Power disruptions cost the U.S. economy between $67 billion and $121 billion annually. For project managers and business owners, a single outage can halt operations, damage equipment and compromise safety.
By renting a generator, your business can keep things running in critical moments. This generator rental guide will help you determine when renting is the right choice, what benefits it offers and how to select the right-sized unit for your application.
The High Cost of an Interrupted Power Supply
When the power goes out, the financial impact extends beyond immediate inconveniences. Major power outages cost commercial and industrial clients an average of $6,031 per event, but that figure only tells part of the story. Downtime can cost businesses as much as $9,000 per minute, depending on the industry.
Extended outages also threaten productivity, temperature-sensitive inventory and critical data systems. Manufacturers face equipment damage when power surges occur during restoration. For customer-facing businesses, outages can erode trust and send clients to competitors.
Having a temporary power solution protects your operations, preserves your reputation and ensures continuity when the grid fails. A power system designed for your specific needs can make all the difference.
When Does Renting a Generator Make Sense?
Understanding when to rent generators helps you save money on your power needs. Rentals deliver maximum value in the following scenarios:
Temporary Power for Planned Projects
Remodeling, construction and outdoor events all share one thing in common — they have defined start and end dates. Buying a generator for a weeks-long project means investing in something you may not need long-term.
Temporary power rentals are the perfect solution for short-term applications. You get the power you need without the financial burden of ownership. Examples include:
- Construction sites: Powering cranes, tools, temporary offices and site lighting before permanent hookup.
- Renovations and retrofits: Maintaining power while upgrading electrical panels.
- Special events and remote projects: Providing power for concerts, remote construction or infrastructure work far from grid access.
- Site security and setup: Powering security cameras, site trailers and temporary bathrooms.
- Utility shutdowns: Supplying power during scheduled utility upgrades.
Emergency Power for Unplanned Outages
Unexpected outages call for rapid response. Storm damage and equipment failure can leave facilities without power for days. With rental generators, you can restore operations quickly without waiting for new equipment to arrive.
Common emergency scenarios include:
- Unexpected transformer or grid component shutdowns.
- Public Safety Power Shutoffs during high-fire weather conditions.
- Natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes or wildfires.
- Severe weather events where ice, snow or high winds damage infrastructure.
- Vehicles hitting utility poles or knocking down power lines.
- Equipment malfunction that prevents power transfer to your facility.
Meeting Seasonal or Fluctuating Demand
Certain industries experience predictable peaks in power supply. For example, retail stores require more power during the holidays. Renting lets you supplement your existing capacity only when needed. This way, you avoid the cost of maintaining large equipment year-round.
Industries with fluctuating demand include:
- Agriculture: Farms need power for peak irrigation seasons, equipment and greenhouse climate control.
- Entertainment: Festivals, outdoor concerts and film sets demand temporary, high-capacity power.
- Construction: New sites without grid connections and mobile equipment need portable power.
- Manufacturing: Changing production quotas call for generators to prevent material loss.
- Tourism: Ski resorts require seasonal support for lift operations, especially during extreme weather.
- Food storage: Retail sectors need power during harvest seasons to maintain cold storage.
Why Should You Rent a Generator?
Here’s what makes renting a smart choice for your operation:
Avoid High Up-Front Capital Investment
Purchasing a commercial generator requires an immediate cash investment. For intermittent power needs, this investment rarely makes financial sense. Instead of tying up thousands of dollars in equipment you’ll use occasionally, renting lets you keep that capital working for your business.
Renting turns a large capital expense into a minor operational cost. You’ll only pay for the time you actually need the generator, freeing up capital for core business spending.
Eliminate Maintenance, Repair and Storage Costs
Generator ownership comes with hidden ongoing expenses. Preventive maintenance protects your investment, but skipping it comes at a high cost. Battery issues alone are a major cause of start failures.
When you rent, your provider handles service and inspections. Lower repair frequency means lower spending over time. You’ll avoid the expense of establishing service contracts, tracking maintenance and storing equipment between uses.
Maintain Predictable Operational Expenses
Rental fees are a fixed, predictable cost, making project budgeting straightforward. You’ll know exactly what your power costs will look like before a project begins. However, ownership introduces financial uncertainty. A sudden failure can mean thousands in unplanned repairs at the most inconvenient time.
Predictable expenses simplify financial planning. Expert support, on-demand availability and precisely sized equipment reduce maintenance emergencies and costly downtime.
Access the Latest, Most Efficient Technology
Recent technological improvements and fleet modernization have strengthened the value proposition of power rentals. New generators offer improved fuel efficiency, lower emissions and advanced features such as telematics and remote monitoring.
When you rent, you access these innovations without having to constantly reinvest in new equipment. If a given generator isn’t meeting the cut, you can easily upgrade to a newer model. As your business evolves, you can select from newly acquired equipment that meets your exact requirements.
Scale Power up or Down
Project requirements change. A job that initially needs 50 kilowatts might expand to require 100 kilowatts. Rental flexibility lets you swap units as your power needs evolve.
When you rent a generator for standby power, you can choose between various unit sizes, models, capabilities and power outputs. With the flexibility to switch generators when needs change, you’ll always have the right backup power solution.
Get Expert Support and Faster Deployment
Purchasing a generator often means handling delivery, installation and troubleshooting on your own. Rental services include expert support from start to finish. If your generator malfunctions, skilled technicians will respond quickly to fix the issue or deliver a replacement.
If the unit you’re renting isn’t powerful enough, a service team picks up your current generator, drops off a properly sized replacement and handles all the connections.
How to Choose the Right Generator Size for Your Application
A correctly sized generator can handle your load and still run efficiently. Follow these steps to determine your power requirements:
- Identify wattage: Make a list of the items that need power. Locate their running and starting watts on manufacturer labels.
- Calculate the load: Add up the total running watts of all items.
- Add starting watts: Add the single highest starting wattage to your total.
- Use a safety margin: Add about 25% to account for future needs and prevent running at maximum capacity.
Our Power Hub can help you size a generator that matches your specific application.
Get a Reliable Power Solution With Thompson Machinery
Generator rentals offer a flexible, low-risk solution. You’ll gain access to the latest technology, technician support and freedom to scale as project demands change.
Thompson Machinery provides reliable generator rentals with service and maintenance so you can focus on your work instead of equipment management. Whether you need an emergency backup or temporary power for a project, our team is ready to help you choose the right solution.
Speak with our team or request a quote today to experience the Thompson Machinery difference.