Powering Industries for 50+ Years
Buying or Selling a Generator
A Complete Guide for Commercial and Industrial Facilities
Companies across the United States depend on reliable power, and the decision to buy or sell a commercial generator requires careful evaluation. Whether you operate in the high altitude regions of Colorado and Wyoming, the high heat conditions of Texas, or the storm prone environments of Florida, choosing the right generator or selling your existing equipment can significantly impact cost, reliability, and long term performance. This page provides a practical overview of the most important factors to consider when buying or selling industrial generators, including sizing, condition assessments, valuation, and what to expect during the process.
Buying a Generator
Understanding Your Power Requirements
Before purchasing a generator, you need a clear understanding of your load profile. This includes running load, starting load, motor behavior, and seasonal or future expansion needs. Facilities in Colorado and Wyoming must also consider altitude derating, while facilities in Texas must account for high ambient temperatures that impact cooling performance. Florida and coastal areas require additional planning for humidity, storms, and corrosion.
Choosing the Right Capacity
Selecting the right kW range is one of the most common challenges for buyers. Undersizing leads to overload trips and shutdowns, while oversizing adds unnecessary cost. Most commercial facilities size generators to operate between 60 and 80 percent load to maintain reliability and headroom for peak demand.
Deciding Between New, Used, and Surplus Generators
New generators offer the latest technology and full manufacturer warranties, but they come with higher costs and longer lead times. Used and surplus generators provide significant cost savings and faster availability, especially when sourced from a trusted reseller. Every used generator should undergo load bank testing, inspection, and verification of hours, service history, and condition. Generator Source specializes in these evaluations, ensuring buyers receive units that meet commercial and industrial standards.
Fuel Type Considerations
Diesel remains the preferred choice for heavy industrial loads due to its strong inrush capability. Natural gas is a strong option for facilities with stable gas infrastructure, offering lower emissions and extended runtime without on site storage. Regional factors matter. Cold climates affect diesel fuel conditioning and gas pressure, while high heat affects performance in natural gas and diesel systems alike. Coastal regions with humidity and salt exposure require additional corrosion protection.
Evaluating the Generator’s Condition
When buying a generator, pay close attention to engine health, alternator condition, ATS compatibility, and enclosure quality. Thorough inspections should include oil sampling, coolant analysis, insulation checks, and a full load bank test. These evaluations help you avoid costly repairs and ensure reliability when the generator is needed most.
Installation, Integration, and Compliance
Correct installation affects safety, performance, and code compliance. This includes ventilation planning, fuel line routing, breaker sizing, utility coordination, and ATS integration. Local codes vary widely between Colorado, Texas, Wyoming, and Florida, so professional guidance ensures the system operates safely within local requirements.
Selling a Generator
Determining Your Generator’s Value
A generator’s resale value depends on its age, hours, brand, condition, fuel type, and configuration. Caterpillar, Cummins, MTU, and Generac units tend to hold higher resale value due to parts availability and reliability. Low hour units in good condition can command strong market prices, especially in high demand ranges such as 100 kW to 1000 kW.
What Buyers Look For
Selecting the right kW range is one of the most common challenges for buyers. Undersizing leads to overload trips and shutdowns, while oversizing adds unnecessary cost. Most commercial facilities size generators to operate between 60 and 80 percent load to maintain reliability and headroom for peak demand.
Deciding Between New, Used, and Surplus Generators
Most buyers prioritize condition, hours, maintenance history, and recent testing. Load bank results, service records, and high quality photos all increase buyer confidence. Weatherproof enclosures, sound attenuated housings, and trailer mounted systems also add value depending on market needs.
Preparing Your Generator for Sale
Before selling, it helps to ensure the generator is clean, accessible, and properly documented. A unit that has been tested, serviced, and inspected can sell significantly faster than one with unknown history. When Generator Source purchases a generator, our team handles on site evaluation, logistics, decommissioning, and transportation to simplify the process.
Selling to a Trusted Buyer
Partnering with a reputable industrial buyer ensures a fair offer and a smooth transaction. Generator Source buys commercial generators between 20 kW and 4000 kW, including diesel, natural gas, and trailer mounted units. We manage pickup, freight, and all necessary paperwork, allowing sellers to clear space and recover capital without disruption.
When to Buy and When to Sell
Deciding whether to buy, replace, or sell a generator often comes down to runtime, reliability, growth, and changing operational needs. Facilities expanding production may require larger units. Organizations with aging generators may benefit from upgrading to higher efficiency models. Businesses consolidating equipment or relocating may choose to liquidate existing assets.
Facilities located in altitude heavy regions like Colorado and Wyoming, high heat zones like Texas, or hurricane prone areas like Florida often experience shifts in power requirements that influence when upgrades or replacements are needed.
How to Use These Generator Buying and Selling Resources
This page supports procurement teams, facility managers, engineers, and operators who need guidance on evaluating generator purchases or deciding when to sell. The information here also helps organizations prepare for capital planning, risk reduction, and compliance review. If you need help evaluating your generator needs, determining your asset’s resale value, or planning a generator upgrade, our team can provide a detailed assessment tailored to your facility.
Request a Generator Assessment
Call 877-866-6895 or contact our team through Generator Source.