If you’re living in a place where blackouts or emergency power cuts are a common phenomenon, getting a generator should be a good option. A generator can help you keep on producing power and power up your home, RV, or area when the power is out. However, when you’re choosing a generator, the first thing to consider is fuel choice. Propane and gasoline are the most common fuel options for generators.
If you’re living in a dense neighborhood or have noise obligations, the first problem you must confront is the generator’s noise level. You may have come across opinions that propane engines produce less noise than the gasoline generators. So, the question becomes, how are propane generators quieter than gas? Is it worth it getting the extra load of a propane tank over gas? Stick to the article to be sure that you’re making the right choice!
Are Propane Generators Quieter Than Gas?
Getting a generator and keeping the noise level in mind can put you in a big confusion, especially while deciding the fuel choice. If you’re wondering, are propane generators quieter than gas, here are the things you should know to decide the fuel choice:
Gas-operated generators
Gas generators are the most common fuel option for generators, but there are some back draws about them. Usually, the reason why people get the gas-operated generators is the fuel consumption rate; not the noise level. The gas generator will get you a longer backup time and BTUs per gallon of fuel. However, the toxicity emission level for the environment and the noise level is much higher with the gas generators. Gas generators have a noise level of anywhere 68 to 100 DBs, which can be annoying for some.
Propane-operated generators
On the other hand, propane-operated generators come with a negative thing when it comes to fuel consumption efficiency. It will get you half the consumption ratio compared to the gas-operated generators. However, when it comes to the noise level and toxicity emission, propane generators are way more efficient than the gas generators. It will get you about 60 to 40 DBs, even less than that if it’s an inverter generator you’re working with.
How Do I Make My Generator Quieter?
If you’re living in a place where the noise level is restricted, you should consider making the generator quiet. The same thing applies if you’re camping in a remote area where you want to run your generator quieter for less disturbance. Here are some guides and instructions that you can use for making your generator quieter:
Getting the right generator
If you don’t have a generator yet, getting the right type of generator is the first thing to do for a quieter operation. The quietest kind of generator is the one with inverter technology in it, mainly if it uses propane as fuel. Inverter generators are relatively pricier, though, but the investment is well worth it, especially if you’re getting it for RV or camping. These generators come with significantly smaller footprints so that it will be more convenient for mobility with handles as well.
Get the right wattage.
The noise level of the generator depends on the power, which is the wattage of it. Calculate how much wattage you need for your house or RV to run them smoothly. If you need 1500 watt to run the house, getting a 4000-watt generator will be both a waste of money and a higher noise level. When you need 1500 watt for your purpose, getting a 2000 watt generator can be an excellent way to go with.
Set the generator further
Setting up the generator further from the house or camping space could be a great way to reduce the noise upfront. The best option for placing a generator is at least 23 feet away from the house. Use a long extension cable to connect your home circuit to the current outlet of the generator. Another good result of placing it out is, you can reduce the risk of getting exposed to Carbon Monoxide.
Point the exhaust away
The excessive sound from the generator comes out of the exhaust, which way it’s facing. Pointing the generator exhaust away from your working or living place should reduce the sound significantly. Especially when you’re placing the generator further and pointing the exhaust away, the noise level can reduce without taking any other steps.
Get it a rubber base isolation
Getting your generator a rubber base or a set of rubber feet can significantly reduce vibration to eliminate the noise level. When you place the generator on a hard, especially the wooden floor, the intense vibration increases the noise level. Isolating the vibration using rubber or foam feet can help you reduce the generator’s noise level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most frequently asked questions about propane and gasoline generators that you might find interesting:
Are propane generators more efficient?
How long do propane generators last?
How long will a generator run on a 20lb tank of propane?
Final Thought
Using a generator can solve a lot of problems when you’re camping out or getting through a power cut. No matter where you’re using it, the noise level of the generator can be a big matter of consideration. For the best output, you must know which type of fuel option you should go for your next generator.
Whether you choose propane or a gas generator, the noise will be there, but you should choose the one that makes the least noise. So, if you’re wondering, how are propane generators quieter than gas generators, it’s the fuel efficiency. It will be best to get an inverter propane generator if you must go for a lower noise level.
