“Due to massive power outages in Ukraine, many citizens began to use generators to power household appliances. RBC-Ukraine writes about this. The cost of electricity received from generators is significantly higher than the state tariffs, which amount to UAH 4.32 per kilowatt-hour, and at night – UAH 2.16. This has sparked interest in the economics of using generators, particularly their power and efficiency. By types of fuel”, — write on: ua.news
Due to massive power outages in Ukraine, many citizens began to use generators to power household appliances.
RBC-Ukraine writes about this.
The cost of electricity received from generators is significantly higher than the state tariffs, which amount to UAH 4.32 per kilowatt-hour, and at night – UAH 2.16. This has sparked interest in the economics of using generators, particularly their power and efficiency.
According to the types of fuel, generators are divided into gasoline and diesel. Gasoline models, usually cheaper, are suitable for short-term operation, while diesel models are suitable for long-term loads. However, the cost of electricity produced from generators can reach 30 hryvnias per kilowatt, which makes its use economically impractical for many.
What are generators?
According to the type of fuel, electric generators are divided into gas, gasoline and diesel. The most popular of them are the last two types. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. It is advisable to choose a gasoline generator if you need a small power and the device will not work all the time. They are usually cheaper than diesel ones.
It is more appropriate to use diesel generators for long-term loads, because they consume less fuel. Diesel fuel is also slightly cheaper than gasoline. But generators of this type usually generate more noise than gasoline ones.
For a house with a small number of household appliances, a gasoline generator with a capacity of up to 2.5 kW is sufficient. This is enough for lighting and the operation of low-power electrical appliances.
“If it’s household needs – lighting, a kettle, a TV – a 2.5 kilowatt generator will be enough,” said Oleg Burbelo, head of the online store “Budpostach”, which specializes in the sale of construction and household appliances, in a comment to RBC-Ukraine.
If you need to connect a pump, washing machine or other powerful household appliances, a gasoline or diesel generator with a capacity of approximately 5 kW will be optimal. Usually, country houses take gasoline generators with a capacity of 2.5–3 kW, Burbelo said.
“A gasoline generator is a good option for short-term blackouts, a diesel generator is more suitable for long-term use“, the expert summarized and added that diesel generators are less often bought due to greater noise and higher price.
How much do generators and their electricity cost
The price of electricity obtained from a gasoline or diesel generator is several times higher than the tariff set by the state. “If the daily tariff is 4.32 hryvnias per kilowatt-hour, then from the generator it will be up to 30 hryvnias per kilowatt“, said Serhiy Kuyun, director of the A-95 consulting company.
We analyzed the cost of generators on one of Ukraine’s largest services for comparing prices and goods in online stores – Hotline. We have taken average prices for two of the most popular models of gasoline generators, up to 3 kW, and one of the most popular models of diesel generators, with a capacity of 5 kW.
We looked at the current fuel prices on one of the largest Ukrainian car portals, AUTO.RIA. A-92 gasoline is the optimal choice for modern gasoline generators. As of October 27, the average price for this type of fuel is 57.14 hryvnias. Diesel fuel costs 55.56 hryvnias on average
The cost of the generators themselves also varies; models with a capacity of up to 3 kW cost on average from 18 to 32 thousand hryvnias, depending on the characteristics.
It should be noted that in the calculations we used average values of consumption. These indicators may change depending on the number of connected devices.
“The final price of electricity is affected by the type of generator, its capacity, load level and efficiency. If you connect the generator only for a few devices, the cost of electricity is simply exorbitant,” explained Serhii Kuyun, director of the A-95 consulting company.
Also, we did not take into account the cost of consumables and lubricant, which must be replaced approximately every 50 hours of operation of the generator.
“Generators must be monitored, because they are very fragile. Among the mandatory works is the replacement of lubricant, filters and batteries. Such preventive works can cost from several hundred to several thousand hryvnias,” the expert summarized.
When using generators, it is important not only to consider the cost of fuel, but also to consider additional maintenance costs, such as changing oil or filters. Without proper care, generators can be unreliable, which emphasizes their fragility in use. Due to the growing demand for generators and other backup power sources, Ukrainians should carefully consider their decisions before purchasing.
