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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. But you’d be surprised to find out that whole house generators are typically better long-term investments. Are you okay with living a few days only with necessities like hot water and limited lighting, or would that be a deal-breaker?
Whole house generator costs installed by type
If your installer has trouble accessing the area where you want to install it, it can further increase your installation costs. You can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000 to install a whole-house generator. Generally, large generators take longer and cost more to install than small generators. Additionally, if you’re installing a generator in a hard-to-reach area, it can drive up installation costs. 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.
Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect™ 12kW Standby Generator, Model 040666
In the meantime, conducting regular inspection and maintenance is always a good idea, especially if you haven’t used your generator for a while. The table below gives you a rough estimate of your maintenance frequency and related costs. Same as how it goes with most appliances, the sooner you can catch a problem, the more likely you can save on repair costs.
Home Generators by Energy Output
Diesel generators are more efficient, reliable, and require less upkeep than natural gas or propane generators. However, they cost more, require manual refueling, and emit pollutants. Another factor that plays a significant role in the cost of a generator is the fuel source. Gasoline-powered generators are the most common type of generator and typically cost less than alternatives like solar battery backups, which store electricity for you to use when you need it. The price range for solar whole house generators is from $2,000 to $25,000.
When shopping for a whole house generator, it’s important to make sure you purchase the right transfer switch. This component is a crucial link between your generator and your home’s electrical system. It’s what enables a seamless transition to backup power during outages. Renting a small portable generator costs $40 to $110 per day without fuel, depending on the power capacity and local rental rates.
Operating Temperature Range
Installing a whole-house generator is a complex project that most homeowners should leave to the pros. Installation involves complicated electrical work, and when done improperly, it can damage your city’s power lines. A whole house generator lasts 15 to 30 years and provides 10,000 to 30,000 hours of use with proper maintenance.
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If you’re looking for a small, affordable generator to take on camping trips, a PowerSmart generator could be a great choice. Most reviews report that the generator is easy to set up and runs like advertised, but some customers have complained about the noise level. If quietness is important to you, that is a crucial factor to remember.
Briggs & Stratton 12,000-Watt Automatic Air Cooled Standby Generator
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Our generator buying guide can help you select the style that’s right for you. Our generator ratings include portable and inverter models in addition to home standby generators. CR members can read on for reviews of the best home standby generators in our ratings. These systems typically run on fossil fuel sources, but there are solar options available, as well.
All Champion generators come with a 10-year limited warranty and lifetime technical support. This model has received some complaints regarding tech support — they might not be easy to reach in an emergency. Aside from that, the generator gets positive reviews from online retailers. You'll have to check the fuel level and test it regularly to ensure it's working.
You can also use online tools to get a better idea of what you’ll need. Those living in warmer regions or simply worried about a generator overheating may appreciate this category at 5% of the total ranking. Each generator was evaluated based on whether or not it offered the high temperature shutdown option.
A portable generator you have to wheel out of the garage, run extension cables to and then pull a cord to start it up. The whole house generator is connected to a power grid, which allows it to run automatically. The generator relies on a transfer switch to detect power interruptions.
Powering a small home or RV with 3,000 to 4,000 watts is possible, but you will have to reduce your use of appliances and electronics. If you want your home to function like it normally does (without shutting off TVs, fans or Wi-Fi), a generator with a 20,000-watt output or higher is best. These engines turn rotors that convert mechanical energy into AC and DC electrical energy. The process is similar to a hand-cranked flashlight but on a much larger scale. The PowerSmart Series from Briggs & Stratton is a compact, portable generator line.
Whole house generators either use liquid propane from a tank or natural gas from a utility line (or custom tank). Propane is cheaper and less contaminating, but using natural gas means you won’t have to refill a tank (although this isn’t an option if you’re looking to go off the grid). To determine how much power you’ll need for your generator, you can either use an online wattage calculator, the wattage information on your appliances or your electrical bill.
Some standby generators can also be hooked up to your gas line at home, so you don’t have to worry about manually refueling. Propane is a more expensive fuel type but often burns a little longer and provides more power than gas. 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.
While this list focuses on home standby generators, there are actually four common kinds of generators, each with different purposes that are designed to solve different homeowners’ needs. We’ve researched the top home generators of 2024 and ranked them based on an average cost, warranty, noise level and other factors to help you determine the best option for your home. You should expect to pay between $1,500 and $7,500 for a whole house generator, including installation. The exact price will come down to what features you’re looking for and the cost of installation labor in your area. Solar generators are the cheapest one to keep running since it doesn’t require fueling.
A heavy-duty standby generator with a high power capacity for blackouts. Protecting your home during a power outage is important, but cost is also a factor. Generators that fairly balance the value of protection with the cost of installation were proportionally rewarded in our review. Standby home generators operate in a broad range of air temperatures and depend on the model and manufacturer.
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