The cost to run a generator varies dramatically by fuel type, да “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 УАШ. Average Prices)
| Топливе | Price per Unit | kWh per Unit | Генераторын пайдалыкше | Ик кВтчлан роскот |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Пӱртӱс газ | $1.50/CCF | 30.2 kWh/CCF | 25% | $0.20 |
| Дизель | $4.00/ӱдыр | 40.1 kWh/gal | 35% | $0.28 |
| Пропан (bulk) | $3.00/ӱдыр | 26.8 kWh/gal | 25% | $0.45 |
| Пропан (цилиндр) | $5.00/ӱдыр | 26.8 kWh/gal | 25% | $0.75 |
| Бензин | $3.50/ӱдыр | 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. Генератор-влак are for backup, not primary power.
Annual Cost by Usage Scenario
| Сценарий | Шагат/Ий | Avg Load | Пӱртӱс газ | Дизель | Бензин | Пропан (Пуртеныт) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency only (2 outages × 8hrs) | 16 | 5кВт | $16 | $22 | $31 | $36 |
| Frequent outages (8 × 12hrs) | 96 | 5кВт | $96 | $134 | $189 | $216 |
| Off-grid primary power | 4,380 | 5кВт | $4,380 | $6,132 | $8,641 | $9,855 |
| Чоҥымо вер (daily use) | 2,000 | 3кВт | $1,200 | $1,680 | $2,340 | $2,700 |
Hidden Costs Beyond Fuel
- Нефтьым кучылтмаш: Gasoline generators need oil changes every 50-100 шагат паша ($8-15 per change). Diesel generators every 250-500 шагат паша ($20-40 per change with larger sump)
- Fuel stabilizer: Gasoline requires $5-10 per tank for STA-BIL if stored more than 30 кече
- 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
Хуакуань каҥаш: 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. Huaquan дизель генератор-влакым шымлыза for the most cost-effective long-term backup power solution.
