How much for a whole home generator?

You can purchase the generator equipment for $4,500 or so. Get an electrician to install it and save tons of money.

Some friends just had a Generac installed from Lowe's
8 Grand out the door - everything
They say it's well worth it
3,000 sq ft home

IMO I would budget 10K for a 20/22KW Gen set. Transfer switch etc installed. You should come in under budget.

10K to 20k depending on brand, type, size, NG/Elec layout. 10K range for air cooled big box brand/models. 15 and up for water cooled more commercial type units. Water cooled units usually last longer and are quieter.

I have a 30KW water cooled. The radiator cooling fan is louder than the rest of the unit while running. Neighbor has a 20KW air cooled. His sounds like he is cutting the grass when it kicks on. Fan noise is louder up close on mine but dissipates quickly when moving away. His engine noise carries farther, just like a mower but quieter. My exhaust is a big muffler with a lower tone more like a big truck, his is more of the mower tone muffler.

Mine runs at 1800 rpm, his at 3600. Mine is inline 6 his is a V Twin modified mower engine.

Mine will probably last probably forever, I’d give his maybe 1500 Hrs or less.

Build quality is different too, mine is 2500 lbs being more commercial, not sure of the weight of his but two guys muscled it into place when it was installed. I had to get a rotator to drop mine on the pad.

Big con is mine burns close to 500 cf an hour at my homes full load, his probably only burns 150 to 300 I would guess.

Mine is 35 years old with only regular maintenance, his is 4 years old and has had several problems one he said cost over 500 for some part, believe it was the elec governor.

Long story short lots of variables beyond just the price of the unit itself.

If you get a big box type, do an extended warranty and service contract. He said that has saved his butt multiple times.

Plumber 100%.

How much does a watercooled generator add to the price?

You will not regret the water cooled unit. One reason they are more expensive is bc they have a 4 or 6 cylinder car type engine vs the lawnmower engine in the air cooled sets. They are also usually 1800 RPM making them have a 4 pole generator. To get 60hz power (what we have in the US) you need 1800 RPM on a 4 pole generator and 3600 RPM on a 2 pole generator. Just about everything on them is usually higher quality and heavier duty than the air cooled units, which also justifies the higher price tag.

One thing I like about mine is it has a standard ford industrial 6. I can get just about any part at any auto parts store for the engine side. One of my friends has a newer Kohler unit that has a more modern 4 cylinder. I think it has a GM motor, he to can probably get most of his engine parts and maintenance items from any auto parts store. He is richer than me and has it serviced twice a year with the company that installed it.

I would bet a new water cooled 22kw would probably cost 10,000 to 14,000 or more for the unit, depending on the brand.

Agree with TD1. You can go the cheap route or the quality route.

A few generator facts: many will not honor the warranty unless an authorized dealer does a initial start up. This should be permitted so inspections will come. Use license people for plumbing and electrical.

Generators are generally rated using propane as fuel, if using NG expect about 10-15% less capacity.

The best advise is to turn on everything you want the generator to power and let someone measure the amps being used. From this the size can be determined.

I was right at the limit of a 22kw, but decided to go to a water cooled 25kw. Very quite running at 1800 rpm. I had mine installed 3 years ago and was just north of 15K.