Generator hire: power, fuel and connecting to your home
Start with the load, not the model
The main mistake in hiring a generator is taking one “of roughly 5 kW”. First list what you need to power and note the power of each device. Count the starting currents too: compressors, pumps, a refrigerator and a boiler use more at start-up than when running. So a generator is taken with a clear margin in power.
The difference between kW and kVA also matters: generators often show the full power in kVA, and the real active power is lower. So ask specifically about active power in kilowatts.
What to put in your request
- Power — how many kW you need, for example 10 kW.
- Fuel — petrol, diesel or gas.
- Phases — single-phase 230 V or three-phase 415 V.
- What to power — a house, a water pump, an AC, power tools, an event.
- Extras — automatic start (ATS), soundproof canopy, cables.
- Period — a day, a week or longer; add how long it will run without stopping.
- Delivery and connection — whether you need an electrician to connect it to the distribution board.
- Deposit — whether you will leave one or want none.
- City, area and budget per day.
Example request
“I need a three-phase diesel generator of 10 kW in a soundproof canopy for a week, to power a house, a water pump and an air conditioner during power cuts. Delivery and connection to the board needed, automatic start preferred. Sydney, budget up to $72 per day.”
Fuel, noise and safety
Petrol generators are lighter, but use more fuel and suit short use. Diesel ones are more economical and handle a long load better. Inverter generators are quieter and give a more stable voltage, which matters for electronics.
Do not put a generator in a closed room: the exhaust contains carbon monoxide. Connecting to a house without a proper changeover switch at the board is dangerous for linemen, so leave it to a specialist. Ask who tops up the fuel and whether a fuel reserve comes with it.
How to compare offers
Look at the real power, the type of voltage, whether a canopy is included, the cable length and the continuous running time. Ask about the fuel consumption per hour to judge the total costs, not only the daily price. Compare delivery and connection separately.
How BlaBlaPrice works
You write one request, and generator owners reply in the chat with the model, price and terms. They see where their offer stands and improve their terms. Contacts are opened only to the one you choose, and you can read how it all works on the page “How it works”. For compact power with no fuel, see power station and inverter hire, and for a building site, equipment hire.
