Backup Generators · FAQ

Backup generator FAQ

The most common questions come down to four numbers: about $5,090 for an average whole-house install, roughly 663 minutes of average outage time in 2024 including major storm days, at least 20 feet of clearance for a portable generator, and at least 1,332 portable generator carbon monoxide deaths recorded from 2004 through 2021.

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Most generator questions are really one question in disguise: am I being sold more than I need? The defense is boring and effective — a written load list, three itemized bids, and a check of your own utility's outage history before you talk to anyone.

The second most common theme is safety, and here the answer is uncomfortable but simple. Portable generators are dangerous in a way standby units are not, and the danger is almost entirely about placement. The rule is 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages, outdoors, always.

The third theme is permits and code. Those answers are local. Anyone who tells you what your city requires without having checked is guessing, including us. Call the building department.

Below are the questions we get most often, answered with the sourced numbers rather than rules of thumb.

How to choose

Anchor on ranges, not single figures: The $5,090 average hides a $1,524–$8,658 typical range. Where you land depends on size, fuel and site.
Ask your utility for your address's outage history: Many utilities will tell you. It beats any national average for deciding whether to spend thousands.
Insist on written answers about permits: "We handle it" isn't an answer. Which permits, at what fee, in whose name.
Don't negotiate on safety items: Transfer switch, clearances and CO alarms are not where you find savings.
Get three itemized bids: Two bids tell you nothing about which one is the outlier.

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FAQ

Backup Generators faq — common questions

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How much does a backup generator cost?

A whole-house standby install averages about $5,090 nationally, typically $1,524 to $8,658. The unit alone runs roughly $2,000–$3,500 at 7.5–10 kW and $5,000–$6,500 at 20–24 kW, with labor adding $1,500–$5,000.

Is a backup generator worth it?

It depends on your outage exposure. In 2024 the average U.S. customer lost about 663 minutes of power including major events but only about 132 minutes excluding them — so it's largely insurance against storms. Wells, sump pumps and medical equipment strengthen the case considerably.

How far should a portable generator be from the house?

At least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages, and always outdoors, per Ready.gov.

How long do backup generators last?

A well-maintained standby unit is generally expected to last at least 20 years, with service at $80–$300 per visit along the way.

Do I need a permit?

For a permanently installed standby generator, usually an electrical permit and a gas permit, commonly $50–$200 each. Confirm the specifics with your local building department — the rules are set locally.

Sources

Where these figures come from

Bob Vila — Whole-House Generator Cost · retrieved 2026-07-26
Bob Vila — Whole-House Generator Installation · retrieved 2026-07-26
EIA — Reliability Metrics of U.S. Distribution System (Table 11.1) · retrieved 2026-07-26
Ready.gov — Power Outages: Generator Safety · retrieved 2026-07-26
CPSC — Safety Standard for Portable Generators, Supplemental NPRM, via GovInfo · retrieved 2026-07-26