RECD price for DG setWhen comparing , buyers often focus on the equipment quotation and overlook what happens after the purchase order is issued. Installation, exhaust modification, transportation, commissioning, maintenance and service can all influence the actual cost of an RECD project.

A supplier may quote an attractive equipment price, but the final amount can increase once site work and ongoing support are included. Understanding these additional costs before ordering makes it easier to compare suppliers and prepare a realistic budget. CPCB's published RECD procedure covers emission-compliance testing of retrofit emission-control devices for diesel power-generating-set engines up to 800 kW gross mechanical power and was revised on July 24, 2023.

Why the Equipment Price Is Only the Starting Point

An online quotation may show a single amount for the RECD itself.

But the complete project can involve:

Equipment
Site inspection
Transportation
Exhaust fabrication
Installation
Commissioning
Maintenance
Spare parts
Warranty service

Not every supplier includes all of these items in the initial quotation.

total installed and supported costThis is why a buyer should calculate the , rather than treating the equipment price as the final project expense.

1. Installation Cost

The first additional cost to investigate is installation.

The supplier may charge separately for:

Equipment positioning
Mounting
Exhaust connection
Technical labour
Electrical/control connections, where applicable
Commissioning

The exact installation scope depends on the selected product and the existing DG arrangement.

Before accepting a quote, ask:

“Is installation included in the equipment price or quoted separately?”

Get the answer in writing.

2. Exhaust Fabrication Can Add to the Budget

The existing DG exhaust may not match the proposed RECD connection directly.

Additional work can include:

Flanges
Exhaust pipe sections
Bends
Supports
Mounting brackets
Welding
Structural modifications

The amount can vary significantly between installations.

A straightforward setup may require limited fabrication, while a complex exhaust arrangement can require more site work.

CPCB's RECD procedure includes exhaust back pressure among the technical considerations addressed within its testing framework, reinforcing the importance of evaluating the exhaust arrangement rather than treating installation as a simple attachment.

3. Site Survey Cost

Some suppliers include a pre-installation survey in their quotation. Others may charge for it separately.

A site survey can involve checking:

Engine details
Exhaust dimensions
Silencer arrangement
Available space
Mounting location
Access
Existing supports
Fabrication requirements

For complicated installations, a survey can actually help reduce costs later by identifying work before the equipment is delivered.

Ask the supplier:

Is the site survey free or chargeable?

Will the survey cost be adjusted against the purchase?

4. Transportation and Logistics

Transportation is another cost that can easily be overlooked.

Clarify whether the quotation includes:

Freight
Loading
Unloading
Local transportation
Site delivery
Technician travel

For a supplier located in another city or state, logistics can noticeably increase the final project cost.

When comparing suppliers, calculate:

Equipment + Freight + Installation + Fabrication

rather than comparing equipment prices alone.

5. Installation Location Can Change the Cost

An RECD installed inside an easily accessible industrial area can be easier to install than one located in a restricted DG room.

Additional work may be required because of:

Limited working space
Difficult access
Height
Long exhaust piping
Restricted movement of equipment
Additional structural support

Therefore, two customers purchasing the same RECD model can receive different installation quotations.

The product price may be similar, but the site cost may not be.

6. Commissioning Charges

Commissioning may be included in the installation price or quoted separately.

Ask what commissioning involves and whether the supplier provides documentation afterward.

Your quotation should clarify:

Commissioning included/excluded
Technician charges
Travel expenses
Required testing/checks
Commissioning report

If commissioning is not included, request a separate cost before issuing the purchase order.

7. Maintenance Is an Ongoing Cost

An RECD is not necessarily a zero-maintenance investment.

The actual maintenance requirements depend on the product and manufacturer's instructions.

Ask the supplier about:

Inspection frequency
Cleaning or servicing requirements
Replaceable components
Sensor/controller checks, where applicable
Maintenance intervals
Recommended service procedures

A supplier that provides a clear maintenance schedule allows the buyer to estimate long-term expenses more accurately.

8. Spare Parts Can Become a Hidden Cost

Before purchasing, ask which parts may eventually need replacement.

Potential service requirements can include product-specific components, monitoring elements or other replacement items.

Ask:

Which parts are replaceable?

How often should they be inspected?

Are spare parts available in India?

What is the expected delivery time?

Are parts covered during the warranty period?

A product that is inexpensive initially can become more costly if replacement components are difficult or expensive to obtain.

9. Warranty Conditions Affect the Real Cost

Warranty is another factor that can change the overall value of a quotation.

Two suppliers may quote similar equipment prices but provide different levels of coverage.

Compare:

Warranty duration
Warranty start date
Covered components
Labour
Site visits
Replacement parts
Exclusions
Claim process

Do not accept only:

“Two-year warranty.”

Ask what those two years actually cover.

10. Service Visits May Not Always Be Included

This is an important point when evaluating long-term cost.

A warranty may cover the equipment but not necessarily every travel or service expense.

Ask:

“Are technician travel and site-visit charges covered under warranty?”

Also clarify what happens if the problem is determined to be outside the warranty scope.

These details can prevent unexpected service bills later.

11. Maintenance Contracts Are Optional Costs to Evaluate

Some suppliers may offer an annual maintenance or service agreement.

Depending on the product and supplier, this may include:

Periodic inspection
Technical support
Service visits
Component checks
Maintenance records

An annual contract may not be necessary for every customer, so compare the cost against your generator usage, number of units and internal maintenance capability.

The important point is to understand whether the quoted equipment price includes any ongoing service-or not.

12. The Cost of Delayed Installation

There can also be indirect costs when installation is delayed.

For example:

DG remains pending for commissioning
Project deadlines shift
Technicians need additional visits
Fabrication has to be rescheduled
Transportation must be repeated

These expenses may not appear in the original quotation.

A proper site survey and installation plan can reduce this risk.

13. Incorrect Product Selection Can Be the Most Expensive Mistake

The biggest hidden cost may not be installation at all.

It can be purchasing the wrong product for the application.

Before finalizing the product, verify:

Engine manufacturer
Engine model
Gross mechanical power
Exact RECD model
Documented application
Installation requirements

CPCB's published manufacturer information identifies different RECD applicability ranges according to engine power and Phase, so buyers should not assume that every RECD is interchangeable.

A technically unsuitable purchase can create costs for replacement, reinstallation and project delays.

14. Don't Compare Incomplete Quotations

Imagine two suppliers quote:

Cost	Supplier A	Supplier B
Equipment	₹95,000	₹1,05,000
Installation	Extra	Included
Fabrication	Extra	Included
Transport	Extra	Included
Commissioning	Extra	Included

Supplier A looks cheaper only until the complete costs are added.

final installed project amountA fair comparison should calculate the .

15. Understand the RECD Price for DG Set

RECD price for DG setThe should be treated as the starting point for budgeting, not necessarily the final payable amount.

A useful budgeting structure is:

Equipment

Installation

Fabrication

Transportation

Commissioning

Applicable taxes/charges

Planned maintenance and support

This provides a more realistic view of the total project cost.

16. Installation Service Should Be Quoted Separately

RECD installation service for DG setFor transparency, ask suppliers to provide a separate line for .

The quotation should clarify whether the service includes:

Site survey
Exhaust measurements
Fabrication
Installation
Mounting
Commissioning
Technician travel
Installation documentation

This allows you to compare equipment-only suppliers with suppliers offering a complete solution.

17. Spare-Parts Stocking Can Also Affect Cost

For facilities with several DG sets, maintaining critical spare parts may be useful.

Ask the manufacturer which components are recommended for stocking.

The answer may depend on:

Number of DGs
Operating hours
Site remoteness
Service availability
Warranty arrangement

Don't buy unnecessary spares just because they are offered as an “essential package.” Ask the manufacturer to explain the purpose of each item.

18. Remote Locations Can Increase Service Costs

A DG installed in a remote industrial or infrastructure location can involve additional costs for:

Technician travel
Transportation
Accommodation
Emergency service
Spare-parts delivery

Ask whether these expenses are included in the supplier's standard warranty and service package.

This is particularly important when the installation is far from major service centres.

19. Multiple DG Sets Require Fleet-Level Cost Planning

If your organization has several generators, don't calculate costs independently without considering project efficiencies.

Possible savings may come from:

Bulk equipment pricing
Combined transportation
Group installation
Shared site surveys
Consolidated service visits

However, technical applicability should still be checked for each DG.

The current CPCB manufacturer information shows different engine-power ranges and Phase classifications, so quantity does not automatically mean one identical product should be used for every generator.

21. How to Identify a Truly Low-Cost Proposal

A low-cost proposal should not simply have a low equipment price.

Look for:

Appropriate product

Complete scope

Efficient installation

Reasonable logistics

Clear warranty

Available spare parts

Reliable service

overall ownership costThis produces a lower , which is more meaningful than a low initial price alone.

22. Common Hidden Costs to Ask About

Before signing the order, ask specifically about:

Equipment

Are all required components included?

Installation

Are labour charges included?

Fabrication

Are exhaust modifications included?

Transportation

Is site delivery included?

Commissioning

Is commissioning included?

Warranty

Are site visits and labour covered?

Maintenance

Are regular service visits included?

Spare Parts

Are replacement components separately chargeable?

Taxes

Are taxes included in the quoted total?

These questions can reveal the actual project cost before work begins.

23. Check the Supplier's Documents Before Paying

Request:

Formal quotation
Technical proposal
Product datasheet
Relevant certification/test documentation
Installation scope
Warranty terms
Delivery schedule

CPCB's official RECD procedure establishes the framework for type approval and emission-compliance testing, so compliance-related purchasing decisions should be based on relevant documentation rather than generic advertising.

24. Verify Current Official Information

CPCB maintains a Generator Sets section containing Type Approval/COP information.

Its RECD procedure available on the official website was revised on July 24, 2023.

For 2026 procurement, buyers should verify the latest available official information and the current manufacturer/product applicability rather than relying solely on old articles or supplier claims.

Where relevant, review requirements from the applicable State Pollution Control Board, Pollution Control Committee or other competent authority.

A Practical Hidden-Cost Checklist

Before approving the final quotation, confirm:

Equipment

Exact RECD model
All required components
Quantity
Technical documentation

Installation

Site survey
Fabrication
Mounting
Installation
Commissioning

Logistics

Freight
Loading/unloading
Technician travel
Site delivery

Warranty

Warranty period
Start date
Covered components
Labour
Site visits
Exclusions

Maintenance

Maintenance schedule
Spare parts
Service requirements
Estimated recurring expenses

Compliance

Current CPCB information
Product-specific documentation
Applicable local requirements

Questions to Ask Before You Approve the Purchase

Ask your supplier:

1. Is the quoted amount equipment-only or fully installed?

2. Does it include exhaust fabrication?

3. Does it include commissioning?

4. Are transportation and technician travel included?

5. What maintenance is expected after installation?

6. Which spare parts may need replacement?

7. What exactly does the warranty cover?

8. Are service visits included during the warranty period?

9. What is the total initial project cost?

10. What current official requirements should be verified for this DG installation?

Written answers make supplier comparison much easier.

Final Thoughts

RECD price for DG setRECD installation service for DG setinitial cost and long-term ownership costThe real is rarely just the number shown beside the equipment. Installation, exhaust fabrication, transportation, commissioning, warranty, spare parts and maintenance can all influence the final cost. The best way to avoid hidden expenses is to request a detailed, itemized quotation before placing the order. Start with accurate DG and engine information, identify the exact RECD model and understand the physical installation requirements before accepting a price. For buyers requiring an , ask for the installation scope as a separate, clearly defined part of the quotation. This makes it easier to compare suppliers offering equipment-only supply against those providing complete installation and commissioning. A well-planned RECD purchase should give you a clear picture of both . The lowest equipment quote is not necessarily the lowest-cost solution once installation, maintenance and support are included.

RECD Price for DG Set: Installation, Maintenance & Hidden Costs

What to Budget Beyond the Sticker Price — Installation, Upkeep & Hidden Charges