If there’s a gas meter on the side of your house, a natural gas generator is almost always the first option to look at. It can keep running through a multi-day outage without anyone hauling fuel.
What to watch for
Meter capacity
Generator plus furnace, water heater and range must fit the meter’s rating, or you need an upgrade.
Pipe size
Long runs need bigger pipe to hold pressure at full load.
Output rating
Many units make a little less power on natural gas. Compare the NG rating.
Extreme cold
Uri strained the gas system. Properly sized piping lowers the risk of low-pressure shutdowns.
Installation notes
The installer runs pipe from the meter to the generator with a shutoff and sediment trap, pulls a gas permit and gets it inspected. If the utility needs to swap the meter, add some weeks. See the installation guide.
Natural gas vs. propane
| Natural gas | Propane | |
|---|---|---|
| Run time | As long as gas flows | Limited by tank size |
| On site | Utility meter | Tank, buried or above ground |
| Best for | Most Houston subdivisions | Rural lots or homes without gas |
No gas line? Read about propane generators.
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Common questions
Will my gas meter support a generator?
Sometimes. The installer adds up the generator and your other gas appliances. If the total is over the meter’s capacity, the utility upgrades the meter.
Do natural gas generators work during hurricanes?
Gas service usually stays on through storms. Interruptions are uncommon but can happen with severe flooding or damage.