You probably have a generator in or around your home or workplace and you must be thinking How Much Does A Whole House Generator Cost? . If you don’t, you will certainly encounter them when looking for the best whole-house generators for your business.
They keep the electricity going when there is a power outage and can be run manually. You will find that depending on where you live and the weather, they are something you will use more often than not.
Whole house generators are also called standby generators because they are always ‘on standby’, ready to go when the power goes out. If you’re considering a whole house generator, In this article, I will answer some of your most important questions: like how much they cost, what types of generators there are; and what the main benefits are to using one.
How much Does A Whole House Generator Cost?
If you don’t want to be without power, this is the most important question you can answer before purchasing one. Generators can range from $2,000 to $16,599, depending on the unit’s power and fuel type. The installation and maintenance costs are hard to estimate because they depend on your location and local codes/laws/regulations.
Whole house generators are becoming increasingly popular in households and businesses as power outages occur more frequently.
These generators keep your lights, fridge, furnace, and home appliances running even during a power outage. It’s important to determine if a whole-house generator is right for you, as they come in many different price ranges.
What Is A Whole House Generator?
Whole house generators are also known as standby generators. Whole house generators are capable of powering an entire house during an outage.
Depending on the size of your home, your whole house generator can vary in size and performance.
When looking for a whole-house generator, it is important to consider several factors before making a purchase.
The most important factor to consider is what type of power you want to produce. There are two types of whole-house generators: On-demand and standby/backup generators.
On-demand whole-house generators are also known as portable generators. They are portable because they can easily move from one location to another.
In addition, on-demand whole-house generators produce 120 volts of electricity at 60 Hz, which is perfect for household electronics such as televisions, stereos, and computers.
Standby/backup whole house generators produce 240 volts at 60 Hz, perfect for heavier loads such as clothes dryers, water heaters, and furnaces. Standby/backup generators can also produce 120 volts at 60 Hz if needed.
Fuel Type For Whole House Generator Cost:.
The fuel type that you choose for your whole house generator is up to you. You can choose from traditional gas-powered, diesel-powered, liquid gas-powered, or liquid propane-powered generators.
All these types have pros and cons, and the right choice will depend on how much power you need and how much money you want to spend on fuel.
Natural Gas:
Natural gas is the most common fuel used in home generators. It is cheaper than diesel and other fuels but can have problems with storage and delivery during times of crisis.
Natural gas is considered the safest generator type because it does not contain as many harmful chemicals as other fuels.
Diesel:
Diesel is a popular choice for whole-house generators because it has high efficiency and does not produce much pollution. However, this fuel type is more expensive than natural gas or liquid propane.
Diesel engines also produce more carbon dioxide emissions than other engines, so it’s important to ensure that you have adequate ventilation when operating one of these machines indoors or outdoors near your home or office building.
Liquid Gas:
You’ll most commonly find portable generators powered by gasoline. If the generator is only needed for a short time to power a few small appliances or tools, then a gasoline generator may be a good option.
Whole house generators that use gasoline as fuel are not very common. The main advantage of this fuel is that it is easy to find and store.
Liquid Propane:
Liquid propane generators are also safe to use, but they require a special fuel tank installed in your home or garage.
Liquid propane generators can be less expensive than natural gas units, but they are more difficult to install and maintain.
Do I Need A Whole House Generator?
The short answer is yes. It’s a good idea to have a backup generator in case of power outages.
But before you run out and buy one, it’s important to understand what whole-house generators do and what they don’t do.
Whole-house generators are not replacements for standard home electrical systems. Instead, they are meant as backup power sources.
Whole house generators are an excellent investment for anyone who lives in an area where power outages are common. They can also be used as a backup when the power goes out unexpectedly.
Steps To Install A Whole House Generator:
The steps to install a whole-house generator are as follows:
Choose A Suitable Location:
Your safety and those of your family members must always be a priority. You should always follow the manufacturer’s installation guidelines.
This helps you to achieve the most efficiency and avoid causing danger. Generac guidelines in the manual help you choose a suitable location. That should be outdoors, in a stable and well-drained area free from flooding.
Prepare The Site With A Concrete Pad Or Genpad:
Your generator must sit on the concrete slab or a 3-inch fabricated Genpad. Genpad comes when you buy your generator. First, prepare the site by removing the grass and the dirt to make a rectangular shape of 6 inches.
Mix the concrete with the sand and pour them into the rectangular barrel. Compact to make the concrete pad ready.
Or you can use the new Generac Genpad, which does not need you to prepare a concrete slab on the ground. Instead, you place the fabricated Genpad on the site where you want your generator to sit.
Fasten The Generator Against The Concrete Base:
Inside your generator box are bolts and screws for fastening your generator. Bolt them to the concrete anchors by drilling at least four holes in the concrete slab.
Place your Generac generator on the concrete pad after you’ve fastened the concrete anchors to the ground.
Install The Fuel Line:
Gas piping is the most crucial part. First, you need to determine the size of your pipe using the installation guidelines provided by the manufacturer. Safety should be your priority because natural gas is volatile.
Install the gas pipe horizontally from the gas metre to the generator. Use gas pipes approved for safety reasons to avoid fuel leaks caused by ground vibrations.
Along the fuel supply line, install a shut-off. It should be easily accessible for easy maintenance.
Make Electrical Connections:
A transfer switch should be installed next to the power metre. The Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) separates your home from the power lines.
The transfer switch controls the utility power and the generator power to prevent overlaps from occurring.
Run the control wires and the conductors from the back of the generator to the transfer switch. The Generac house generator comes with pre-configured control wires. These wires are colour-coded for easy installation.
When there is a power outage, the ATS senses the outage as the generator prepares to supply the power. Ensure the main utility power and the generator are off before you connect any wires to the transfer switch.
You may order a cold-weather kit. The kit helps your generator function during cold temperatures by keeping the oil and battery warm.
Generac whole house generator uses cell batteries. Turn off the generator and the utility power before you install the batteries.
Remove the fuse from the generator control panel and put the batteries into the battery space. Connect the positive and negative terminals correctly.
Activating Your Generator:
This is the ending process after you’ve completed installations. You can activate your Generac house generator online. You can also call the manufacturer’s number shown in the installation guide.
Before using the generator, check the oil level to ensure it is full. Check the gas piping to ensure there are no leakages.
You can now test your generator by manually pressing the power button on the control panel. You’ve completed the installation process! But there is one more thing; an electrician must check if everything is okay.
You should have an electrician come to your home and inspect the connections. Have weekly self-tests to ensure the proper functionality of your home generator.
How Big Of A Whole House Generator Do I Need?
A whole-house generator is the most powerful type of generator. It can provide power for multiple appliances and lighting in your home.
Whole house generators should be installed by a professional, but if you’re looking to install one yourself, it’s important to know how much power you need.
The size of your whole house generator depends on how many watts your household uses at peak times (for example, when everyone is home and using their appliances). The average home uses about 3500 watts of energy at peak times.
Most homes with electric heat will require between 7500W-12000W of power to run their furnace and other utilities at once without browning out (when the voltage drops below acceptable levels).
In addition, you’ll want an extra 500W-1000W to run lights and other appliances simultaneously with the furnace and other utilities.
A basic amount of electricity consumed by daily used objects is given below.
| Appliance | Wattage (Starting/Running) |
| Washing machine | 1.200/1,200 |
| Clothes dryer | 6,750/5,400 |
| Refrigerator/Freezer | 2,900/700 |
| 2-ton central AC | 8,750/3,800 |
| Electric water heater | 4,500/4,500 |
| Total wattage | 24,100/15,600 |
Benefits Of Whole House Generator:
The main benefit of having a whole-house generator is that it can keep your home running during both short-term outages — like those caused by bad weather — and long-term blackouts. If your home has no electricity for more than two days, your food will spoil, and you’ll have to rely on flashlights and candles for lighting.
Having a whole house generator means that you won’t have to worry about these things happening; it will keep your refrigerator running, so there’s no need for ice chests full of ice; it will provide heat and air conditioning; and it will power lights so that you can see at night without using candles or flashlights.
How To Reduce Costs For A Whole House Generator?
When you’re thinking about adding a whole-house generator to your home, the first thing that comes to mind is the cost. But there are ways to reduce the costs of a whole house generator and make it more affordable.
Choose Your Generator Carefully:
If you’re going to invest in a whole-house generator, then you want one that’s able to power your entire home. This means choosing a unit with enough power capacity to handle all of your electrical appliances and devices at once.
If you have a large home or live in an area with high winds or other weather conditions that can damage electrical lines, then it’s important that your generator can handle the load.
Find A Good Deal On Installation:
If you’re planning on installing your whole house generator yourself, then consider hiring an electrician for installation services instead of doing it yourself.
Hiring an electrician will save time and money in the long run because they have experience working with generators and know how to do it properly without causing damage to your home or appliances.
Shop Around For An Affordable Installed Price:
There are lots of prices for installed whole house generators out there, so shop around until you find one that fits within your budget needs.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right whole-house generator can be a complicated process. Since these systems are used to provide power to an entire home or other facility, owners will have to consider a variety of factors before they decide what’s right for their needs.
I hope that this guide has helped with that process and given homeowners a better idea of the features to look for when shopping around.
FAQs:
What do I need to know about generator maintenance after the installation?
Given that generators are only used outside, it is not surprising that they would occasionally require a little maintenance. Your generator should remain in excellent condition with annual maintenance, which should cost between $75 and $300. By operating multiple times a week and reporting back on any possible issues, a standby generator will monitor and maintain itself.
How many watts does it take to run a house?
More watts will be required to completely power larger homes than smaller ones. A 16,000-watt (16 kW) generator can typically power a 1,000 to 3,000-square-foot home, whereas a larger home between 3,000 and 5,000 square feet would require a 20,000-watt (20 kW) generator.
How long does a whole-house generator usually last?
If properly maintained, a decent standby generator should last at least 20 years. A frequently used generator will last less time and needs to be maintained more frequently to extend its life.