Air-cooled standby generators have a fan that blows air over their engine block to draw out heat for a simple cooling method with reduced maintenance requirements. They typically weigh less for easier transport than liquid-cooled units, but they run hotter and produce lower running wattages. This makes them a good choice for residential and light commercial use in moderate climates. These generators operate on natural gas (NG) or liquid propane (LP) fuel, which burn clean and store long-term without degrading.

These liquid-cooled generators operate on natural gas (NG) or liquid propane (LP) fuel, which burn cleaner, store long-term without degrading, and provide quieter operation than diesel fuel. They pump coolant through their engine block to dissipate heat more quickly than air cooling and allow higher wattage output to handle high-powered applications in hot climates.

These liquid-cooled generators operate on diesel fuel, which lubricates the engine for a longer life, provides better fuel economy, produces less carbon monoxide, and is less flammable than natural gas and propane. They pump coolant through their engine block to dissipate heat more quickly than air cooling and allow higher wattage output to handle high-powered applications in hot climates.