Generator Running Cost Calculator
Calculate fuel and maintenance operating costs for portable and whole-house standby generators using gasoline, diesel, propane, or natural gas.
Generator Specifications & Fuel
Generator Operating Cost Formula
Total Operating Cost = (Fuel Burn Rate × Fuel Price × Hours) + (Maintenance Reserve Rate × Hours)- Fuel Burn Rate: Gallons per hour (gasoline, diesel, propane) or Therms per hour (natural gas) at typical 50% operating load.
- Outage Duration: Total operating hours during storm blackouts or emergency grid failures.
- Maintenance Reserve: Oil changes (every 50-100 run hours), spark plugs, and air filters (typically $0.30 to $0.75 per operating hour).
Step-by-Step Worked Example
Calculation Steps:
How to Use This Calculator
Assumptions & Limitations
- Burn rates vary significantly between 25% partial load and 100% full capacity.
- Natural gas usage is calculated in standard utility Therms (100,000 BTU).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much fuel does a typical 5,000W to 8,000W generator use per day?
A standard portable gas generator running at 50% load consumes approximately 0.6 to 0.9 gallons of gasoline per hour, totaling 15 to 22 gallons ($50 to $80) per 24 hours of continuous operation.
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