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Its 457 CC 4-stroke gas engine delivers a high power capacity of 12,000 watts for up to 12 hours. The eight-gallon fuel tank works with both natural gas and propane. If you choose to take the DIY route and buy your own generator, you’ll still need to hire an electrician to install the power transfer switch in your main panel.
Prepare for the next power outage with the #1 selling brand of home standby generators
This transfer switch is the circuit that disconnects your home from the main power grid during a power outage and transfers the source of electricity to your generator. A standby generator produces electricity to power the systems and appliances in your home during a power outage. Generators are available in various sizes that can power just a few essential home devices or an entire home’s worth of devices and systems. A whole-house generator is simply a large version of a standby generator, capable of temporarily providing enough electricity to operate everything, or nearly everything, in your home. Home standby generators, as detailed above, are permanent installations which automatically turn on during a power outage.
Best Standby Generator for Your Budget: Champion 12.5-kW
Diesel whole house generators average $9,000, and standard gasoline units average $1,750. You will spend an extra $50 per hour if you need concrete work and $125 for permits if your area requires it. The best models take that in stride while lower-performing generators bog down or even stall. We also look at how efficiently a generator uses fuel and how long it runs on a tank of propane. Check out our generator buying guide for more details on our intensive testing program.
Generator Cost by Size
You should also factor in the cost of whole-house generator installation, which should be done by a professional. The seven whole home generators reviewed above aren’t your only options. While they didn’t meet all of our criteria for the best whole home generators of the year, one of these models might be right for your energy needs. A heavy-duty standby generator with a high power capacity for blackouts. Over the years, our power and generator experts here at This Old House have developed numerous resources for homeowners, contractors, and road-warriors. We’ve compiled a list of our most popular backup power and disaster preparedness guides below.
What size generator do I need?
Part of a whole-home generator installation is installing a permanent resting spot. The most common installation method is on a poured concrete pad, which offers reduced vibration and increased airflow and prevents pooling water from damaging or rusting the underside of the unit. Professional installation will run between $50 to $75 per square foot, including site preparation and concrete pouring. Whether homeowners are browsing Home Depot generators or shopping online, there is a wide variety of brands to choose from. Size options, as well as prices, may vary between these brands, so homeowners will want to find the unit that best fits their needs and budget. The starting costs of the best generator brands on the market are as follows.
Briggs & Stratton is next on our list with the PowerProtect 12kW Standby Generator and the smaller 10kW version. Briggs & Stratton’s big selling point is that the generators are 30% smaller than the overall footprint of all competitors due to a taller vertical design that takes up less space on the ground. A smartly placed, front-facing exhaust keeps fumes blowing away from your home instead of toward open windows. Always run a gasoline generator outdoors at least 20 feet from the home to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
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At a little over $6,500, this is one of the more expensive standby generators on our list, but it might be worth it if you want a reliable, high-powered backup generator with a good warranty. This Briggs & Stratton generator is a good option for someone who lives in an area with frequent power outages. The main highlight of this whole-house generator is its multiple output options. It has two standard household outlets, two RV-ready outlets and a transfer switch. That means you can use it to power multiple devices at home or supply electricity to a small or medium-sized camper. However, this generator can be prone to power surges, so it isn't recommended for sensitive electronics like LCD TVs or laptops.
Generator Type
They can power some or all your home until the electrical grid is restored. It can run your refrigerator, lights, and heating system at a minimum or power everything as if the grid never went down. You’ll want to assess your power demands to choose the ideal transfer switch for your whole house generator. The size of your generator dictates the transfer switch capacity you’ll require.
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Generac Guardian 3-Phase 20kW Automatic Standby Generator Wi-Fi Enabled runs about $5,599 on average. The Generac PowerPact 7,500 Watt Standby Generator runs about $2,049 on average. The Champion 14-kW aXis Home Standby Generator with 200-Amp Whole House Switch runs about $4,799 on average. The Briggs & Stratton 12,000-Watt Automatic Air Cooled Standby Generator runs about $4,299 on average. The Generac Guardian Wi-Fi Enabled Standby Generator runs about $3,879 on average.
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Most U.S. homes need at least 5,000 to 7,500 watts to cover minimum needs, so you’ll see standby generators offer nine to 20 kilowatts. Whole house generators will typically start at 22,000 watts and can run as high as almost 50,000. A whole house generator can provide back-up power for your entire home, including for essential appliances like your air conditioner, sump pump and refrigerator.
A standby generator will monitor and maintain itself by running several times a week and reporting back any potential problems. Homeowners will want to remember that these units are complex and that making mistakes with a home generator can result in electrical shock or carbon monoxide exposure. Homeowners will also need to make note of local requirements for gas connections. Additionally, generators are large and heavy and must sit on a concrete pad.
Whole house generators cost $2,000 to $6,000 a natural gas or liquid propane system, without installation. Standby units are always “on.” They are hooked up to your home’s electrical supply and your natural gas line or propane tanks. They can sense a drop in power from the grid and automatically start to power your home. There is only about a 1 to 2-second delay between the grid going out and a standby generator starting. This means you will have a short power interruption when it turns on. It only lasts a second or two but can interrupt clocks, computers, and running appliances.
Homeowners may have them serviced or pay for regular maintenance. Regular maintenance involves a service technician coming out on a scheduled basis. They vary by hours or days, so always check the owner’s manual for your model’s limitations. You should expect to pay $1,500 at the least and $7,500 at the most, depending on the type of generator you need and the cost of labor in your area.
However, frequent use may significantly reduce your generator’s lifespan. Make sure to conduct regular maintenance and service so your generator lasts as long as it can. The highest underlying cost of any fixture added to your home is the typical maintenance cost. When it comes to your home generator, you do not want to slack off on services.
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