Home Standby Generator Cost (2026)

A home standby generator is a permanently installed unit that kicks on automatically within seconds of a power outage, running on natural gas or propane until the grid returns. For homes in areas with frequent or long outages, it’s the gold standard for uninterrupted backup. In 2026, a standby generator typically costs $5,000 to $15,000 installed, covering the unit, the transfer switch, and the electrical and fuel hookups. Here’s how the price breaks down and how it compares to battery backup.

Standby generator cost by size

Generator size	Backs up	Typical installed cost
10–12 kW	Essential circuits (fridge, furnace, some outlets)	$5,000 – $8,000
14–18 kW	Most of a typical home, incl. some AC	$7,000 – $11,000
20–24 kW	Whole home, central AC	$10,000 – $14,000
26 kW+	Large home, multiple AC units	$13,000 – $18,000+

The generator unit itself is often 40%–60% of the total — the rest is installation: the automatic transfer switch, electrical work, a concrete or composite pad, and connecting to your gas line or a propane tank.

What’s included in the installed price

• The generator unit — sized in kilowatts to your backup needs.
• Automatic transfer switch (ATS) — detects an outage and safely switches your home from grid to generator power.
• Electrical work — wiring the ATS into your panel, sometimes a subpanel for backed-up circuits.
• Fuel connection — tapping your natural gas line, or installing/connecting a propane tank.
• Pad and mounting — a level base for the unit outdoors.
• Permits and inspection.

A whole-home unit that needs a new propane tank and a main-panel upgrade lands at the top of the range; an essentials-only unit on an existing gas line sits near the bottom.

What drives the price

Generator size (kW). Bigger units that back up central AC and the whole home cost more than essentials-only models.

Fuel type and supply. Natural gas is convenient if you already have a line; propane requires a tank (owned or leased) and adds cost. Diesel standby units exist but are less common residentially.

Transfer switch type. A whole-home ATS costs more than a smaller one covering only select circuits.

Electrical upgrades. An older or full main panel may need work to integrate the generator.

Fuel line and tank work. Running a new gas line or setting a propane tank adds labor and materials.

Site and permitting. Placement, distance from the panel and fuel source, and local permit fees all factor in.

Ongoing costs to expect

Unlike a battery, a standby generator has running costs:

• Fuel — natural gas or propane consumed during outages (and brief weekly self-tests).
• Maintenance — oil changes, filters, and periodic service, often via an annual plan ($150–$400/year).
• Lifespan — quality units last 15–25 years with maintenance.

Standby generator vs. home battery

This is the central decision for many homeowners:

• Standby generator ($5k–$15k): runs indefinitely as long as it has fuel, so it’s ideal for long, frequent outages and whole-home backup including AC. Downsides: noise, emissions, fuel cost, and maintenance.
• Home battery ($10k–$16k+ for a unit like a Powerwall): silent, emission-free, and can pair with solar to recharge daily — but stores a fixed amount of energy, so extended multi-day outages can outlast it unless solar tops it up. See our home battery cost guide and Tesla Powerwall cost guide.

A rule of thumb: if you face long, multi-day outages and want to run everything including AC, a generator is often the more practical pick. If you want silent, clean backup paired with solar and typically face shorter outages, a battery fits better. Some homeowners install both.

The 2026 incentive note

Standby generators that run on natural gas or propane are fossil-fuel devices and do not qualify for clean-energy tax credits — they never did, and nothing changed there. By contrast, home battery storage previously qualified for the 30% federal residential credit, but that credit was repealed for purchased systems installed after December 31, 2025, so battery buyers get no federal credit in 2026 either. In other words, neither a purchased generator nor a purchased battery carries a federal credit in 2026. Some states offer battery/resiliency incentives (not generator ones); details are in our 2026 federal solar tax credit guide.

How to control the cost

• Right-size it. An essentials-only unit costs far less than whole-home backup with central AC. Decide what you truly need to run.
• Use existing natural gas if you have it, to avoid propane tank costs.
• Get multiple bids — installation labor and transfer-switch scope vary widely.
• Bundle a maintenance plan to protect the unit’s lifespan.

Portable vs. standby generators

Not every home needs a permanently installed unit. A portable gas generator ($500–$2,000) can power a few essentials during an outage, but you have to roll it out, start it, refuel it, and run extension cords or use a manual transfer switch — and it can’t run indoors or in heavy rain. A standby generator ($5,000–$15,000) starts automatically, runs on your gas line or a large propane tank, and requires no attention during an outage.

The choice comes down to outage frequency and how hands-off you want backup to be. For rare, short outages, a portable unit is far cheaper and adequate. For frequent or multi-day outages — or if you’re away from home often — the automatic operation of a standby unit justifies the cost. For a fuel-free, silent alternative, weigh a home battery instead.

FAQ

How much does a home standby generator cost installed? Typically $5,000 to $15,000 in 2026, depending on size and installation. Essentials-only units start around $5,000–$8,000; whole-home units with AC run $10,000–$15,000+.

What size generator do I need for my house? Essentials (fridge, furnace, some lights and outlets) can run on 10–12 kW. Backing up central AC and most of the home usually needs 18–24 kW. An electrician can size it to your loads.

Natural gas or propane? Natural gas is cheaper to run and never needs refilling if you have a line. Propane works where there’s no gas line but requires a tank. Both are common and reliable.

Generator or battery — which is better? Generators run indefinitely on fuel, ideal for long outages and whole-home AC. Batteries are silent, clean, and pair with solar but store a fixed amount. Choose based on outage length and priorities.

Does a standby generator qualify for a tax credit? No. Gas and propane generators are fossil-fuel devices and don’t qualify for clean-energy credits. And in 2026 even home batteries get no federal credit for buyers.

What are the ongoing costs? Fuel during outages and weekly self-tests, plus maintenance (oil, filters, service) often running $150–$400 a year. Units last 15–25 years with upkeep.

Weigh backup against solar-plus-storage

If clean, silent backup that pairs with panels appeals to you, compare a generator against a battery using our home battery cost guide and Tesla Powerwall cost guide. And if you’re considering solar to cut your everyday bill on top of backup, estimate the system with our free solar cost calculator.