How Much Gas Does A 6500 Watt Generator Use? Answered!
A 6500-watt generator uses around 1.10 to 1.35 gallons of gasoline per hour. If you are using propane as fuel, the generator will consume 1.30 to 1.45 gallons. A 6500-watt diesel generator consumes around 0.40 to 0.50 gallons of diesel per hour only. And if you use natural gas, the gas consumption will be around 1.30 to 1.40 gallons per hour.
Keep reading and know how much gas does a 6500 watt generator use and important facts about the fuel consumption of your generator.
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How Much Gas Does A 6500 Watt Generator Use?
Depending on the fuel type and generator type, a 6500-watt generator can use around 0.40 to 1.45 gallons of gas per hour. Here is the fuel consumption for different types of generators.
| Fuel Type | Consumption per Hour |
| Gasoline | 1.10 to 1.35 gallons |
| Propane | 1.30 to 1.45 gallons |
| Diesel | 0.40 to 0.50 gallons |
| Natural Gas | 1.30 to 1.40 gallons |
How Much Gasoline Does A 6500 Watt Generator Use?
Depending on the generator type and efficiency, a 6500-watt generator consumes around 1.10 to 1.35 gallons of gasoline per hour.
A 6500-watt non-inverter generator from a renowned brand has a fuel tank capacity of 6.9 gallons. And the runtime of this particular generator is 5.25 hours at full load. So, in an hour, this generator consumes (6.9 / 5.25) = 1.31 gallons of gas.
For inverter generators, this fuel consumption will be lesser. For instance, an inverter generator has a 5.1-gallon fuel tank. At 100% load, it can run for around 4.5 hours continuously. So, the gas consumption for this generator is 1.13 gallons per hour.
How Much Propane Does A 6500 Watt Generator Use?
Propane is less efficient than diesel or gasoline. So, if you run a 6500-watt generator on propane, it will consume around 1.30 to 1.45 gallons of fuel per hour.
For instance, a non-inverter generator runs around 3.25 hours at 100% load while fueling propane. And the propane tank capacity of this generator is 4.6 gallons. So, this generator consumes around (4.6 / 3.5) = 1.41-gallon of propane per hour.
How Much Diesel Does A 6500 Watt Generator Use?
If you are using a diesel generator, it will consume around 0.40 to 0.50 gallons of fuel per hour.
For example, a non-inverter diesel-powered 6500-watt generator has a fuel capacity of 4.3 gallons. And at 100% load, it runs around 8.5 hours. So, the diesel consumption by this generator is (4.3 / 8.5) = 0.50 gallons per hour.
Another non-inverter diesel generator claims to use 0.58 gallons per hour. Inverter generators use even less fuel.
How Much Natural Gas Does A 6500 Watt Generator Use?
If you run the 6500-watt generator on natural gas, it will consume around 1.30 to 1.40 gallons per hour.
Let’s take a non-inverter 6500-watt generator as an example. It has an 8.5-gallon fuel tank and it runs on natural gas. At 100% load, it runs around 6 hours. So, this generator will consume (8.5 / 6) = 1.4 gallons of natural gas.
The natural gas consumption for a 5500-watt generator will be lesser than this.
Types Of Fuel For Generators?
The generator wattage affects the fuel consumption significantly. For example, a 3000-watt generator’s fuel consumption is less than a 7500-watt generator.
Apart from the generator wattage, the fuel type is a significant factor on which the consumption depends. Here are the common types of fuel for generators.
Gasoline:
Gasoline is the most available fuel you can find for your generator, it is also very efficient. Iot is suitable for portable and standby generators.
However, the problem with this fuel is, it is highly flammable and you cannot store it for a long time. It only has 12 months of shelf life.
Propane:
Propane is used in generators as fuel due to its lower price range compared to the other fuel. Also, propane makes the generator less noisy than other fuels. The limitless shelf life of this fuel also makes it convenient especially for backup generators.
However, it is less efficient than gasoline and diesel. Also, most generators don’t have a built-in propane tank. You have to install it by yourself which can be expensive.
Diesel:
Diesel is the most efficient fuel source for generators. Most businesses use this generator for its high efficiency and cost-friendliness.
However, the main problem with diesel generators is they are extremely noisy. So, diesel generators are used less in households. It also has a limited shelf life of 18 to 24 months.
Natural Gas:
Natural gas can be easily found which makes it very popular as generator fuel. The efficiency of this fuel is constant in every weather. Natural gas is also very environmentally friendly.
However, the efficiency of natural gas is lower than that of gasoline and diesel. So, your generator will consume it more.
Conclusion
Here goes the discussion on how much gas does a 6500 watt generator use. Just determine the fuel tank capacity of your generator and divide it by the rated runtime.
If you are thinking of buying a generator, try buying an inverter. It will provide you with better fuel efficiency.
That’s all. Have a great day!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Can A 6500-Watt Generator Run A Furnace?
No, a 6500-watt generator can not run a furnace. A furnace is a very powerful HVAC system. It requires around 10,000 to 50,000 watts of electricity depending on the size. So, a 6500-watt generator will not be enough to cover this much wattage.
Will A 6500-Watt Generator Run A 3-Ton Ac Unit?
No, a 6500-watt generator can not run a 3-ton AC unit. The AC unit requires at least 3500 wattages of surge power per ton. So, 3-ton AC requires (3 x 3500) = 10500 watts of power. So, a 6500 generator will not be enough.
What Affects Generator Fuel Consumption?
Primarily, the generator wattage and fuel type affect the fuel consumption of a generator. Moreover, the generator type, weather conditions, generator age, and efficiency also affect fuel consumption.