How much does a whole house generator cost in 2026? (Quick answer)

Most homeowners pay $8,000 to $15,000 for a fully installed whole house generator in 2026. The unit itself costs $3,500 to $9,000 for a typical 14–26 kW air-cooled standby; professional installation adds another $3,000 to $6,000, with transfer switch, concrete pad, permits, and gas plumbing accounting for the rest. A 14–18 kW unit covers a typical 2,000 sq ft home; 22–26 kW handles 3,000+ sq ft homes with two HVAC systems. Generac leads the market with the widest dealer network and competitive unit pricing; Kohler offers premium build quality at a 10–15% premium; Briggs & Stratton offers the longest warranty (6 years standard, 10 years through authorized dealers); Cummins is the quietest air-cooled option. Standard natural gas, propane, and diesel generators do not qualify for federal tax credits in 2026 since the Residential Clean Energy Credit expired December 31, 2025, but state and utility rebates plus homeowners insurance discounts of 2–10% remain available.

Generator sizing: what kW does your house actually need?

Before we touch a price tag, you need a number. Buy too small and your AC compressor trips the unit during a heat wave. Buy too big and you’ve blown a couple thousand dollars on capacity you’ll never see. The sweet spot is a load calculation a dealer does on-site, but here’s the back-of-the-envelope version that gets most homeowners within one size class of correct.

Quick sizing reference (most common scenarios in 2026)

One number people miss: starting watts vs. running watts. A 5-ton central AC compressor pulls roughly 2.5× its running wattage in the first half-second of startup. That’s why a “22kW” generator can sometimes struggle on a 3,500 sq ft home that looks fine on paper. Reputable installers in 2026 use Smart Load Management modules — Kohler’s PowerBoost, Generac’s Smart Management Modules, Briggs’s Symphony Choice, Cummins’s Intelligent Load Management — to shed non-critical loads when a big motor kicks in, which lets you go one size smaller without sacrificing comfort. That alone can save $1,500 to $2,500.

2026 cost breakdown: the unit, the install, and the hidden line items

When homeowners ask how much does a Generac cost or what’s a Kohler standby cost installed, dealers tend to give a number that covers the box on the pad — and conveniently leaves out the half-dozen line items between that box and a working backup system. Here’s the real itemized version for 2026 pricing, with the ranges we’re seeing from licensed installers across the U.S.

Two line items catch homeowners off guard. First, the gas plumbing — if your meter sits 80 feet from the generator pad, you’re trenching, and that’s labor. Second, the panel upgrade. Modern 22kW units pull serious current; an old 100-amp service panel from 1978 isn’t going to play nice. If your installer mentions a panel upgrade, that’s not a sales tactic, that’s code.

Whole house generator cost by region (2026)

National averages hide significant regional variation. Labor rates, permit fees, climate-driven code requirements (storm-zone concrete pads and wind ratings, for instance), and local fuel infrastructure all shift the bottom line. Here are typical installed cost ranges for a 22 kW air-cooled standby by region:

California deserves a separate mention. The state’s stricter emissions rules and longer permit cycles routinely push installs above $15,000, and some Bay Area and LA County jurisdictions effectively prohibit new diesel residential generators. If you’re in California, plan for a longer timeline and seriously consider whether a solar + battery system would simplify the permit picture — we’ll come back to that comparison below.

Best whole house generators 2026: side-by-side comparison

We pulled current specs and street pricing on the nine models that dominate 2026 residential installs. Prices reflect the unit only — add installation as detailed above. Sound ratings are in normal load mode; quiet test modes run lower.

A note on manufacturer warranty promotions: Generac runs a free 7-year extended warranty promotion (a $735 value) on home standby units during spring and early summer, with dealer-specific purchase and activation deadlines. Kohler and Briggs & Stratton run their own seasonal incentives. The lesson: always ask your dealer what current promotions stack with your purchase before you sign — these offers genuinely move the needle on long-term value.

Generac vs. Kohler vs. Briggs & Stratton vs. Cummins

Most “best generator” comparison articles read like they were sponsored by whoever paid last. Let’s be honest about who these brands actually are in 2026 and which homeowner each one fits.

Generac: the default for a reason

Generac owns roughly 75% of the residential standby market in North America. That dominance isn’t an accident — it’s the dealer network. When a hurricane wipes out the East Coast and every homeowner with a standby unit needs a service tech, the Generac dealer 20 minutes away has parts in stock. Kohler and Cummins owners sometimes wait weeks. The Guardian 24kW and 26kW are the sweet spots in their lineup, and the new alternator design on the 26kW puts out 230 LRA of starting power — enough to hit two 5-ton AC units cold-start without breaking a sweat.

Best for: homeowners who want maximum dealer support, free Mobile Link monitoring, and the latest features (the 26kW is now Smart Grid Ready, meaning it can opt into virtual power plant programs in supporting utilities). Standard warranty is 5 years; current promotional extensions can bring that to 7 years.

Kohler: the premium build that lasts

Kohler has been in the power-generation business for over a century, and it shows. The 20RCA and 26RCAL run on commercial-grade V-twin engines (the 999cc Command PRO is essentially a light-duty commercial block), and the enclosures are rated to 181 mph wind loads. Real-world reliability data from Houston, Florida Gulf Coast, and Outer Banks installers consistently puts Kohler at the top for “still running fine at 8+ years” — important if you’re in a hurricane zone where the unit might run 100+ hours in a single season.

Trade-off: Kohler costs roughly 10–15% more than the equivalent Generac at the unit level, and the dealer network is thinner. PowerBoost voltage regulation is genuinely impressive for sensitive electronics — home theaters, medical equipment, server rooms.

Best for: long-term thinkers, sensitive-electronics households, and homes in harsh environments (salt air, extreme temperatures, sustained run-time risk).

Briggs & Stratton: the warranty play

Briggs & Stratton’s PowerProtect line — 13kW, 18kW, 22kW, and the industry-leading 26kW air-cooled — is the lineup most people overlook. The differentiator is the warranty: a standard 6-year, parts-labor-and-travel warranty that bumps to 10 years when purchased through an authorized dealer. Nobody else touches that in the standard offering. The Vanguard commercial-grade engine is the same block used in heavy commercial mowing and industrial applications. NGMax technology preserves rated output on natural gas (most generators lose around 10% output on NG vs. propane; Briggs doesn’t).

Trade-off: thinnest dealer network of the big four, and resale value isn’t as well-established as Generac or Kohler. Eco-Cise weekly test runs just 16 seconds — your neighbors will love you.

Best for: homeowners who plan to stay in the house 10+ years and want the longest warranty in the industry.

Cummins: the dark horse

Cummins is the world’s largest manufacturer of standalone engines for a reason — these things are built to run. The QuietConnect RS20A and RS22 are positioned as the quietest air-cooled units in the residential market (65 dB at 23 feet at normal load). The free Cloud Connect monitoring is genuinely solid, and the load management is good for up to four heavy 240V loads. Cummins’s commercial reputation does the heavy lifting on trust.

Trade-off: smallest residential dealer network of the four. Service techs are sometimes routed from the commercial side, which can mean longer response times. Pricing sits between Generac and Kohler.

Best for: noise-sensitive lots (tight suburban setbacks, HOA rules), and engineering-minded buyers who like the Cummins reputation.

Standby generator installation cost: what you’re really paying for

The “installation” line on your quote isn’t one job — it’s six trades coordinating over 1–3 days. Here’s where the $3,000 to $6,000 actually goes for a typical project.

1. Site survey and load calculation — the dealer measures your actual electrical demand and confirms placement that meets local setback rules (typically 18 inches from the home, 5 feet from doors/windows/vents, and clear of property lines).
2. Permits — electrical and gas permits, plus possibly a building permit for the concrete pad. Some jurisdictions add HOA review.
3. Pad and placement — pour and cure concrete, or set a composite base on compacted gravel.
4. Electrical work — running conductors from the generator to the automatic transfer switch, wiring the ATS into your service entrance, possibly upgrading the panel.
5. Gas plumbing — sizing the gas line (a 22kW unit needs significantly more flow than your furnace), trenching if needed, sediment trap, drip leg, and final pressure test by a licensed gas fitter.
6. Commissioning and inspection — first-start test, exercise programming, dealer registration for warranty, municipal inspection sign-off.

One non-obvious cost trap: distance from gas meter and electrical panel. If your generator needs to live 60 feet from both, you’re looking at premium pricing because that’s two long trenches and a lot of conduit. When you walk the property with the installer, try to find a placement that’s close to both — you can save $1,000–$2,500 just by being flexible about location.

Fuel options: natural gas vs. propane vs. diesel

This is the one decision that haunts homeowners for a decade. Pick wrong and you’re stuck dealing with refills during a storm, paying premium prices, or running short on runtime. Here’s how the three options stack up in 2026.

Natural gas

The most common choice if your home is already piped for gas. The big advantage is unlimited runtime — your generator runs as long as the utility keeps gas flowing, which it usually does even when the electric grid is down (gas infrastructure is pressurized and largely independent of electricity). Natural gas burns cleaner than propane or diesel, so engines tend to last longer between major services.

The downside is BTU content. Natural gas delivers about 10% less energy per cubic foot than propane, so generators rated on propane usually produce slightly less power on natural gas. Briggs & Stratton’s NGMax fixes this; most others don’t.

2026 cost to run: roughly $2.50 to $4.00 per hour at full load on a 22kW unit.

Liquid propane (LP)

The right choice if you don’t have a gas line, or if you’re in a rural area where gas service is unreliable. Propane stores indefinitely — a 500-gallon buried tank gives you about 5–7 days of continuous runtime on a 22kW unit. Burns hotter than NG, so you get full nameplate kW.

The catch is the tank. A buried 500-gallon tank installation runs $1,500–$3,500 on its own, plus annual lease or fill costs. And if the outage stretches longer than your tank, you’re calling a delivery truck during a regional disaster — good luck.

2026 cost to run: $4.00 to $6.50 per hour at full load on a 22kW unit, depending on local propane spot prices.

Diesel

The standby choice for industrial and large estate applications, rarely chosen for typical residential. Diesel offers excellent fuel density (long runtime per gallon), and modern diesel standbys are reliable workhorses. But residential diesel units start around 20kW liquid-cooled and run $10,000–$25,000 for the generator alone. Diesel fuel stored long-term needs treatment to prevent algae and gelling, and emissions standards in California and several Northeast states are pushing diesel out of residential applications entirely.

Best for: homes off the gas grid with the budget for an industrial-grade install, or properties where runtime per gallon is the dominant consideration.

Portable vs. standby generator: which makes sense for you?

Before you commit to $10,000+, it’s fair to ask whether a $1,500 portable generator with an interlock kit could do the job. The honest answer: sometimes, yes — but the comparison isn’t apples-to-apples.

If you lose power once a year for four hours, a portable might be perfectly rational. If you lose power three times a year for 8+ hours, work from home, have someone on medical equipment, live somewhere with frequent storms, or simply don’t want to fuss with extension cords at 2 a.m. in a thunderstorm — standby pays for itself in convenience and risk reduction.

Tax credits and rebates 2026: the honest version

Spoiler: standard fossil-fuel generators don’t qualify for federal tax credits, and a lot of dealer marketing pretends otherwise. Here’s what’s actually true in May 2026.

The Residential Clean Energy Credit (30%) — expired Dec 31, 2025

The IRS’s Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) covered 30% of qualified clean energy property installed between 2022 and December 31, 2025. The credit is no longer available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Even when active, this credit applied to solar, wind, geothermal, fuel cells, and battery storage — not to standard natural gas, propane, or diesel generators.

Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) — generators aren’t eligible

The 25C credit covers up to $3,200/year on heat pumps, insulation, exterior doors and windows, biomass stoves, and similar improvements. Whole house generators are not on the eligible list.

What might still work

Medical necessity deduction

If a household member needs the generator to power life-sustaining medical equipment (oxygen concentrator, dialysis, CPAP for severe sleep apnea, etc.) and a physician prescribes it in writing, the cost may qualify as a medical expense deduction to the extent total medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. Documentation matters — get the prescription, keep all receipts, and consult a tax professional.

Business use / rental property

If you run a business from a home office, a portion of the generator cost may be deductible as a business expense. If the generator is in a rental property, you can typically depreciate it over time as a capital improvement.

Solar + battery + generator integration

If you pair a generator install with a new solar and battery system, the solar/battery portion may have qualified for the 30% credit if placed in service by December 31, 2025. Solar-plus-storage continues to make sense in 2026 for resilience-focused homeowners, and pairs well with a smaller generator. See our companion guide on the 2026 solar panel cost, tax credit, and ROI breakdown.

State and utility incentives

Check the DSIRE database for state, utility, and local programs. Some utilities — especially in Texas, Florida, and parts of New England — offer rebates for standby generators tied to demand response programs. Generac’s 26kW Smart Grid Ready unit can opt into virtual power plant programs in supporting utilities, which offsets some of the upfront cost over time.

FEMA disaster reimbursements

If you live in a federally declared disaster area and purchased a generator during the event, you may be able to file for reimbursement at DisasterAssistance.gov. It’s narrow and slow, but real.

Bottom line: if a salesperson tells you there’s a federal tax credit for your gas generator in 2026, ask them to put it in writing. They won’t.

Homeowners insurance discounts for whole house generators

Insurance is where standby generators quietly pay for themselves over time. Carriers love them because they prevent the two most expensive winter claims (frozen pipes that burst) and the most common summer claims (basement flooding from sump pump failure and food spoilage from extended fridge outages). The typical discount in 2026 ranges from 2% to 10% on the dwelling portion of your premium, with most carriers landing around 5%.

Carriers commonly cited as offering generator-related discounts in 2026 include:

• Amica — documented discount of roughly 4% to 10% on the property portion of homeowners policies for automatic standby units
• State Farm — availability and amount vary by state and agent
• Allstate — often available in storm-prone regions
• Farmers — bundled “home protection” discounts that may include generators
• Travelers — discount often stacks with smart-home and security discounts
• Liberty Mutual — available in select states; ask specifically
• USAA — for eligible members; specifics vary by location

To qualify, the unit needs to be permanently installed, automatic-start, fueled by natural gas or propane, and professionally installed with permits. Portable units almost never count. Keep your installation paperwork, permit, and an annual maintenance receipt — your underwriter may ask for proof. The Insurance Information Institute has additional consumer guidance on home insurance discounts and how to ask for them.

If you’re in a coastal or hurricane-prone area, the generator discount stacks with wind-mitigation discounts on hurricane-specific policies. Florida homeowners especially should read our Florida hurricane insurance and coastal coverage guide to understand how these stack. And if you’re not sure what other discounts you’re missing on your existing policy, our guide to hidden homeowners insurance coverages walks through the ones most agents never bring up.

The honest math: on a $2,400/year homeowners premium, a 5% discount is $120/year. That doesn’t pay for the generator, but it does cover most of the annual maintenance contract.

Maintenance, fuel costs, and total cost of ownership

A whole house generator is a piece of machinery with an engine, oil, filters, spark plugs, and a battery — all of which want attention. Skip it and the unit either fails the next time you need it, or voids the warranty. Don’t skip it.

Annual ownership costs in 2026

Routine maintenance contract

$200 – $500 per year. Includes oil change, filter replacements, spark plugs, battery test, full system check. Most dealers offer it as a service plan; some bundle the first year.

Battery replacement

Every 2 to 3 years, roughly $80 – $180 for the standard Group 26R or Group 35 AGM battery.

Fuel during actual outages

On a 22kW unit at 50% load, expect $50 – $120 per day on natural gas, $80 – $180 per day on propane. Most outages last under 24 hours, so a typical year costs $50 – $400 in fuel.

Weekly exercise cycle

Most modern units run a 5-minute weekly self-test. Briggs & Stratton’s Eco-Cise runs just 16 seconds. Generac’s Quiet-Test runs at lower RPM. Annual fuel cost for the exercise cycle is roughly $25 – $60.

10-year total cost of ownership example

For an average 22kW Generac install in a Midwest suburb with one major outage per year:

• Unit + installation: $11,500
• 10 years of maintenance: $3,000
• 2 battery replacements: $250
• 10 years of outage fuel (~5 days total): $400
• Insurance savings over 10 years: -$1,200
• Net 10-year cost: about $13,950

That works out to roughly $1,395 per year of dependable backup power. Whether it’s worth it depends entirely on your outage frequency, your house’s vulnerability (frozen pipes, sump pump dependency, medical needs, work-from-home), and how you value the security of knowing the lights stay on.

Financing a whole house generator in 2026

Writing a $12,000 check upfront isn’t realistic for many homeowners — a large share of installs in 2026 are financed in some form. Four options worth weighing:

0% promotional dealer financing

Generac, Kohler, and Briggs & Stratton all partner with consumer finance lenders (typically Synchrony, Wells Fargo, or GreenSky) to offer 12 to 24 months of 0% interest on qualifying installs. This is genuinely free money if you can pay the balance before the promotional period ends. After that, deferred-interest plans frequently jump to 18–29% retroactive on the entire original balance — which is why dealers love them and unprepared consumers regret them. Use this option only if you have a real plan and the cash flow to pay it off on schedule.

Home equity loan or HELOC

For most homeowners with equity, this is the cheapest long-term option in 2026. Rates currently range from roughly 7.5% to 9.5% depending on credit and lender, with interest potentially deductible if the loan proceeds are used for substantial home improvement (consult your tax advisor). HELOCs offer flexibility; fixed-rate home equity loans offer predictability.

Unsecured personal loan

Faster to close than a HELOC, but rates are higher — typically 10% to 18% for borrowers with strong credit, higher for weaker profiles. Best for homeowners without home equity or those who don’t want a lien on the property.

Pay cash

If you have the savings, this is still the best option. Skip the interest entirely, and you’ll often pick up a small cash discount from independent installers (national chains rarely offer this).

One thing to skip: financing through specialty “generator loan” companies advertising online. Their effective APRs frequently exceed 25%. A HELOC or even a credit union personal loan is almost always cheaper.

Should you install solar plus battery storage instead?

This is the biggest “what if” hanging over the generator decision in 2026, and most generator-focused articles skip it. The honest answer: for many homeowners, a smaller generator paired with solar plus battery storage now beats a bigger standalone generator on total cost, environmental impact, and day-to-day usefulness.

Here’s the math at a glance. A 22 kW Generac install at $12,500 sits idle 99% of the year, providing zero ongoing financial return. A 10 kWh battery + 8 kW solar system at $25,000 to $35,000 (before any state incentives) generates electricity every day, offsetting your utility bill by $1,200–$1,800 per year in moderate-rate markets, while providing 12–24 hours of backup power per outage. Over a 15-year horizon, the solar + battery system often nets out cheaper despite the higher upfront cost, especially in states with high electric rates.

The catch is runtime. Solar + battery handles short and medium outages elegantly; multi-day outages in winter (when solar production is lowest) still favor a generator. That’s why many resilience-focused homeowners in 2026 are landing on a hybrid approach: solar + battery for daily use and most outages, plus a smaller (10–14 kW) standby generator as long-duration insurance for the worst-case scenarios.

For the full economics, including how the 30% federal solar credit interacted with December 31, 2025 install deadlines and what state-level incentives still exist, our 2026 solar panel cost, tax credit, and ROI guide walks through the numbers in detail.

Smart buying tips for 2026

A few hard-won lessons from talking to dealers and homeowners over the last year:

1. Get three quotes, not one. Installation pricing varies by $2,000 to $4,000 between local dealers for the exact same unit. Multiple quotes also reveal who’s actually licensed and insured versus who’s a one-truck operation.
2. Buy in spring, install before storm season. Demand spikes after the first major outage of the year. April to early June is the sweet spot for both pricing and installer availability. By August, you might be waiting 8–12 weeks.
3. Ask about manufacturer promotions. Generac’s extended warranty promotion typically runs through spring and early summer with installation deadlines. Kohler and Briggs run their own seasonal rebates. Always ask.
4. Don’t oversize “just to be safe.” A 24kW costs about $1,500 more than a 20kW, runs noisier, burns more fuel, and is overkill for most homes under 2,500 sq ft. Use load management modules instead.
5. Check dealer reviews specifically for service. Buying the unit is one transaction. Getting the unit serviced for 10 years is a relationship. Verify the dealer’s service team responds during regional outage events — that’s when you actually need them.
6. Verify the warranty registration. Manufacturer warranties only activate after dealer registration, and a meaningful share of new installs slip through the cracks because the dealer drops the ball. Confirm registration in writing within 30 days of activation.
7. Consider financing carefully. Many dealers offer 0% promotional financing for 12–24 months. That’s free money if you can pay it off in the promo period. After that, deferred-interest rates often jump to 18–29%. Don’t drift past the promo window.
8. Ask if your unit is Smart Grid Ready. If your utility offers a virtual power plant program, your generator may be able to earn small payments by occasionally supporting the grid during demand spikes. This is new in 2026 and growing fast.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Generac whole house generator cost installed in 2026?

A Generac Guardian whole house generator costs $8,000 to $16,000 fully installed in 2026, depending on size (14kW to 26kW), local labor rates, and installation complexity. The unit itself runs $3,500 to $9,000; installation adds $3,000 to $6,000; transfer switch, pad, permits, and gas/electric work make up the rest.

What size generator do I need for a 2,000 sq ft house?

A 14kW to 18kW air-cooled standby generator handles a typical 2,000 sq ft home, including a 3- to 4-ton central AC, kitchen appliances, water heater, and standard household loads. For 3,000+ sq ft homes or homes with two AC units, step up to 22kW or 26kW.

Is a whole house generator worth the cost?

For homeowners who lose power more than once or twice a year, work from home, have medical equipment dependencies, or live in storm-prone regions, the answer is usually yes. Beyond convenience, standby generators prevent costly damage (frozen pipes, flooded basements, spoiled food) and add measurable resale value, particularly in hurricane- and outage-prone regions where buyers increasingly treat backup power as a baseline expectation.

How long does a whole house generator last?

Properly maintained, a quality whole house generator lasts 15 to 30 years, or 2,000 to 3,000 hours of standby operation. The engine itself can run 10,000+ hours total if serviced on schedule. Skip maintenance and lifespan drops dramatically — to as little as 5 to 7 years.

Can I install a whole house generator myself?

No, not legally and not safely. Standby generator installation requires licensed electrical work, gas plumbing by a certified gas fitter, municipal permits, and inspection. DIY installation voids the manufacturer warranty, eliminates insurance discount eligibility, and creates serious risks of fire, electrical shock, and carbon monoxide poisoning.

How noisy is a whole house generator?

Modern air-cooled standby generators run between 56 and 70 decibels at 23 feet at normal load — roughly the volume of a conversation or a window AC. Quiet-test modes (used during the weekly self-test) drop to the low 50s. Kohler’s 26RCAL at 56 dB and Generac’s 26kW Quiet-Test at 57 dB are the quietest air-cooled options in 2026.

Does homeowners insurance cover whole house generator damage?

Most standard homeowners policies cover damage to a permanently installed standby generator under dwelling coverage (Coverage A), if the damage results from a covered peril like fire, lightning, theft, or windstorm. Normal wear, mechanical failure, and damage from improper maintenance are not covered. Confirm your specific policy with your agent, especially in flood and hurricane zones.

How long does installation take?

For a typical residential install, expect 1 to 3 days of on-site work, plus 2 to 6 weeks of lead time for permits and inspection. Complicated installs (panel upgrades, long trenches, propane tank install) can stretch to a week.

Do whole house generators qualify for tax credits in 2026?

Standard natural gas, propane, and diesel whole house generators do not qualify for federal tax credits in 2026. The Residential Clean Energy Credit (30%) covered only solar, wind, geothermal, fuel cells, and battery storage, and expired for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Some state programs and utility rebates apply; check the DSIRE database. Generators may qualify as medical expense deductions if medically necessary and prescribed by a physician.

Generac vs. Kohler — which is better?

Generac offers a wider dealer network, free Mobile Link monitoring, and slightly lower pricing at most kW levels. Kohler offers better long-term durability, quieter operation, and commercial-grade engine quality. For most homeowners, Generac is the practical choice; for harsh environments or sensitive electronics, Kohler is worth the premium.

How much fuel does a whole house generator use?

A 22kW generator at 50% load uses roughly 200 cubic feet of natural gas per hour (about $2.50–$4 per hour at 2026 prices) or 2 to 3 gallons of propane per hour ($4–$6.50 per hour). At full load, multiply by roughly 1.6x.

Glossary of generator terms

Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS)

The device that disconnects your home from the utility grid and connects it to the generator when power fails — and reverses the process when utility power returns. Service-entrance-rated (SER) ATS units mount between the meter and main panel and replace your main disconnect.

Air-cooled vs. liquid-cooled

Air-cooled generators (up to 26kW residential) use forced air over the engine for cooling — simpler and cheaper. Liquid-cooled generators (typically 30kW+) use coolant like a car engine — more expensive, but built for sustained high loads and longer life.

kW (kilowatt)

The unit of electrical power output. A 22kW generator delivers 22,000 watts continuously. Generator sizing is about matching kW capacity to your home’s actual demand under load.

LRA (Locked Rotor Amps)

The surge current an AC compressor or large motor draws at startup, typically 4 to 6 times its running current. Generator surge capacity needs to exceed your largest motor’s LRA.

Load management module

A relay device that disconnects non-essential 240V loads (like a second AC or a pool pump) during peak demand, letting a smaller generator handle a larger home. Generac calls it Smart Management Modules; Kohler uses PowerBoost and Load Shed Kit; Briggs & Stratton uses Symphony; Cummins uses Intelligent Load Management.

NFPA 37

The fire-safety code that governs generator placement — including the 18-inch minimum distance from structures and 5-foot distance from openings.

Smart Grid Ready

A 2026 designation meaning the generator can opt into a utility’s virtual power plant program, supplying limited grid support during peak demand events in exchange for compensation.

THD (Total Harmonic Distortion)

A measure of power “cleanliness.” Less than 5% THD is considered safe for sensitive electronics. Cheap generators can hit 15%+ THD and damage modern electronics over time.