We all know the age-old adage: it’s better to be safe than sorry. But when it comes to generators, does it make practical sense to keep one around at all times? After all, they’re meant to be a temporary source of power that you can turn to in case of emergencies. So does it make practical sense to buy one or to only rent one on occasion?
If you’re not sure if generators for hire will be enough to cover your needs, don’t worry. Read on for some factors that you should consider before making a decision.
Frequency of Use
The more often you use your generator, the higher your cost savings will be. So if you’re planning to use it for any long-term projects, purchasing one will be cheaper in the long run. If you happen to live in an area with frequent blackouts, it may also be better to buy. That way, you’ll always have immediate access to emergency power.
Generally speaking, if you expect to use it over several months or years, you’re better off buying your own. But if you’ll only use it once or twice a year—such as for annual events—it may be more practical to hire only as needed.
Generator Maintenance
Owning a generator comes with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. For one thing, you’ll be responsible for keeping the unit in good condition even when you’re not using it. And if you go the DIY route, it can eat up a lot of your time and energy.
On the other hand, generator rental companies always keep their units well-maintained. This way, they’re always on-call and ready to go. They also offer excellent customer support for the duration of the rental. Should anything go wrong with your unit, you can easily call up the company for help. And before you know it, their service technicians will be on the way to repair or replace the unit.
Rent vs. Purchase Price
More often than not, generator hires cost much less when compared to purchasing one. You also won’t have to cover the costs of storing or maintaining it, as the rental company will do all that for you. So if you’ll only use it for a few days, renting might save you quite a bit of money.
To find out if you’re getting a good deal by going for a rental, calculate how much it’ll cost you to hire a unit. Then, compare it against the cost of purchasing one. If the rental price ends up being close to the purchase price, then it may make more sense to buy a unit instead.
Generator Size and Model
When buying a generator, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution. Hence, it’s impossible to buy the right size unit for every possible use case. To make matters worse, there are always new generator models released every year. This means your unit could become obsolete only a few months or years into use.
On the other hand, generator rental companies tend to invest in the latest units. That way, they can ensure consistent and top-notch quality service. Generator hires also allow you to select from a wide range of models. With their help, you’ll be sure to choose the correct model for every situation.
The Bottom Line
The decision to hire or buy a generator depends on what you prioritize the most. Is it more important for you to get the best bang for your buck? Or would you rather have the peace of mind of a ready-to-go emergency power source? As long as you closely study the pros and cons, you should be able to choose a solution that best suits your specific case.
