Renting a generator for a power outage or an event

A generator is the classic own-it-and-never-use-it purchase. Renting one for the storm week or the weekend festival gets you the power without the maintenance, but a generator is also the one rental where getting it wrong hurts. Size it properly and follow the safety rules, and it is a straightforward day.

Sizing it

• Add up the running watts of everything you will run at once. A fridge is around 700 W running, a sump pump 800 to 1,500 W, a space heater 1,500 W, a food-stall griddle 1,500 to 2,000 W.
• Allow for start-up surge. Motors (fridges, pumps, compressors) briefly draw two to three times their running watts. A 3,500 W generator comfortably runs a fridge, a pump and some lights.
• Inverter generators are quieter and safe for laptops and phones. Open-frame units are cheaper per watt and louder.
• Check the outlets. If you need a 30 A twist-lock for a transfer switch, make sure the listing has it.

Safety rules that are not optional

• Never back-feed a house through a wall outlet. Use extension cords rated for the load, or a properly installed transfer switch.
• Let it cool before refueling. Spilled fuel on a hot engine ignites.
• Keep it dry. Run it under an open canopy in rain, never in a closed space.
• Use heavy-gauge outdoor cords and keep total load under the rated output.

At pickup

1. 1Start it with the owner. Note how many pulls it takes and whether it idles cleanly.
2. 2Check the oil level and ask what oil it takes. Many units shut off on low oil.
3. 3Confirm what fuel level you receive and what the owner expects back.
4. 4Photograph the hour meter or the unit itself. Both sides benefit from the record.

Generators are higher-value items, so ID verification will usually be required before the booking goes ahead; see trust score and ID verification. Then browse tool listings nearby.