How To Calculate Your Whole-House Generator Costs

It’s hard to put a price on feeling safe and secure in your home. When severe weather, natural disasters or other issues knock out the power to your house, it can be challenging to maintain a sense of comfort and confidence. You may lose the ability to communicate with others, lose essential services or be at risk of having your food spoil. This is why many homeowners choose to have a Generac whole-home generator installed by Canter Power.

Renowned for dependability and performance, Generac is the leading brand for backup home generator systems. Canter Power is proud to be one of the top dealers of the industry’s most respected manufacturers. Our trained and experienced technicians know these units better than almost anyone, making us your best choice for peace of mind when the grid fails. Although that feeling may be priceless to you, realistically, you need to be aware of your whole-house generator costs.

The average cost of a whole-house generator and professional installation can be anywhere between $13,000 and $20,000. In addition to the initial price of purchasing and installing the unit, you need to consider the long-term costs for fueling and maintaining your new generator. If you want to know more about what you should expect your new Generac whole-house generator to cost, now and later, read on for some important considerations.

Factors Influencing the Cost of a Whole-House Generator

Perhaps the single most important factor in determining your full-house generator costs will be the unit itself. Generac has a wide range of models available, each one capable of specific output ranges. Sizing a whole-house generator properly is crucial if you want to get the best performance. It’s always best to purchase the unit that best matches your home’s size and power needs. If you buy one that’s too big, you’ll be paying for capacity you don’t really need.

On the other hand, choosing a generator that’s too small for your requirements means you won’t have enough electricity when you really need it. You’ll be missing the true value of your purchase.

Beyond the price of your whole-house generator, the other critical component of your initial costs will be the installation. Having qualified professionals install your new system may seem more expensive at the onset, but it can save you money over the long term. That’s because you can be sure you’ll have it installed properly so it delivers the highest levels of performance.

How much your installation will cost depends on a number of variables, including where you need it to be installed and how challenging it will be based on the surrounding terrain. If you need to remove hedges or bushes to allow enough clearance, for example, the work obviously will cost more.

When having your generator installed, you’ll need to decide how to fuel it. Some units can be connected directly to your natural gas line. Others can be powered by liquid propane or diesel fuel. There may be slight differences in price depending on which type of unit you choose.

This also is the time to think about whether you need any accessories or add-ons for your generator. For example, you might want to consider a cold weather kit if you live in an area prone to freezing temperatures. These kits help winterize your generator so it won’t be severely impacted by the cold. Maintenance kits also provide you with the tools and materials you need to keep your generator in good working order all year.

Because maintenance is such an essential element of keeping your generator running smoothly, this also is time to think about whether you want to add a service plan. Canter Power has a wide range of generator service plans available. By including regularly scheduled maintenance, remote monitoring and other benefits, you’ll have an extra level of security and longevity.

Cost Analysis — From Purchase to Operation

After taking a good look at all the variables that will impact your full-home generator cost, you should have a better idea of what you can expect to spend. This means you can put together a reasonably accurate cost analysis:

• Initial Investment Costs — This includes the price of the unit you select, along with any add-ons or accessories that you deem necessary.
• Installation Costs — This refers to the cost of having your generator installed by professional technicians, as well as any incidental work that must be done around your property to ensure proper installation.
• Ongoing Operating Costs — In addition to the price of fuel to supply your new generator, this line item should consider the cost of regularly scheduled maintenance and the possibility of unexpected repairs.

Making an Informed Investment

Given how important a backup generator will be for the comfort and safety of your home, it’s best to get as much information about your new investment as possible before making your final decision. The first step in this process should be to conduct research about your options. Using our Generator Buyers Guide is a good place to start. There are many other online resources that can guide you in the right direction. These include the Generac website, which features a calculator to help you determine which unit makes the most sense for the size of your house and its power needs.

Another good source of information is talking to one of our qualified professionals. Your Canter Customer Experience Coordinator has a wealth of knowledge about Generac systems, as evidenced by our status as a Generac Power Pro Premier Dealer. Our intimate understanding of this equipment means we can help steer you in the right direction, so you’ll maximize the value of your purchase.

Part of doing your homework when it comes to purchasing a whole-home generator is researching your choices for financing. For example, we offer a number of financing plans that can help you fit your purchase into your budget. This can be a great way to add the functionality of a generator to your home without having to pay for everything out of pocket.

Understanding Your True Whole-Home Generator Cost

Buying a whole-house generator is a significant investment, but in the end it’s a worthwhile one. You’ll know that the next time the power goes down in your neighborhood. You won’t have to worry about being left in the dark. Though before you make the call, you’ll need to be prepared for the short- and long-term costs of adding one of these units to your property. Those include the price of the unit itself, the cost of professional installation, fuel and ongoing maintenance.

If you’re looking for more expertise to help you make the best decision, the experts here at Canter Power are the ones to call. We can provide you with personalized advice backed by our deep connections to Generac and decades of expertise. To learn more about what your whole-house generator will cost over its lifespan, reach out and speak with one of our representatives today.