Power security used to be a relatively infrequent concern. But as we grapple with the effects of climate change and aging infrastructure, it’s becoming top of mind for more and more families and individuals.
Keeping the power on for the safety of the family and home is a growing concern worldwide, forcing more and more people to consider backup power sources to prepare adequately for when the power grid goes down.
A Dual Fuel Generator is a reliable power source that’s an excellent last-stand energy backup solution during an extended power outage.
Here are five things to consider before purchasing a Dual Fuel Generator.
1. Fuel Capacity
Today, the desire for cleaner, more sustainable power solutions is stronger than ever. Still, it’s best to have a wide selection of backup sources in the event of a disaster or simply a sustained blackout.
Dual Fuel Generators use two types of backup energy — often gasoline and propane — as emergency substitute energy sources for when your electricity grid goes down.
Size and fuel capacity vary, but most dual fuel generators are compatible with liquified petroleum gas (LPG) tanks and a fuel tank that uses unleaded gasoline. Depending on the model, fuel tanks are usually between 3 gallons (11 liters) and 8.5 gallons (32 liters).
2. Power Output
Power output from dual fuel generators varies enormously. The most powerful generators pump out a maximum of 12,500 watts, while smaller models top out somewhere in the 5,000 watts region.
For reference, the average U.S home uses just shy of 30,000 watts per day, so while these generators can’t realistically power every appliance in your home indefinitely, they can certainly step in in times of emergency and power your most crucial devices.
The number of blackouts is rising in the United States, often due to inclement weather or overstretched energy grids. It’s vitally important that you have a backup power solution for your home that can perform no matter the situation. A blackout can also cut off access to natural gas infrastructure, and natural disasters can make other fuel sources inaccessible.
A dual-fuel generator gets around these issues, providing reliable backup power with multiple fuel types.
3. Noise Levels
One of the significant downsides of traditional generators is they often emit ear-splitting noise. While it’s almost impossible to have a completely silent fossil fuel generator, there have been significant strides forward in recent years.
Some of the smallest models have a decibel level in the mid-40s, roughly the same as normal background noise in the house. Meanwhile, 75 decibels is usually as high as the quietest top-rated large-scale generators go — just a little louder than a vacuum cleaner.
4. Size
Size is another serious consideration for emergency equipment. As an almost universal rule, the smaller the generator, the lower the power output.
It’s possible to find a compact generator the size of a large handbag that weighs around 40 lbs (18 kg), but these usually have a power output of 3,000 watts or less.
Larger generators can weigh as much as 250 lbs (113 kg) and come with wheels for transportation, but they will pump out well over 10,000 watts.
5. Engine Efficiency
Dual fuel generators bridge the gap between traditional diesel chugging generators and clean, renewable energy devices like solar generators. Their engine efficiency is usually much better than generators we would have used just ten years ago.
Dual fuel models are usually more efficient than older generators because they can switch between gasoline, diesel, and/or propane.
How Does EcoFlow Smart Dual Fuel Generator Perform?
EcoFlow Smart Dual Fuel Generator has a power output of between 1600W and 1800W, producing 5.4kWh of power using gasoline or an even greater 20kWh using LPG. The capacity equals a 12.5-hour runtime using a standard canister of LPG, which you can replace once it’s empty.
Engine efficiency is where the Duel Fuel Generator truly shines. As mentioned earlier, it can go up to an impressive output of 20kWh using LPG, which can charge a Delta Max in just 1.8 hours and a Delta Pro in 2.7 hours. The charge rate is 40% faster than many other charging portable power stations.
Its noise level comes in at a respectable 56-67 dB from a seven-meter distance when at full load, roughly around the same as a normal conversation.
There’s little use having state-of-the-art gadgets in such circumstances if they’re also the size of a small car. The EcoFlow Dual Fuel Generator is just 23.5 x 11.8 x 18.7 inches (597 x 300 x 475 mm), about the same size as a small suitcase, and weighs 67.2 lbs (30.5 kg).
If you still need some convincing, look at the Duel Fuel Generator’s performance. It recharges portable stations in less than two hours. Its efficiency means you use less fuel to produce the same amount of energy. Meanwhile, it produces less CO2 than other generators—10% less CO emissions per kWh, to be exact.
Overall, you’ll save around 40% of gas or LPG, with 10% of this coming from EcoFlow ability to use DC-DC charging, and the other 30% is due to our X-Stream charging technology.
Conclusion
A lot is changing within the world of generators at the moment, and dual fuel generators are a huge step forward. With greater efficiency, optimal fuel use, and ever greater power outputs, they are increasingly becoming the generator of choice for many across the U.S.
Modern dual fuel generators can provide a significantly cleaner option than traditional fossil fuel generators while delivering ample power to sustain your home through any emergency.
If you’re in the market for a dual fuel generator or other eco-friendly backup power equipment, head to EcoFlow. Our full selection of portable power stations, solar panels, solar generators, and more has everything to keep you and your family safe through even extended blackouts.