How Much Does a Whole-House Generator Cost? (2026)
As of 2026, a whole-house standby generator in the Becker and St. Cloud area typically costs $5,000 to $15,000 installed, and can run $15,000 to $22,000 or more for a large 30 kW-plus unit. Generator size is the biggest driver, sized to keep your furnace, well pump, and fridge running through a Minnesota winter outage.
How much does a whole-house generator cost by size?
The single biggest thing that moves the price is how much of your house you want the generator to power.
| Generator size | What it covers | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|---|
| Essential circuits (12-16 kW) | Furnace, fridge, sump pump, some lights and outlets | $5,000 - $8,000 |
| Whole-house coverage (20-26 kW) | Everything, including AC, range, dryer, and water heater | $8,000 - $15,000 |
| Large homes or heavy loads (30 kW+) | Big homes, electric heat, workshops, or multiple AC zones | $15,000 - $22,000 |
| Buried propane tank (if no gas line) | 500-gallon tank and installation | $1,500 - $3,000 |
| Annual maintenance | Yearly oil change and inspection | $150 - $300 |
These are 2026 market ranges for the Becker and St. Cloud area, not a quote for your home. Call (763) 238-5331 and Xpert Electric will size your home for free. You get one clear written price before any work starts.
What size generator do you actually need?
It depends on which circuits you cannot live without. A 12 to 16 kW unit covers the basics. That means the furnace, the fridge, the sump pump, and a few lights and outlets. It keeps the house safe and warm. But the AC, the electric dryer, and the oven stay off during an outage.
A 20 to 26 kW unit is whole-house coverage. It runs everything. That includes the AC, the electric range, the dryer, and the water heater. This is the size most Becker and St. Cloud area homeowners pick. Many local homes sit on owner-occupied acreage, and those homeowners tend to want full coverage, not just the basics.
Large homes can push the load past 30 kW. So can electric heat, a heated shop, or more than one AC zone. An electrician calculates your home's real load first, then recommends the right size. A unit that is too big wastes money. A unit that is too small cannot keep up and may shut down under load. Read more about how a standby generator works.
Does natural gas or propane change the cost?
Yes, but mostly through the connection. Not the generator itself. If your home already has a natural gas line, the generator connects to it. Sometimes the line needs a size upgrade first. If you do not have natural gas, you need a buried propane tank. A 500-gallon tank typically adds $1,500 to $3,000 for the tank and the install.
Running cost differs too. Natural gas costs less per hour than propane. During a long outage, a 22 kW generator on natural gas costs roughly $3 to $5 per hour to run. The weekly test cycle only runs about 10 to 15 minutes, so it uses very little fuel either way.
What else drives the price up or down?
A few other things move the number:
- The transfer switch and panel. The generator connects through an automatic switch. That switch wires into your electrical panel. An older or undersized panel can add cost to the job.
- The concrete pad. The generator sits outside on a poured pad. The pad is sized to the unit.
- Permits and inspection. A generator's transfer switch is a permitted job. Minnesota permits filed since July 1, 2023 get checked against the 2023 National Electrical Code. That code sets the current safety rules for the switch.
- Brand and features. Generac, Kohler, and Briggs and Stratton all make solid units. Smart monitoring features add to the price.
Is a whole-house generator worth the cost in Becker and St. Cloud winters?
For most homeowners here, yes. NOAA's 30-year averages show St. Cloud Regional Airport gets 45.7 inches of snow in a normal season. The average daily low sits at 32.1 degrees. That much snow and ice is what tears down power lines and service masts. That is what causes the multi-day winter outages a standby generator is built to cover.
A single burst pipe from a frozen furnace can cost $5,000 to $20,000 or more in water damage. A generator keeps the furnace running. It protects the sump pump too. It saves the food in your freezer. And it keeps powered medical equipment running for anyone who needs it. See how to prepare your home for a winter outage if you are still weighing a generator against a portable unit or a battery system.
What does the installation actually involve?
Tim sizes the generator based on your home's real load. Then he coordinates the gas or propane connection. He also handles the concrete pad and the permit himself. The pad gets poured. The generator gets set and wired to the transfer switch and the panel. The fuel line gets connected. Everything gets tested before the city inspection.
The full installation typically takes one to two days once the equipment arrives. Lead times on generators can stretch out, especially heading into winter. Planning ahead matters. Xpert Electric does not offer emergency same-day installs, so book before the first storm hits. Owner Tim has 20 years of hands-on electrician experience. Every install carries a 1-year parts and labor guarantee.
Get a written price from Xpert Electric
We install standby generator installation for homeowners across Becker, Monticello, Clear Lake, Big Lake, and the St. Cloud area. Tim handles the sizing, the fuel connection, and the permit himself, and every install carries a 1-year parts and labor guarantee.
Request a free estimate and get a clear written price before we start.
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FAQ
Related questions
Do I need a permit for a standby generator in Minnesota?
Yes. The generator's automatic transfer switch is a permitted electrical job, and any permit filed since July 1, 2023 is inspected against the 2023 National Electrical Code. Xpert Electric pulls the permit and books the inspection as part of the job.
How long does a whole-house generator installation take?
The full installation typically takes one to two days once the equipment arrives. The concrete pad is poured, the generator is set and wired to the transfer switch and panel, the gas or propane line is connected, and everything is tested and inspected.
How much does it cost to run a whole-house generator during an outage?
Fuel cost depends on the size and the fuel type. A 22 kW generator running on natural gas costs roughly $3 to $5 per hour during an extended outage. Weekly exercise cycles (about 10 to 15 minutes) use very little fuel.