How Much Does A Home Generator Cost?
Are you planning on installing a generator to power your home? Whether it is for emergency preparedness or a major step to completely get off the grid, one major consideration is your budget.
Then, you should be asking, ‘how much does a home generator cost?’
The answer to your question depends on your preference and needs. Standby generators come in a variety of sizes. Hence, the cost also varies. Some are just under $2,000 to as much as $20,000 and more. Add to that is the installation fee, which may also vary.
Installing A Home Generator: Factors To Consider
One of the things you need to decide on is whether you want to connect all electrical circuits or just a few essential ones to the standby generator.
If you are going for a budget-friendly installation, you may choose only the circuits that you will need during emergency situations or during seasons that you need to conserve electricity. Determine the essential ones from those you can live without. This way, you will lessen the load capacity, reducing the running cost of your home generation system.
A few examples of the essentials are refrigerator or freezer, kitchen receptacles, a few light and receptacle circuits, the fan blower motor for gas heating equipment. You may also consider hooking up your security system.
How much does a house generator cost depends on its size.
Generator sizes are measured in their kilowatt (kW) capacity. A 10-kW generator produces 10 kilowatts or 10,000 watts of electricity. You may consult with an experienced installer to determine the appropriate size of the generator based on the electric load of your essential circuits.
A popular choice for homes is a 20kW (20,000 Watts) generator model. Most 20kW generators are air-cooled; that is why it is a little less expensive at $5,000 compared to liquid-cooled types. This type of generator typically comes with a 200-Amp Automatic Transfer Switch or ATS.
Aside from size, the cost of generator also depends on whether it is air-cooled or liquid-cooled. Liquid-cooled engines are more expensive.
Engines of air-cooled generators use fans to force air across to cool down. Although it is a cheaper choice, it can power your essential function in your house during a power outage.
You can also use an air-cooled generator as a main generator for applications that are not too demanding.
On the contrary, water-cooled or liquid-cooled engines contain enclosed radiator systems like that found in automobiles. They use the radiator systems for cooling.
This type of generator has a higher-kilowatt capacity; hence it is ideal for convenience stores, restaurants, offices, and other large-scale buildings and applications.
You may consult with an experienced installer to determine the appropriate size of the generator based on the total electric load of your essential circuits. They will you through options and will give you a bid on how much does it cost for a whole house generator.
Conclusion
A standby generator can help you through emergencies. It is a good investment that will enhance your self-reliance in times of need.
You have learned here that several factors affect how much does a home generator cost. Take your time to know more about each installation bid that you get from companies.