Eco Friendly Electricity At Home With A Natural Gas Power Generator

Natural gas is one of the least polluting of the fossil fuel derived power sources which makes it ideal for the ecologically aware consumer who is looking for an alternative power source to fuel a generator. A natural gas power generator has the lowest carbon footprint of all the generator types, emitting 30% less than its closest rival.Natural gas home generators for power outages are becoming more and more popular as electricity supply chains across the globe come under increasing pressure. Rising temperatures in North America have placed enormous strain on the power grid during high summer when demand for air conditioning peaks at mid day. During these periods blackouts have become commonplace and natural gas generators have be come the backup of choice wherever this fuel source is available. Natural gas canisters are commonly available and its attractiveness as a fuel source is further enhanced due to its low cost. However the consumer should be aware of the natural gas vs propane debate. Propane is cheaper than natural gas and is also widely available so the consumer should choose carefully.Propane and natural gas are supplied in canisters that closely resemble each other, however care should be taken to store these gases separately and in clearly marked containers as they are not interchangeable and a mix up can have extremely serious consequences. The fuel for natural gas generators is usually methane, which is a by product of petroleum production. The methane has been cleaned of any impurities that might cause the gas to malfunction. After this cleaning process natural gas is odorless, however at a later stage in the manufacturing process and additive is added prior to bottling. This additive has a unique ‘rotten egg’ smell which allows consumers to identify when the gas cylinder is leaking, usually through one of its seals. Should this occur consumers are advised to disconnect the cylinder from the natural gas generator and contact the retail outlet from which the cylinder was purchased, to arrange for collection. On no account should the cylinder be transported in a closed vehicle as this might lead to unconsciousness on the part of the driver.Natural gas generators are also becoming more popular due to adverse climatic conditions which seem to be increasing in both frequency and severity. In those areas such as the mid western United States where tornadoes are common natural gas generators have seen brisk sales in the last few years. Natural gas generator sales in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina also saw a marked uptick. When making the purchase decision between natural gas and the other fossil fuel options it is important to take into account what the natural gas power generator is going to be used for. If it is for simple tasks like light generation on a camping trip or for use with power tools then the output can be supplied by what are called ‘pocket generators'. If however the consumer is looking at the class of natural gas home generators for power outages then the output will have to be considerable more in order to make sure that all the major appliances in the home will function correctly if there is a power outage.The consumer's choice on whether or not a natural gas power generator is right for his or her home will be motivated by cost, availability and eco friendliness. Whichever generator is chosen, natural gas has many advantages over other types of fuel.