How Much Does It Cost to Install a Backup Home Generator?

When disaster strikes and your power flickers or cuts out completely, what is your first thought? Your freezer chock-full of perishables? Your children who will wake up without a night light? What about the electronic medical equipment or refrigerated medicine certain members of your household need?

Needless to say, power outages are inconvenient if not dangerous — especially if they are prolonged. This is where a backup home generator comes into play by protecting your family and property by automatically picking up the power loss and triggering a backup power system.

However, like any budget-conscious homeowner, you may be wondering how much it costs to install a backup home generator. Just like your HVAC or home security system, you may understand the value of backup power but still want to ensure you’re getting the best value — and know what you can expect to pay. While we offer generators starting as low as $12,999, there is a multitude of considerations that can affect their price. 

Rest assured that by partnering with reputable home generator installation professionals that offer top-of-the-line models, superior service, and even home generator financing, you’re getting the most out of your investment. Here, we’ll dive into what factors into the cost of a backup home generator, and explore the varying options that may be suitable to your unique needs.

What Factors Into the Cost of Backup Home Generator Installation?

The demand for backup home generators varies based on weather conditions, region, and overall market. You may see the cost of generators shoot up after an extended power outage as a result of a hurricane or snowstorm, for example, as property owners who have been inconvenienced by the outage rush to retailers to protect themselves from these sorts of events down the line. There are myriad variables you’ll run into when you shop, which can impact your total cost by thousands.

Here are the most substantial contributors to the cost of backup home generator installation:

Generator Type and Size

While portable generators exist, most models capable of powering an entire home are fixed, which means they are permanently installed on the outside of the home and hardwired into the home’s electrical system. Generators come in different sizes ranging in kW power. As you can imagine, the larger the home, the more kilowatts of power will be needed. Depending on the size of your home, installing a whole house generator can run you a few thousand to tens of thousands.

Power Source

While this won’t necessarily affect the purchase price, the fact that generators operate on a variety of fuel sources impacts the cost of purchasing — and storing — the fuel, and ultimately, the cost of running the generator. You’ll come across standby generators powered by gasoline, liquid propane, diesel fuel, as well natural gas. 

Concrete Pad

Installed generators must have a permanent resting spot. The most common method is on a poured concrete pad, which offers reduced vibration and increased airflow while preventing pooling water from rusting the underside.

Installation Process

Professionally-installed backup generators aren’t a one-and-done kind of job. A specialist may itemize the generator installation cost, including charges for preparing the site, labor, the fuel storage tank, electrical panel upgrades, and additional materials.

Discover How Much It Costs to Install a Backup Home Generator Today

In addition to how much it costs to install a backup home generator, you can get in touch with our specialists to address any questions you may have related to our other backup power solutions, including commercial truck generators. If you’re ready to live life uninterrupted, reach out to our generator installers today!