The generator market is still not anywhere close to saturation. Research shows only 3% of homes have standalone backup generators. It also shows that only 12% of homes have a portable generator.
From that alone, we can tell that the air-cooled generator has a great future. More people are getting aboard the backup generator bandwagon.
Is an air-cooled generator up to the task?
To know whether an air-cooled generator is good enough, you must know how hot it gets. Its operating temperature is 40 degrees Celsius or 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can use air-cooled generators for household backup. You can also use it for small businesses. Because of their small size, some people wonder whether they have a future. That’s what you are going to find out in this short post.
There are profound impact changes in global warming and other phenomena. Power blackouts are widespread. Storms, hurricanes, and other severe weather mishaps happen all the time.
Most people recognize the need to have some power backup for their homes. Using a generator is one of them.
You don’t need a big diesel gen-set unless you are running a factory or another big business. A single or three-phase air-cooled generator will meet your needs very well.
How an air-cooled generator works
This type of generator works by one of two simple methods. One, it can cool down, using the air around. To do this, you should place it with good ventilation, where there is a lot of air circulating.
The cool air surrounding the generator absorbs the hot air that it generates. Since the cooler air from the surrounding is more than the hot air that the machine causes, it cools down.
By design, the air-cooled generators have an open frame. Some can have a casing with perforations to enable the air to get in and out.
The second type of air-cooled generator is the one that comes with a fan that blows air. When the generator starts to run, it powers the fan to start running. It blows air over the engine to cool it.
Do you live in a neighborhood that experiences high temperatures? You need the type of generator that has a cooling fan. A passive air-cooling generator is appropriate for areas that don’t get high heat levels.
The prospects for air-cooled generators
Most people ask: Are air-cooled generators suitable? These generators do an excellent job of backing up your power even over extended periods. With the proper care and maintenance, yours can last a long time.
Because of the efficiency of these generators, they are not going anywhere. Many homeowners in the USA, China, Canada, Europe, and other places will continue to use them. That is what the data shows. The prospects for this type of power backup look good.
Air-cooled generators are here to stay
These generators are so efficient and affordable. They seem to get famous by the day, and the growth prospects for their market from 2021 to 2028 look good. Many people find these generators appropriate for their home needs with advancing technology.
The materials used to make these generators are becoming more varied and long-lasting. Modern generators have bigger power output. They provide good backup power for households and small businesses.
All backup generators, including oil and water-cooled ones, are here to stay. It all comes down to the industry needs vs the climate changes.
Today, the weather is very unpredictable. Most people want their small power backup at home. The air-cooled generators are handier more affordable for many people.
Air-cooled generators are more affordable. But they are not as long-lasting as the liquid-cooled ones.
These are the option generators for residential and small business power backup needs. With good care, they can last a considerable number of years.
The market share will grow
What makes the air-cooled generators so appealing to many people? There are many things, but one of them is the ease of maintenance. Liquid-cooled generators have a complex design and technology. They need more frequent maintenance and care.
Wherever you can save some money and still get a working item, you will go there.
When a generator uses liquids for cooling, the coolant runs out. It needs frequent replacement, especially if you run your generator.
Liquid-cooled generators also have more accessories and parts that wear out with time. These GenSets also need expert care. This is why most people looking for a simple power backup avoid them.
With air-cooling, the technology is simpler and easier to understand. Even when running it, the preparation time is shorter. You need to check the oil levels. You also need to check the voltage of the batteries.
Because of the simpler technology, the air-cooled units are cheaper to buy. They are so popular with many people, and their demand can only grow in the future.
Generators that use liquid coolants will create a mess where you place them. When the coolant gets hot or expands, and if it finds the smallest space, it will start leaking. You have to clean more often, and the level of maintenance is higher.
The technology will get better
The technology for making the air-cooling generators will get better in the future.
Most air-cooled engines have a power output of 8 to 20 Kilowatts. While this is small, you cannot use it for heavy backup works. It still helps.
It might look too low when you compare it with the water-cooled generators. The latter generate between 25 and 60 Kilowatts.
The air-cooled will become more extensive and efficient with advancement. There are large output air-cooled units, Which can serve small-scale industrial usage.
Engineers are working to create more efficiency out of these generators. There are many notable improvements.
One of the areas where some improvements will come includes the fans. These have to be enough to whip more air on the engine.
The only downside is that these fans suck too much power from the engine. Changing their design to use less energy can leave more ability to run your appliances.
The air-cooled engines do not have pockets of water to cool them. The generators can be smaller and more powerful.
Today, some air-cooled generators have power outputs of up to 22kW. GenSet manufacturers are working hard to make the air-cooled units smaller. They will be more efficient and have a higher power output.
Air-cooled generators will become more prevalent in cold areas
Do you live in the colder areas in China, Alaska, and Siberia? You are likely to buy a generator that uses air for cooling.
There is a simple reason for this. The generators that use liquids for cooling have one problem – the liquids freeze. If the coolant freezes inside the engine, there can be severe repercussions.
The pipes that carry the coolant around the engine can burst. That will lead to more severe and costly repairs.
While you can add antifreeze to the coolant tank, this is an added cost. It means that such a generator is costly to run.
Another benefit of running a generator that cools by air in cold areas is that it starts. Coolant generators take much longer to start.
Lack of coolant does not mean that there are no freezing dangers for these generators. Before storage during winter, empty the fuel tank and the oil. You can also keep the generator in a room to maintain room temperature.
Generators that use air for cooling are easier on maintenance, starting, and running. With better materials and technology, these generators can only get better.
The run-time will increase
One of the questions that most people ask is: How long can an air-cooled generator run?
The running time of a generator depends on many things. One of them is the size of the fuel tank.
Another factor is where you place it. Since it uses air to cool down, it needs to stay in an open space where there is a lot of air circulation.
An air-cooled generator that uses fans to create air movement over the engine can run longer. The passive air-cooling generators run for a shorter time, especially in hot weather.
The general idea is to have a backup generator that can give you a consistent 8 hours of running time. if you can find one that can give you a longer runtime, get it.
Three-phase air-cooled generators such as the JDE 7500 Series can run longer. This one can also run more appliances at the same time.
A three-phase, an air-cooled generator can meet your home needs, small office, and camping.
Conclusion
Environmental policies are affecting the appliances that we can buy. One thing that will be in the market for a long time is a generator. The air-cooled generator has a great future for a small office, camping, and home power backup needs.
Factories, schools, hospitals, and supermarkets need the larger liquid-cooled diesel GenSets.
Minimal maintenance needs, small size, and few accessories make the air unit best.
Manufacturers are working hard to create air-cooled units. Soon, we will have units that can run longer than 8 hours. The price of generators is set to go lower as more people shift to alternative power. Alternative power sources include solar and wind power.
The projections for up to 2028 are great. Market trends for generators that cool by air show the demand for the same will continue growing.
