How Much Does it Cost to Install a Whole House Generator?

Photo by Jayphen Simpson

Originally Posted On: https://www.buellelectric.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-install-a-whole-house-generator

Here’s the situation.
You’re at home cooking dinner when all of a sudden the lights go off, you’re appliances turn off, and you’re left in the dark.
It’s not a pleasant experience anyone would want to go through, but wouldn’t it be nice to have your appliance instantly turn back because you have a backup generator?
A Backup generator is an excellent addition to a home, but it does come with a cost.
Are you wondering how much does it cost to install a whole house generator? If yes, you should scroll down for the essential things to know.

A whole house generator is a standby electrical system that turns on automatically via a transfer switch in case of an electrical outage. The generator supplies power to the circuits of the house until regular power is restored.
Whole house generator work when you’re away, which means you don’t have to be at home to run the generator.
Whole house generators can be powered by standard gasoline, diesel, or LP gas. If you experienced regularly or if heating and cooling systems solely rely on electrical power, investing in a whole house generator would be a smart idea.

The most common question asked when searching for a generator is, ‘how much power do I need?’ Generator power output is measured in Kilowatts (kW). Here is a quick guide to show how much power a generator can provide.

This amount of power will generally provide enough power for the essential circuits in your house:

• Refrigerator
• Lights
• Furnace
• Garage Door
• 1-2 bathroom outlets
• 1-2 Bedroom Outlets
• Sump pump

Average cost – $2,000-$4,000
Having essential circuits running only would be a smart choice for those who normally don’t power outages often.

A generator in this kilowatt range will provide power to all the essential circuits in the house plus a few comfort items.
These items include:

• Sump pump
• Furnace
• Refrigerator
• Family Room
• lights
• Office
• Dining room
• outdoor lights garage doors
• 1-2 bedroom outlets
• 1-2 bathroom outlets
• Central air

Average Cost – $4,500-$7,000
This generator setup provides partial power to your home. A generator in this wattage range is best for those who experience power outages regularly and live in harsh climates where heat or cooling are necessary for survival.

If you are looking for a generator that can provide power to your home as if the power never went out, a generator in this size range can get the job done.
Since this provides full utility service, you won’t have to worry about picking and choosing which circuits to choose from to power.
A generator in this size range is suitable for the person who doesn’t want to worry about losing any power in their home during a power outage or those who live in an area where power outages are frequent.
Average cost: $7000-$15,000

Now that we know how much the average cost is for the generator, its time to factor in the cost for installation.
Generators are commonly placed on a cement pad somewhere outside the property. They are permanently secured and require gas hookups and electrical wiring.
In some cases, depending on where you live, you need to have special permits or permission from the city to install a permanent generator to your property. Always have a trusted professional install your generator.
Trying to do it yourself may grant you a fine from the city and is also extremely dangerous if you have no prior knowledge of installing one.
A good rule of thumb to follow is by taking 75% of the purchase price of your generator is what you should expect for your installation. For example, if you bought your generator for $2,000, expect to pay around $1,500 to get it installed.
The price should cover the cost for site preparation

• Cement pad construction
• Generator transfer switch installation cost
• permits and permissions
• materials and equipment

Installation costs will vary depending on the situation. If you purchase a generator that runs on LP gas, you will need to pay extra for lines to be bury lines that go from your generator to the LP gas tank.

Have a budget in place and a plan of action. Having a standby generator is a smart idea and will provide the necessary power you need in case you experience a power outage. But, make sure you know how much you can afford and what your power needs are.
Another consideration you need to be aware of is that the generator can make a substantial amount of noise—up to 100db.
Make sure you check with your city if you need a permit to run a generator, especially in tightly crowded neighborhoods. You can also pay to have it soundproofed to avoid complaints.
If you don’t have many power outages in your area and just need a few things on if the power does go out, go with a smaller generator in the 7 to 14kW range.
If you have more in your budget or need a generator to run central air, heat, sump pump, CPAP machine, or other medical devices, go with one that is in the range of 14 to 48kW range.
If you have further questions on how much does it cost to install a whole house generator, contact us and we can provide you with a quote.