Whole House Generator Cost: $3,699 to $7,546 for the Unit.
Listed prices for 10 to 26 kW standby generators from the four main brands, checked October 2026. Installation is quoted per house: one Georgia co-op publishes $9,000 to $10,000 for a Generac 22 kW installed on natural gas. Check your own quote below.
UNIT
10-48 kW
Range of residential ratings
INST
$9,000-$10,000
Generac 22 kW installed on natural gas, Walton EMC (GA)
FUEL
NG / LP
Or diesel for very large loads
UNIT $
$3.7K-$7.5K
10 to 26 kW, generator only, Oct 2026
Four cost drivers
kW Rating
$3,699 - $7,546
10 to 26 kW air-cooled, generator only, listed October 2026
Sizing →
Fuel Type
NG cheapest
Natural gas, propane, dual-fuel, or diesel
Fuel costs →
Brand
Within ~$900
Listed unit gap between Generac, Kohler, Cummins and Briggs at each size
Compare →
Install
Quoted locally
ATS, pad, gas line, electrical, permits
Install guide →
Check an Installer's Quote
Pick the generator and transfer switch on your quote. We fill in their listed prices. Type the quote total and the checker shows how much of it is installation: the gas and electrical work, pad, permit and the installer's margin. No installation figure is assumed.
INPUTS
The installed total from your installer, before any rebate.
OUTPUT
Generator + switch, listed
$6,667
Cummins RS20A $5,748 + Generac switch $919
Listed prices checked 8 Oct 2026: Kohler and Briggs and Stratton MSRPs, Generac and Cummins at AP Electric. Your installer may buy below list, so part of the "installation" line can be equipment margin.
Cost by Generator Size
Unit: generator only, Kohler and Briggs MSRP or AP Electric listing, October 2026. Unit + switch: the cheapest unit with the $919 switch through the dearest with the $949 switch, before any installation.
| Rating | Unit | Unit + 200 A switch | Coverage | What it powers | Right for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 kW | $3,699 to $3,946 | $4,618 to $4,895 | Partial coverage | Lights, fridge, well/sump pump, a few outlets. No central AC. | Small homes, mild climates |
| 13-14 kW | $4,286 to $5,098 | $5,205 to $6,047 | Most circuits, small AC | Most of the house; a small central AC with soft start. | Mid-size homes |
| 20-22 kW | $5,748 to $6,406 | $6,667 to $7,355 | Whole house | Whole house including one central AC. | The most common whole-house size |
| 26 kW | $7,019 to $7,546 | $7,938 to $8,495 | Larger home + multi-zone | Two AC zones, electric range, dryer. | Larger homes |
| 48 kW | $25,703 (Kohler 48RCLC MSRP) | Not priced here | Liquid-cooled | Large, high-load homes. | Only if a load calculation needs it |
Highlighted row marks the most common whole-house size. Get itemised local quotes.
What a Quote Is Made Of
The lines an itemised quote should show. The generator and switch have listed prices; the rest is priced for your house, so compare quotes line by line.
Generator unit
$3,699 to $7,546
10 to 26 kW, as listed October 2026. At each size the main brands sit within about $900.
Automatic transfer switch
$919 to $949
200 A service-rated switch, listed at AP Electric (Generac 9929, Kohler RXT). Switch only.
Concrete pad
Quoted
Poured or pre-cast; the maker's manual and local rules set what is accepted.
Gas line connection
Quoted
Run length and pipe size from the meter or tank, and whether the meter can supply it.
Electrical work
Quoted
Switch to panel wiring, conduit and cable, any service work.
Permits + inspection
Quoted
Set by your town or county.
Standby vs Portable vs Inverter
Full matrix →| Spec | Standby | Portable Gas | Inverter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-start | Yes (10 sec) | No | No |
| Max output | 10-48 kW | 3-12 kW | 1-7 kW |
| Runtime | Unlimited (NG/LP) | 8-12 hr / tank | 6-10 hr / tank |
| Noise (23 ft) | 60-70 dB | 70-80 dB | 50-60 dB |
Brand Pricing Overview: 14 kW Class
Full brand comparison →$4,799
14 kW model 7258. Roughly 9,700 residential dealers (Q2 2026).
$5,098
14 kW 14RCA MSRP. 5-year warranty covers parts, labour and travel.
$4,286
13 kW RS13A. 5-year/2,000-hour limited warranty.
$4,460
13 kW PowerProtect MSRP. 7-year comprehensive warranty.
Unit only, before installation, as listed in October 2026: Kohler and Briggs MSRP from their own sites, Generac and Cummins at AP Electric. Sources and the other models on the 14 kW page.
Frequently Asked
How much does a whole house generator cost installed?v
The generator alone listed at $3,699 (10 kW) to $7,546 (26 kW) in October 2026, from maker MSRPs and AP Electric listings, and a 200 A transfer switch at $919 to $949. Installation is quoted per house. Walton EMC, a Georgia co-op, publishes $9,000 to $10,000 for a Generac 22 kW installed on natural gas in its area. Get itemised local quotes and check them with the quote checker.
What size generator do I need for a 2,000 sq ft house?v
Square footage alone is not enough. The driver is which appliances run at once, especially central AC, an electric water heater, a range or a well pump. Use the sizing calculator for a starting figure and have an electrician do a load calculation.
Natural gas vs propane: which should I choose?v
If the house already has natural gas service, natural gas means no tank to buy, fill or site. Propane needs a tank sized for the runtime you want. Compare both fuels at your local prices on our fuel cost page.
Are there tax credits for whole house generators?v
No. Standalone gas-fired standby generators never qualified for the federal Inflation Reduction Act credits, and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act ended the Section 25C and 25D residential energy credits for property placed in service or expenditures made after December 31, 2025.
Every Cost Factor, One Reference
Eleven deep-dive sections. Each one tackles a single decision a homeowner faces before signing a quote.
Sizing Calculator
Appliance load checklist. Get a kW recommendation.
Brand Comparison
Generac vs Kohler vs Cummins vs Briggs at every kW tier.
Installation Guide
Permits, ATS, pad, gas line, electrical. Step by step.
Standby vs Portable
When standby makes sense and when a portable will do.
Fuel & Running Costs
Natural gas vs propane vs diesel. Per-hour and per-day cost.
10-Year Ownership
Annual service, lifespan, total cost of ownership.
Home Value & ROI
What a generator does and does not add at resale.
Cost by State
Regional pricing differences. Northeast to West Coast.
7 Ways to Save
Right-sizing, off-season, load management, and more.
Financing Options
Monthly payment calc. HELOC, manufacturer programs, PACE.
FAQ
25 questions answered with specific numbers and data.