If you’re organising an outdoor event – whether it’s a birthday party or a wedding – it’s likely that you’ll need a generator. Generators offer an easy way to provide electricity to outdoor structures, like marquees or barns, so your guests can be as comfortable outside as they would be indoors.

If you’ll only be using your generator for a single or a small number of events, then it’s more affordable to hire a generator than buy one outright. If you’ve never hired a generator before, here are a few tips to bear in mind.

Capacity and noise levels

The first thing to consider is which appliances your generator needs to power, in order to ensure that you hire one with ample capacity for your needs. For instance, if you’re holding a wedding reception in a marquee, you’ll need to need to provide enough power for lights and sound at the bare minimum. Be realistic about how much power you require: a DJ, for example, will need more powerful sound capabilities than a piano player or violinist. And if your caterers will be working in a marquee too, then consider whether you need more than one generator, to avoid overloading.

Moreover, major events like wedding receptions are likely to run for several hours. So if your generator runs on diesel, you should establish whether a full tank will last the length of your event. A smaller event – for example, a children’s birthday party – is unlikely to encounter this problem.

You’ll also need to consider the noise that some generators may emit. The majority of new generators are manufactured to keep noise to the lowest possible level, and some generators run completely silently. However, ensure that you communicate the nature of your event to your generator rental company, and ask their advice on which generators emit the lowest noise. Remember, a noisy generator could ruin your event, so it’s always worth paying extra for one that’s silent.

Where to put your hired generator

Another important point to bear in mind is where to put your generator. Generators emit carbon monoxide as they run, and inhaling this gas can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. As a result, you need to ensure that your generator runs outdoors to let the fumes escape. However, generators also need some kind of cover to prevent them from getting wet in the rain. It will also need to be located relatively close to your marquee or outdoor building so that power cords are in reachable distance.

If you’re unsure about the ins and outs of generator hire, it may be worth seeking out the help of a professional party planner. Experiencing wedding planners and party organised will be well versed with the challenges and opportunities presented by generators, and will ensure that you have a generator that meets your event’s power needs and runs smoothly.