Power outages, remote sites, and construction phases without permanent electrical service all have one thing in common: you need a generator. Renting the right one requires knowing your load, choosing the right fuel, and confirming the generator is properly sized and tested before it arrives.
Step 1: Calculate Your Power Needs
Add up the running watts of everything you plan to power simultaneously. Lights, tools, compressors, and HVAC units all have rated wattages. Add 20% buffer for startup surge loads — motors and compressors pull significantly more power on startup than while running.
Rough sizing guide:
- Under 5 kW — small job site: hand tools, lighting, phone charging
- 5 to 25 kW — medium site: multiple tools, small compressors, job site office
- 25 to 100 kW — large site: heavy equipment, HVAC, large compressors, construction trailers
- 100 kW+ — full facility backup, large industrial operations, major events
Step 2: Choose Your Fuel Type
Gasoline generators are inexpensive and widely available but less fuel-efficient and not ideal for long-duration rentals. Inverter generators run on gasoline but produce clean power safe for electronics.
Diesel generators are the standard for construction and commercial use. More fuel-efficient, lower maintenance, and available in large towable configurations. Diesel is the right choice for any rental over a few days.
Step 3: Confirm the Generator Is Load-Tested
A generator that hasn't been load-tested may run at idle but fail under actual operating load. HD Equipment Rental load-tests generators before every rental to confirm rated output. Ask any rental company if they do the same.
Step 4: Check What's Included
Confirm whether extension cords, transfer switches, and fuel are included or billed separately. At HD Equipment Rental, extension cords and power distribution boxes are available as add-ons when you book.
Rent a Generator in Los Angeles
HD Equipment Rental carries generators from 2,200W Honda inverters to 250kW industrial diesel units. Same-day delivery across LA County from our Hawthorne and Sun Valley locations. Call (424) 269-0703.
