Updated October 2026 by Wolf River Electric, an authorized Generac dealer serving the Midwest.
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Whole house generator prices by size (2026)
| Generac size | Ballpark price, installed | Typical home |
|---|---|---|
| 14 kW | About $13,500 | Essentials plus a well pump or garage |
| 18 kW | About $15,500 | Most of a mid-size home |
| 22 kW | About $16,600 | Whole home, about 2,000 to 3,000 square feet, including central air |
| 24 kW | About $17,300 | Larger homes with central air |
| 26 kW | About $17,700 | Larger homes, shops and all-electric homes |
These are ballpark prices for Generac home standby generators installed by Wolf River Electric in 2026, including the automatic transfer switch. They are a starting point for planning, not a quote, and prices may change without notice. For sizes not listed, such as 10 kW or 28 kW, ask us for a quote.
Why a bigger generator costs only a little more
Going from a 14 kW to a 26 kW generator adds about $4,200. Much of the work is the same at any size: the permit, the pad, the transfer switch, the wiring, the fuel connection and startup. That is why undersizing to save money rarely pays off.
Oversizing doesn’t pay either. A larger unit uses more fuel at full load and can need a bigger gas meter. The right size comes from a load calculation, not square footage alone. Our guide to what size generator you need walks through it.
What affects your installed price
- Fuel connection. Natural gas generators need a gas meter and line big enough to feed them. A long gas line run, or a meter upgrade by your gas utility, adds cost.
- Propane tank. Homes without natural gas need a propane tank sized for the generator. Tanks are usually set up through your propane supplier.
- Transfer switch. A whole-house, service-rated transfer switch costs more than a smaller switch that backs up a list of essential circuits.
- Load management. Modules that pause big loads like central air for a moment can let a smaller generator do the job.
- Electrical upgrades. An older or full electrical panel, or a service upgrade, adds cost.
- Placement and site work. Distance from your panel and gas meter, and the clearances from windows, doors and vents that code and Generac require.
- Permits and local rules. Electrical permits and, in some towns, zoning or setback approvals.
Natural gas or propane: how fuel changes the cost
The generator itself costs the same on either fuel. What changes is the setup around it.
| Natural gas | Propane (LP) | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup cost | Gas line from the meter; a meter upgrade if yours is too small | A propane tank sized for the generator, plus the line to it |
| Fuel supply | Piped in by your utility, so it doesn’t run out | Stored on site, so run time depends on tank size |
| Output | Slightly lower rated output on the same unit | Full rated output |
| Best for | Homes with natural gas service | Rural homes and farms |
Warranty
Generac home standby generators come with Generac’s 5-year limited warranty. As an authorized Generac dealer, we register your warranty at startup and offer Generac extended warranty coverage for longer protection.
Generator or battery: how the costs compare
A home battery is quiet, needs no fuel and pairs with solar, but it covers hours of backup rather than days unless solar recharges it. EnergySage’s October 2026 data puts home batteries in Minnesota at about $1,156 per kWh before incentives, or roughly $15,000 for a 13 kWh battery. Minnesota’s battery rebates apply only to batteries paired with solar, not to fuel-burning generators. Read our battery vs generator comparison and home battery backup page.
How to get an exact price
- Tell us what you want running during an outage.
- A licensed electrician visits to check your panel, your gas meter or propane setup and where the unit can sit.
- We calculate your loads and recommend a size, transfer switch and any load management.
- You get a written quote with options.
Whole house generator cost questions
How much does a 22 kW Generac cost installed?
About $16,600 with Wolf River Electric, based on our 2026 ballpark pricing, including the automatic transfer switch. Your final price depends on your fuel setup and site.
How much does a generator cost for a 2,000 square foot house?
Most 2,000 square foot homes land on an 18 to 22 kW generator for whole-home backup, or about $15,500 to $16,600 ballpark installed. A smaller unit for essential circuits costs less.
Is a whole house generator worth the cost?
It depends on how often you lose power and what an outage costs you: frozen pipes, a flooded basement from a dead sump pump, spoiled food or lost work. Homes on a well, with medical equipment or in areas with frequent storm outages get the most value.
How long does installation take?
Most home standby installs take one to two days on site once the permit and fuel connection are scheduled.
Can I get a price without a site visit?
We can give you a ballpark by phone using the table above. An exact price needs a site visit, because gas meter size, panel condition and placement change the cost.
Are there tax credits or rebates for standby generators?
Fuel-burning standby generators don’t qualify for clean energy tax credits, and Minnesota’s battery rebates require a battery paired with solar. If incentives matter to you, ask us about a battery with solar.
Get your generator price
Wolf River Electric is an authorized Generac dealer with licensed electricians in every state we serve. See our whole house generator installation page, or get my free quote.
Sources: Wolf River Electric 2026 ballpark Generac pricing (prices may change without notice); Generac home standby specifications and limited warranty (2026); EnergySage home battery cost data (October 2026); Minnesota Department of Commerce residential battery incentive program (2026).
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