Find out whole home standby generator costs by brand and size in 2026. Generac vs Kohler compared. Free whole home generator guide.
Whole home standby generators cost $7,000-$18,000 installed — automatically starting within seconds of a power outage and running on natural gas or propane. Generac dominates the residential market with Kohler and Briggs and Stratton as major alternatives. After major storms, waiting lists extend to 4-8 weeks. Planning and installing before an emergency saves 20-30% versus crisis pricing.
Installed cost by generator size: 11kW Generac (smaller homes): $4,000-$5,500 equipment, $7,000-$10,000 installed. 16-20kW Generac (average home): $5,000-$7,000 equipment, $9,000-$13,000 installed. 22-26kW Generac (larger homes): $7,000-$9,000 equipment, $11,000-$16,000 installed. Kohler 20kW: $6,000-$8,000 equipment — similar install cost. Briggs and Stratton: slightly lower cost than Generac or Kohler. Installation includes: automatic transfer switch, gas line connection, concrete pad, electrical connection.
Comparison by key factors: Whole home standby: automatic, runs on natural gas or propane (unlimited fuel), powers everything, requires professional install, $7,000-$18,000. Portable generator: manual start required, runs on gasoline (limited supply), powers select circuits, DIY setup possible, $500-$2,000. Break-even: standby worth it if power outages are frequent and prolonged in your area. Hurricane or ice storm prone areas: standby is justified.
Standby generator runtime: Natural gas standby: unlimited — connected to utility gas line. Runs as long as gas supply continues (utility rarely interrupted during power outages). Propane standby: depends on tank size. 500 gallon tank: approximately 7-10 days of continuous run. 1,000 gallon tank: 14-20 days. Maintenance required: exercised weekly automatically by most units, annual professional service $150-$300 recommended.
Generator impact on home value: Yes — adds value in disaster-prone markets. Estimated value added: 3-5% of home value in hurricane, ice storm, or frequent outage areas. On $400,000 home: $12,000-$20,000 value added. Pays for installation cost in high-risk areas. Less value added in: areas with very reliable grid power and mild climate. Must be permitted and properly installed — unpermitted generators create liability and insurance issues.
Generator sizing guide: Calculate your load: essential circuits: refrigerator (700W), HVAC (3,000-5,000W), water heater (4,500W), lighting and outlets (3,000W). Essential load: 11-16kW covers most average homes. Full home including electric range and electric dryer: 22-26kW recommended. Rule: size up — generators run more efficiently at 75-80% capacity and have room for loads you may have forgotten.
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