If you’re someone who read the title above and thought, “why is generator cooling a factor in choosing the right generator?” this article is for you. In it, we’ll explain the two types of engine cooling systems and why you might want to choose one or the other for your specific standby power solution.
How Generator Cooling Systems Work
There are two main engine cooling systems for combustion engines. Air-cooled systems dissipate heat using fans to circulate ambient air and release it from vents in your generator’s enclosure. Liquid-cooled systems use a radiator and coolant much like a car’s combustion engine.
Air-Cooled Generators: Pros and Cons
Air-cooled generators have several advantages over their liquid-cooled counterparts:
- Their more efficient heat management makes them preferable for extended or heavy use.
- They are capable of powering larger homes and commercial buildings.
- Without a cooling fan, they have quieter operation.
Generally, air-cooled generators are suitable for moderate power demands (typically up to 22 kW) and low to moderate frequency and duration of use.
On the other hand, these systems have the following disadvantages:
- They are less efficient at handling prolonged outages or high-power loads.
- They are more prone to overheating in extreme heat or continuous operation.
- They have louder operation since they have cooling fans.
Liquid-Cooled Generators: Pros and Cons
The advantages and disadvantages of liquid-cooled engines are almost exactly the converse of air-cooled pros and cons. Their negative attributes are that:
- They have higher upfront cost.
- The cooling system adds maintenance in the form of coolant checks/refilling and ensuring the coolant pump is operational at all times.
- They are larger and therefore require more space and a thick concrete base.
Yet, they have several key benefits over air-cooled engines that may make them preferable for our climates.
- Their more efficient heat management makes them preferable for extended or heavy use.
- They are capable of powering larger homes and commercial buildings.
- Without a cooling fan, they have quieter operation.
- They generally last longer since they run less hot, resulting in less engine wear.
Considerations for the Climate in Central NJ
Many or all locations in our service area experience at least one of the following climate extremes that may factor in your decision of which cooling system is ideal.
1) Hurricanes and Nor’easters:
If you live in an area that tends to experience severe damage or long outages when NJ gets hit with a coastal storm, you may want to consider a liquid-cooled generator. Because they run hotter, oil tends to break down faster in an air-cooled generator; this means that during an extended outage, your generator may require a shutdown for an oil change or to simply lower the temperature.
Liquid-cooled generators are like car engines. They are designed to run for extended periods and therefore are better suited for running continuously during multi-day outages.
2) Extreme Heat (Summer Considerations):
No matter where you live in our area, summer heatwaves are becoming the norm. Air-cooled generators may struggle during these heat waves when an outage lasts longer than a day, since high temperatures reduce their air cooling efficiency.
Liquid-cooled systems handle extreme heat better, making them more reliable during long summer outages. If you need your generator for health reasons or for a business that depends on perishable goods, this option is likely to be better for you.
3) Cold Winters:
Whereas air-cooled generators can experience cold-start difficulties in freezing temperatures, liquid-cooled systems, with their enclosed engine and coolant circulation, start more reliably in cold weather. This may be worth the investment if you live in elevations where the temperature routinely goes below freezing.
Choosing the Right Generator for Your Needs
Overall, an air-cooled system is best for you if:
- You don’t have a lot of circuits or large power demands,
- Your area doesn’t have frequent long-term outages,
- You don’t need to power critical systems,
- You’re OK with shutting down your system for short periods during extended outages in exchange for a lower initial price tag.
A liquid-cooled system is best when:
- You need to power critical systems such as life-saving equipment or critical business equipment,
- You have high-demand power needs or a large number of circuits,
- You are willing to trade cost for the highest reliability and uninterrupted power during extended outages regardless of temperature extremes.
Conclusion
If you’re still not sure which type of generator would be best for your specific situation, reach out to our experts in reliable generator solutions. We can schedule a free consultation with you to make sure you get the best system for your budget and needs.
