Whole-House Generator cost breakdown
At a mid-range, national-average baseline, a typical whole-house generator project is estimated at $5,000 to $18,000. The table below breaks the cost down so you can see where your project is likely to land.
| Size | Typical installed cost | Powers |
|---|---|---|
| 10 to 12 kW | $5,000 to $9,000 | Essentials |
| 16 to 20 kW | $8,000 to $15,000 | Most of the home |
| 22 to 26 kW | $11,000 to $20,000 | Whole home with AC |
| 26 kW+ | $15,000 to $25,000 | Large homes |
What drives whole-house generator cost
- Generator size in kilowatts.
- Fuel type and gas line work.
- Automatic transfer switch.
- Distance from the gas meter and electrical panel.
- Pad, permits, and inspection.
- Regional labor rates.
Key cost factors
Size to your needs
A smaller unit can power essentials (fridge, furnace, some outlets), while a whole-home unit runs everything including AC. Sizing depends on what you want to keep running.
Transfer switch
An automatic transfer switch is what makes a standby generator turn on by itself during an outage. It is part of the install and included in the cost.
Fuel and runs
Most standby generators run on natural gas or propane. A long gas line or electrical run from the meter and panel adds to the install cost.