Whole House Generator Cost $6,000 to $15,000 Installed.
The vendor-neutral pricing reference. Six size tiers from 10 kW to 48 kW, four manufacturers, three fuel types, five regions, full installed cost. No quote forms, no zip-code walls.
UNIT
10-48 kW
Range of residential ratings
INST
$6K-$15K
Typical 22 kW system installed
FUEL
NG / LP
Or diesel for very large loads
LIFE
20-30 yr
With annual maintenance
Four cost drivers
kW Rating
$3,000 - $12,000
10kW partial, 22kW whole house, 48kW large home
Sizing →
Fuel Type
NG cheapest
Natural gas, propane, dual-fuel, or diesel
Fuel costs →
Brand
$2,000 - $7,000
Generac, Kohler, Cummins, Briggs & Stratton
Compare →
Install
$2,500 - $6,500
ATS, pad, gas line, electrical, permits
Install guide →
Standby Generator Installed Cost Estimator
Six size tiers, three fuel options, five US regions. Output is the installed cost including unit, ATS, concrete pad, gas line, electrical labour, and permits. No quote forms.
INPUTS
Most popular. Powers everything including 5-ton AC.
Cheapest to operate. Unlimited supply.
Auto-transfers entire panel within 10 seconds.
RATED OUTPUT / TOTAL INSTALLED
22 kW system, installed
$9,650
Range: $8,299 to $11,387
Component breakdown
Annual maintenance budget
$320 / year
Oil + filter, spark plugs, dealer load test. Recurring 10+ years.
Estimates only. Actual installer quotes vary by site complexity and dealer markup.
Cost by Generator Size
Unit cost (generator only) and total installed cost (unit + ATS + pad + gas + electrical + permits). Five tiers cover 95 percent of residential applications.
| Rating | Coverage | Unit | Installed | What it powers | Right for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 kW | Partial coverage | $2,800 to $4,200 | $5,000 to $8,000 | Lights, fridge, well/sump pump, a few outlets. No central AC. | Small homes, mild climates |
| 16 kW | Whole house, no AC | $3,500 to $5,000 | $7,000 to $10,000 | Everything except central air conditioning. | Open-the-windows-in-summer climates |
| 22 kW | Whole house + AC | $4,500 to $6,500 | $10,000 to $15,000 | Everything including one 5-ton central AC unit. | Most popular. 2,000 to 3,500 sq ft homes |
| 26 kW | Larger home + multi-zone | $5,500 to $7,800 | $12,000 to $18,000 | Two AC zones, electric range, dryer. | 3,000 to 4,000 sq ft homes |
| 48+ kW | Large estate | $8,000 to $12,000 | $15,000 to $25,000 | Multiple zones, workshops, hot tubs, EV chargers. | 4,000+ sq ft, high-load homes |
Highlighted row marks the most popular spec. Custom configurations vary.
Installed Cost Bill of Materials
Itemised breakdown of a typical residential standby generator install. Use these numbers to verify installer quotes.
Generator unit
$3,000 to $6,000
Varies by kW and brand. Generac cheapest, Kohler premium.
Automatic transfer switch
$500 to $1,500
Detects outage, switches to generator in 10 seconds.
Concrete pad
$300 to $800
4-inch pad. Composite pads acceptable in some areas.
Gas line connection
$300 to $1,500
Short run cheaper. New utility line tap up to $1,500.
Electrical labour
$500 to $1,500
ATS to panel wiring, load center, testing.
Permits + inspection
$100 to $450
Building, electrical, gas. Required virtually everywhere.
Standby vs Portable vs Inverter
Full matrix →| Spec | Standby | Portable Gas | Inverter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $5K-$15K | $500-$2,000 | $800-$3,000 |
| Auto-start | Yes (10 sec) | No | No |
| Max output | 10-48 kW | 3-12 kW | 1-7 kW |
| Runtime | Unlimited (NG/LP) | 8-12 hr / tank | 6-10 hr / tank |
| Noise (23 ft) | 60-70 dB | 70-80 dB | 50-60 dB |
Brand Pricing Overview
Full brand comparison →$2,000 - $5,000
Largest dealer network. 7,000+ dealers. WiFi monitoring standard.
$3,000 - $7,000
60 to 69 dB. Premium build. Best near bedrooms or property lines.
$3,000 - $6,000
Commercial DNA. 30+ year expected lifespan. QuietConnect line.
$2,000 - $4,500
10-year limited warranty standard. Strongest at 10-16 kW tier.
Frequently Asked
How much does a whole house generator cost installed?v
$6,000 to $15,000 installed in 2026. A 10kW unit covering essential circuits runs $5,000 to $8,000 installed. A 22kW unit that powers everything including central AC costs $10,000 to $15,000. Installation typically accounts for 40 to 50 percent of total cost.
What size generator do I need for a 2,000 sq ft house?v
16 to 22 kW. With central AC: 22 kW ($10,000 to $15,000 installed). Without AC: 16 kW ($7,000 to $10,000). Square footage alone is not enough. The driver is which appliances run simultaneously, especially central AC (3,500 to 5,000W), electric water heaters (4,500W), and well pumps (750 to 1,500W).
Is a whole house generator worth the investment?v
For most homeowners in outage-prone areas, yes. A standby generator adds 3 to 5 percent to home value. On a $400,000 home that is $12,000 to $20,000 in added value from a $10,000 to $15,000 investment. One avoided 3-day outage can save $2,000 to $25,000 in spoiled food, hotel stays, burst pipes, and sump pump failures.
Natural gas vs propane: which is cheaper to run?v
Natural gas is significantly cheaper. A 22kW generator costs $2 to $4 per hour on natural gas versus $5 to $9 per hour on propane. Over 10 years with average outage frequency, natural gas saves $3,000 to $8,000 in fuel cost. Propane is the right call only when natural gas service is not available.
How long does a whole house generator last?v
20 to 30 years with proper maintenance. Engine life is 10,000 to 30,000 hours. Generac and Cummins units routinely reach 25 years. Annual professional service ($200 to $400) and timely oil changes are the difference between a 15-year and 30-year unit.
Are there tax credits for whole house generators?v
Federal Inflation Reduction Act credits apply to heat pumps, solar, and battery storage but not to standalone gas-fired standby generators. Some state utility programs offer rebates for backup power in storm-prone regions. Check your state energy office and local utility for current incentive programs.
Every Cost Factor, One Reference
Eleven deep-dive sections. Each one tackles a single decision a homeowner faces before cutting a $10,000 cheque.
Sizing Calculator
Appliance load checklist. Get a kW recommendation.
Brand Comparison
Generac vs Kohler vs Cummins vs Briggs at every kW tier.
Installation Guide
Permits, ATS, pad, gas line, electrical. Step by step.
Standby vs Portable
When you need $10K standby and when $500 portable suffices.
Fuel & Running Costs
Natural gas vs propane vs diesel. Per-hour and per-day cost.
10-Year Ownership
Annual service, lifespan, total cost of ownership.
Home Value & ROI
3 to 5 percent value increase. Plus the cost of NOT having one.
Cost by State
Regional pricing differences. Northeast to West Coast.
7 Ways to Save
Right-sizing, off-season, load management, and more.
Financing Options
Monthly payment calc. HELOC, manufacturer programs, PACE.
FAQ
25 questions answered with specific numbers and data.