Diesel generator FAQ

Follow these 3 steps. You do not need to open or measure anything yourself. The ranges below are guidelines to frame your budget, not a recommendation: the power is then confirmed against your actual loads.

1. Start with these guidelines (ranges often seen in our installations in Quebec, approximate budget before taxes):

• 15 to 20 kW: often enough for essential circuits (fridge, freezer, lighting, well pump, oil or gas furnace, internet). About $16,000 to $21,000.
• 30 kW: may suit an average house partly heated with electricity (a few baseboards or a heat pump). About $26,000.
• 40 kW: common for an all-electric house of about 200 A (baseboards, water heater, range, dryer). About $29,000.
• 50 to 60 kW: worth considering for a large all-electric house, or one with a heated garage, spa, heated pool or workshop. About $33,000 to $35,000.

2. Check the DMW on your Hydro-Québec meter. On some meters, the display cycles through several values; one of them is labelled DMW. It is the highest power demand recorded, in kW. Take a photo of it with its unit and note the date. A generator above that value is usually chosen, with a margin for motor starting (heat pump, well pump). No DMW on the display? That is fine: the step 1 guidelines are enough to get started. Read the DMW guide.

3. Note what you want to keep running during an outage: the whole house, or only the essentials.

What changes the actual power needed: appliances running at the same time, motor starting (heat pump, well pump, compressor), electric heating and your electrical panel. Two houses of the same size can need very different power ratings. That is why we always confirm the power against your loads before the quote.

Send us the power that seems right to you, the DMW photo if you have it and your list with the quote request form, or write to us on Messenger. We will confirm the exact power with you.

Yes. All our diesel generators are built for heavy-duty use, 24/7: as backup during an outage or as the main power source at a cottage, farm or job site with no grid connection. Each one is load-bank tested for 2 hours, from 10% to 110%, adjusted and ready to use.

The power to choose depends on the equipment to run; we confirm it with you before the quote. In continuous use, follow the maintenance intervals: first break-in service at 60 hours, then oil change every 250 hours and fuel filter every 500 hours.

A load bank is a device that makes the generator work as if it were powering a real building. Each of our generators runs on it for 2 hours, stepping from 10% to 110% of its rating, and is then adjusted. This test is used to:

• prove the rated power: the generator must hold its full load, and a little more, without losing power;
• check power quality: voltage and frequency (60 Hz) must stay stable as the load goes up or down;
• check cooling and protections: temperature, oil pressure, alarms and automatic shutdowns are verified under real conditions;
• find a defect before installation rather than during a power outage;
• break in the diesel engine properly: a diesel that runs for long periods with almost no load builds up poorly burned fuel in the exhaust (known as wet stacking). Working it under load prevents this (oversized generator: cylinder glazing).

It is the recognized practice for standby generators: a full-load test at commissioning, then regular tests under a real load. Your generator therefore arrives adjusted and ready to use.

List the loads to be powered, including those needing extra starting power, then check voltage and phases. A quote can specify the appropriate model for your installation.

That depends on the selected capacity and the home's actual demand. Heating, pumps and other large appliances can significantly affect the result. Capacity is confirmed after the loads have been established.

Standby power is used during a grid outage. Prime power applies when the generator is the normal electricity source. Operating limits and permissible power ratings vary by model and its official specification sheet.

Automatic starting can be provided with a compatible transfer system and suitable installation. It should not be assumed for every model.

The specifications currently published show 60 Hz configurations. Frequency, voltage and phases must be confirmed for the unit offered in your quote.

Do the first break-in service (oil and oil filter) at 60 operating hours, then plan an engine oil change every 250 operating hours and fuel filter replacement every 500 operating hours. Also perform routine checks before use. Consult the engine and generator set manuals for elapsed-time limits and adjustments specific to the model or operating conditions; earlier service may be required.

Monitor oil, coolant and fuel levels, battery condition, alarms and visible fuel, oil or coolant leaks. Also check the air intake, belts and exhaust. Follow the manual's safety instructions, with the engine stopped and cooled when required.

Depending on usage frequency, inspect the air filter, belts, lines, battery and charger; check the fuel for water or sediment. A standby generator also needs periodic tests according to its manual. Oil, filter and coolant replacement is determined by model-specific intervals and operating conditions: monthly oil changes are not a general rule.

After the first break-in service at 60 hours, change the engine oil every 250 operating hours. At 500 hours, also replace the fuel filter. Other tasks, including those at 1,000 hours, depend on the model: air intake, fuel system and cooling system inspections, or mechanical adjustments. The engine manual specifies additional tasks, elapsed-time limits and special operating conditions. Entrust specialized work to a qualified technician.

We visit factories several times a year to supervise selected custom models and monitor quality checks. These visits also keep us informed about new technologies, which we can discuss with you according to your project's needs.

You can also explore our photos from factory visits.

Solution NRJ serves Quebec as well as projects in Ontario and New Brunswick. Contact us to confirm availability in your area.

DMW can contribute to the assessment, but the unit, covered period and meter model must be confirmed. The load list and starting requirements are still needed. Read the guide.

Not necessarily. The period and resets must be checked for the exact meter. Do not treat a single reading as an annual maximum without confirmation. Read the guide.

No. kWh measures energy consumed over time. You must also assess the power of equipment operating together and its starting requirements. Read the guide.

No. Starting and transferring involve a delay depending on the system. For equipment that cannot tolerate interruptions, have a compatible uninterruptible power supply assessed. Read the guide.

Included equipment must be specified in the quotation. A controller does not establish that the transfer switch, connections or commissioning are included. Read the guide.

Standby is a backup power rating for outages. Prime Power is a rating for use as the main electricity source with varying loads. Operating hours and permitted load depend on manufacturer conditions. For example, a generator rated 20 kW Standby and 18 kW Prime must be compared using the intended duty. This example is illustrative and does not confirm the specifications of our 20 kW model. Check the technical sheet and have the rating specified in your quotation.

Read the full guide

Yes, if it is in an enclosure designed for outdoor use and connected to its block heater. Set it on a stable base, away from snow sliding off the roof and away from doors and windows. Clearing snow around the unit is part of routine care.

It depends on the tank size and the load actually connected: electric heating, pumps or farm equipment quickly raise fuel use. Our open models have a 200 L tank. Ask us for an estimate based on your equipment before storm season.

Yes. Regular tests, ideally under load, keep the engine, battery and transfer switch in good condition and reveal problems before a real outage. Avoid long periods idling with no load instead.

Do not keep cranking: long repeated attempts drain the battery. Check whether the block heater was plugged in and whether the fuel looks cloudy or gelled, then call us at 438-350-6979. To avoid this situation, see our pre-winter checklist.