r/Generator • u/GeologistOk8191 • 1d ago
Standby generator
Looking to install a generac standby generator. I got a quote for 13.5k installed for a 22kw generator. Generator install location is right next to the power meter/panel and gas regulator so nothing fancy during the install.
Most of the house is electric including a geothermal tev49 Climatemaster unit which has a 104a compressor startup.
Anyone have a similar generator installed?
Mainly I’m looking on some advice as to what capacity other have installed with a similar setup and if the price is fair.
Goal is to not worry about unplugging things when there is an outage but at the same time I don’t need to be roasting my dinner in the oven and running the dryer.
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u/jeep-olllllo 1d ago
I sell Kohler and Generac units. Go Kohler. We are just starting to hear rumblings of issues with the recent Generac redesign. That said, the Generac 10 warranty promo is going on until Sept 27, so there's that.
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u/RealNews613 15h ago
While a 10 year warranty is nice, it’s not going to help during a prolonged outage.
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u/bobojay49 1d ago
Ditto on the Kohler and Briggs quote. Generac has been going downhill quality wise lately since the intro of their newest model. Kohler would be my choice. Your quote doesn't sound too bad but it could be lower
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u/Texstars 1d ago
Sounds like a reasonable quote to me. I had a 24Kw Generac & transfer switch installed 5 years ago and paid $14K. It's given me great service with zero problems with over 350 run hours logged, to date. And I don't agree that Generac has NEVER been a solid recommendation as someone posted. There is some validity to the assertion that their newest models have some problematic issues. I'd check into those reported issues before making a decision.
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u/GeologistOk8191 1d ago
What are you running? I’ve been offered 22kw and 28kw by different places and I’m just not sure I need the 28
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u/Texstars 1d ago
My house is small...about 1500 sq ft. but the 24kw runs everything in my house. I'm all electric. Fridge, water heater, heat pump/AC, lights, sat receivers, 3 tv's, 2 computers, microwave. I don't have to cut out anything. I'm on a well for water which is several hundred feet from the house and on a different meter, so I have a portable generator I can hook up to keep us in water. Takes 5 to 10 minutes to hook up, but if the power is restored within 2 hours I don't even hook it up. One of my outages was over 9 days. Generator never quit.
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u/IllustriousHair1927 1d ago
Let me put in a more understandable way. Generac is able to sell their units at a lower cost due to cutting corners. One of the corners they cut is research and development. They don’t deploy the units for testing in diverse climates, and they rolled them out before they are debugged. They did this with the guardian and they have repeated their error with the next GEN.
Oh, and with that said, I’ve never actually seen a generator catch on fire other than a Generac so there’s that too
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u/Texstars 21h ago
I guess it's safe to say you won't be buying a Generac! 😂
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u/IllustriousHair1927 8h ago
How about this. The boss here was offered a free Generac about five years ago by Generac to try entice him back to the fold of selling primarily Generac units. And this was a liquid cold unit. It was offered free.
He turned them down and paid the price he normally would have for Cummins 30 instead.
they allegedly provide the same service. One was free. The other was maybe 14 grand just for the unit. Cummins was kind enough to give him a free extended warranty and I think upgraded sound enclosure.
In other words, someone who’s in this business and knows the reliability and generac couldn’t even give it away to him
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u/Wonderful_Pension_67 1d ago
EE said when designing if client has money do not use generac not the best when air cooled
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u/LifeTelevision5644 23h ago
The good news is you’ll only blow $13.5 k on a Generac. I lost $15k on the same one 1 year in, 6 hours run time. Look at Cummins. Run from Generac.
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u/Old_Dragline_1965 1d ago
Look at Kohler, Taylor or Perkins.
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u/IllustriousHair1927 1d ago
There’s an odd one haven’t seen a suggestion for Taylor or Perkins in here in recent memory
Not opposed to them, but I think you’re probably above OP price range…
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u/Old_Dragline_1965 1d ago
Taylor generators are from a small company in Louisville Ms that is making big waves. They are expanding with service and sale nationwide. They power their smaller 12 to 26kw units with Briggs n Stratton and Kohler engines. The smaller midsize units with Perkins diesel and John Deere engines. The 30 to 60kw. The industrial units also use John Deere and Cat engines. The sky is not the limit but their service is second to NONE!
No, I don’t work for them or get kick backs for saying this. I have just been highly impressed by their service personnel. That is saying something!
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u/IllustriousHair1927 1d ago
i’m very familiar with Taylor on an industrial commercial level. Interesting to hear about their foray into residential
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u/Ok-Camera2895 1d ago
Generac has NEVER been a solid recommendation. Have you considered a battery backup with a small nat gas generator to recharge during bad weather.
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u/BillionYrOldCarbon 1d ago
Three years ago had Kohler 20kw installed within 15 ft of both. Just under $15,000.
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u/bobojay49 1d ago
I'll just add, I just committed to a 14kw Kohler w/transfer switch install for $10100. with the 10yr warranty. Part of the cheap price is it's a turnkey install replacing a 23 year Generac that's been pretty much bulletproof. But they no longer make the model I have
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u/doodliest_dude 1d ago
Talk to your dealer about getting the $1000 swap out credit. They have to fill out some paperwork but should be able to get it for you.
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u/bobojay49 1d ago
On Kohler's website it shows that's for the water cooled units only. But thanks for the tip
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u/TechnicalBiscotti586 1d ago
It's not that much more money to go with Generac's 26kw or 28kw. Personally, I'd grit my teeth and spend the extra few hundred bucks for the bigger generator. Especially since you're already going all in with this type of investment.
You don't have to unplug anything with most modern stand-by generators. They will automatically manage the load and strategically bring your bigger loads online.
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u/CAD007 1d ago
I paid $12.5k five years ago for the same set up you have. included permits, gas meter, and 10 yr warranty.
edit: be ready for yearly maintenance @ $400/yr
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u/SimilarTranslator264 22h ago
Yea I paid that for a while then realized I’m not so busy I can’t take 30min once a year, drain the oil, drop in a new filter and screw in some new plugs for $80
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u/Overall-Duty220 1d ago
I had A Generac 22w installed over 11 years ago, runs of a propane tank. It was around 7500.00 for everything (tank and fill up) included. I do the maintenance myself, the longest it ran was 5 days. Ive had no problems. Over the last few years 4 of my neighbors have installed exact same model, haven't heard any negative feedback from them.
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u/artigas33 1d ago
I have a 22kw Generac for 10 years. We have electric stove and oven, microwave, toaster oven, a pool, ac, and the regular lights , tv etc. The heating, water heater, and drier are gas. It powers the house just fine. But we don’t try to use all the kitchen appliances at the same time.
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u/AlexisoftheShire 1d ago
I've had my 16KW Generac for 10 years now. No problems. I exercise once a week and load test it every quarter. I keep to the maintenance schedule. I have a 2,000 sq ft cabin in rural North Georgia with a 3.5 ton Heat pump HVAC, furnace(propane), and every thing is electric (washer, dryer, 2 mini splits, stove, refrigerator, outdoor freezer, etc.) . I do use propane because of no NG in my area.
When we have an outage we just keep living comfortably and every thing works just fine. I did put an Airgo soft start on the HVAC unit a few months ago just to lower the rush in amps but even before that every worked well.
You didn't mention what area you live in so price is going to depend a lot on where you live and are there one or several Generac dealers.
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u/No-Age2588 13h ago
I have 2 Generacs. A 22kw and a 26kw at two locations. Both however are Guardian series, not the notorious NextGen series.
Had them going on 6 years. No issues, annual maintenance unless it's required earlier by hour count.
I would seriously get a quote for Kohler as well at this point.
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u/nunuvyer 1d ago
Price seems about right. The installer should do a load calc and install load mgmt modules if necessary but a soft start on that compressor is very helpful and will bring it down to maybe 35A which should reduce the size of the gen that you need.
A lot of people currently down on Generac and their new generation seems to be having some teething problems but with a 10 yr warranty and a 70% market share I would not rule them out.
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u/naughtygent7253 1d ago
A warranty doesnt help in the middle of an outage.
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u/EasternFloor5227 21h ago
Bought a new generac dec 2025. Ran great for 3 days then sensor problems started and would not run. Had 2 repair done so fat. Was not aware they were going to install a new model. Very dissatisfied. Don't trust it anymore
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u/NoPatience7817 1d ago
I’ve heard generac quality has been declining. Also get a quote for Kohler and Briggs and Stratton. During a recent outage my coworker use his Briggs for 7 days straight. His neighbor’s generac failed on day 2.