment. Retrofitting restores generator performance without the expense of a new or used unit.
Choosing New vs. Used Generators
Picking between new versus used generators comes down to what fits your operation best. Make sure to consider these factors to get the best value long-term:
- Budget: New generators offer longer reliability but require a higher upfront investment. Used models are less expensive and still provide consistent power.
- Timeline: New equipment can have months of lead time. Used and surplus generators are available immediately. Can you afford downtime? Pick your generator based on your current power needs.
- Application: Critical facilities like hospitals and data centers often need the extra assurance a new generator provides. Construction sites and non-continuous operations can operate used generators easily while saving money.
- Maintenance: All generators must meet strict maintenance requirements to stay compliant. Older units might require more maintenance, so budget for that and source your used generators from a trusted supplier to avoid hidden issues.
- Support: Buying from a reputable used dealer connects you with nationwide service partners for installation, testing and ongoing maintenance. New generators have standard warranties, but may lack the reliable support of used sourcing from trusted partners.
The Woodstock Power Company Experience
Whether you’re buying new, used or surplus equipment, having the right partner makes all the difference. Woodstock Power carries a full range of generator options to meet all your needs.
We have industry experts who focus on commercial backup power 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, 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 prime, continuous and standby power generators, as well as finding the best surplus, new or used generator that best fits your required application.
We carry only the 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 you’ll 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 condition, 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 and services we provide.
610-658-3242
sales@woodstockpower.com
