The cost to run a generator varies dramatically by fuel type, et le “cheapest” fuel depends on your local utility rates, how often you run the generator, and at what load. Here’s the data to make an accurate comparison.
Cost per kWh by Fuel Type (2025 NOUS. Average Prices)
| Carburant | Price per Unit | kWh per Unit | Efficacité du générateur | Cost per kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaz naturel | $1.50/CCF | 30.2 kWh/CCF | 25% | $0.20 |
| Diesel | $4.00/gal | 40.1 kWh/gal | 35% | $0.28 |
| Propane (en gros) | $3.00/gal | 26.8 kWh/gal | 25% | $0.45 |
| Propane (cylindre) | $5.00/gal | 26.8 kWh/gal | 25% | $0.75 |
| Essence | $3.50/gal | 36.3 kWh/gal | 25% | $0.39 |
Compare to grid electricity at $0.16/kWh national average — all generator fuels cost 1.5-5× more per kWh than grid power. Générateurs are for backup, not primary power.
Annual Cost by Usage Scenario
| Scénario | Hours/Year | Avg Load | Gaz naturel | Diesel | Essence | Propane (Bulk) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency only (2 outages × 8hrs) | 16 | 5kW | $16 | $22 | $31 | $36 |
| Frequent outages (8 × 12hrs) | 96 | 5kW | $96 | $134 | $189 | $216 |
| Alimentation primaire hors réseau | 4,380 | 5kW | $4,380 | $6,132 | $8,641 | $9,855 |
| Chantier (daily use) | 2,000 | 3kW | $1,200 | $1,680 | $2,340 | $2,700 |
Hidden Costs Beyond Fuel
- Oil consumption: Gasoline generators need oil changes every 50-100 heures ($8-15 per change). Diesel generators every 250-500 heures ($20-40 per change with larger sump)
- Fuel stabilizer: Gasoline requires $5-10 per tank for STA-BIL if stored more than 30 jours
- Spark plugs and air filters: $15-30 per year for gasoline generators
- Propane tank rental: $50-150/year for a permanent tank
- Natural gas meter upgrade: $0-2,000 one-time if your meter can’t handle the additional load
Astuce Huaquan: For applications requiring extended runtimes, diesel generators offer the lowest total cost per kWh when fuel efficiency, maintenance intervals, and fuel storage life are all factored in. Explorez les générateurs diesel Huaquan for the most cost-effective long-term backup power solution.
