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| | | Also called a stationary, permanent or whole-house emergency generator, a standby generator is wired into the home's electrical system. At the first signs of a power outage the standby generator automatically provides energy to specified circuits, and turns itself off when power is restored. A standby generator can be designed to power an entire house or only the most essential services. Standby generators are sometimes called backup generators, but that term is also applied to portable generators. See How Much Does a Portable Generator Cost. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Having a small, air-cooled standby generator (about 7 to 10 kilowatts) professionally installed runs about $2,500 -$4,500. This will power a few emergency systems but not an entire home, and might be manually operated. The Briggs & Stratton 7kW Standby Generator sells for $1,900 -$2,100, with installation adding another $500 -$1,000 or more, depending on local rates and installation complexity.
- Installing a mid-sized (12 to 20 kW) standby generator can be $4,000 -$10,000, depending on the size, the quality of the cabinet (typically aluminum or steel), and options like lower noise levels or a faster response time. BobVila.com displays a video of a 12 kilowatt model being installed at a cost of about $7,500.
- A large capacity (22 to 45 kW), liquid-cooled generator, can be $9,000 -$15,000 or more installed, depending on what's included. This can power an entire average-sized or larger home, and the total price may include a service contract, an underground propane tank and homeowner training. BobVila.com provides a video of a 22 kilowatt (22,000 watts) standby generator being installed at a cost of $9,000 -$13,000.
What should be included: | - When a standby generator is providing the power, appliances remain plugged into their usual wall outlets. A standby generator can be fueled by natural gas (from the utility company), propane or diesel (although diesel is less common). ThisOldHouse.com provides an overview of how standby generators work.
- A standby generator is permanently installed, usually outdoors on a cement pad near the utility meter, and is connected to the home's main power panel. It's housed in a protective cabinet and resembles an outdoor air conditioning unit -- although these generators range in size from a small air conditioner to as large as a horizontal shed. Installation means wiring the new generator into the home's electrical system, including adding a new subpanel and automatic transfer switch, and connecting it to a fuel source such as natural gas or propane. Professional installation is recommended. ThisOldHouse.com provides a video overview of the installation process.
- The energy produced by generators is not the same as grid-supplied electricity. All generators produce harmonic distortion, which can affect or even damage sensitive devices like plasma TVs, computers or items with complex electronic controls. The total harmonic distortion (THD) of a generator indicates the potential for problems powering sensitive electronics. Generally, a THD of five or six percent or lower is considered "clean."
Additional costs: | - Standby generators typically require a higher volume gas meter than what's standard on many homes. Upgrading to a high volume gas meter averages about $1,000, but varies depending on circumstances and local rates. Check whether an upgraded gas meter is needed, and if it's included in any quotes for installing a standby generator.
- Several years back a standby generator might have been sold without an automatic transfer switch -- which can add another $1,000 or more -- but today most systems include the transfer switch as part of a package.
Shopping for a standby generator: | - Generators are rated by their kilowatt (kW) output. To estimate the kilowatts desired in an emergency, make a list of all the appliances needed during a power outage and add up the amount of electricity required to start their motors. (A typical refrigerator uses 700 watts when it's running but needs 2,800 watts to start up.) Most generator manufacturers' websites provide an online calculator to estimate the wattage needed -- but it's always good to have the generator sized by a licensed electrician.
- Some of the major standby generator manufacturers include Briggs & Stratton, Cummins Onan, GE, Generac (Guardian), Kohler and Winco. In addition to product information, manufacturers' websites also provide referrals to local dealers.
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Article updated February 2010 |
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