Home backup generators are becoming an increasingly popular choice for many families across the United States. Severe weather conditions, frequent power outages, and an aging power grid have driven the demand for reliable backup power solutions. Almost 15% of households (20 million homes) across America have some form of backup generator installed[1].
While more Americans want to install these systems, many of them struggle to calculate the cost of backup generator installed. Although the exact cost of installing a home backup generator depends on a lot of factors, there are some common practices that will help you greatly reduce the cost of backup generator installed so that you can get a backup home generator in a cost-effective way.
Jackery brings top-notch portable house battery backup generators that will end your home emergency electricity worries once and reduce your cost of backup generator installed; keep reading to learn more!
Types of Home Backup Generators
In order to better understand the cost of backup generator installed, we first need to know the different types of these systems, since the home backup generator cost varies significantly from generator to generator.
Portable Generators
Portable generators are compact and versatile units that can easily be moved from one location to another. These generators can further be divided into two categories: solar generators and fuel-based generators.
Fuel-based generators work on the principle of combustion and need to be constantly filled with fuel. On the other hand, solar generators manufacture electricity by harnessing sunlight, which means that they will help you get free and clean energy throughout their lifespan. Solar portable generators also come with lower maintenance costs, while fuel-based portable generators have relatively higher maintenance.
Standby (Whole-House) Generators
The second type of home electricity backup solution is the standby generator, also referred to as a whole-house generator. These systems act as a comprehensive and hands-off power solution and are permanently installed outside the home. They are extremely reliable, connected directly to the electrical system, and automatically activated during a power outage.
However, the standby generator installation cost is quite high. In addition to that, these generators have high operational costs and require frequent maintenance to ensure reliable performance and prevent potential failures during critical times.
Factors Influencing the Cost of Backup Generator Installed
Now let’s look at the factors that can influence the home generator installation cost.
Type of Generator
The type of generator you choose will play a major role in determining the cost of backup generator installed. Portable generators have lower upfront and installation costs. However, standby generators come with a higher installation and capital cost due to their larger size and complex operation. For these generators, you need a professional installation until or unless you have top-notch expertise in the installation of these systems.
Fuel Source
As fuel is a recurring cost for many types of generators, it becomes a major determinant in calculating the overall cost of backup generator installed.
Standby generators usually run on natural gas or propane, and connecting to an existing gas line or installing a propane tank will add to the installation costs. Diesel-powered generators also require a backup fuel reserve so that you can power the generator in emergencies without finding the fuel at the last moment.
Among all the home electricity generators, solar generators are the most cost-effective in terms of fuel supply since they use solar energy, which is absolutely free and will keep on powering your appliances free of cost whenever you want.
Installation Complexity
More complex systems like whole-house solutions have a higher cost of backup generator installed. Portable generators are mostly DIY setups, which means that their installation is essentially free of cost. On the other hand, standby generators have complex functionality and require a lot of safety measures, apart from the need for their professional installation. All of these things make the installation process of standby generators quite expensive.
Common Range of Installation Cost
Now let’s see the overall cost of backup generator installed for different types of systems. While the exact cost will depend on all of the above factors, here is some general estimate that will give you a rough idea of how much money you should expect to spend on these systems.
| Generator Type | Upfront Cost | Installation Cost | Total Installed Cost |
| Portable Generator | $500 – $2,500 | Mostly DIY | $500 – $2,500 |
| Standby Generator (5-10 kW) | $3,000 – $6,000 | $2,500 – $5,000 | $5,500 – $11,000 |
| Standby Generator (10-15 kW) | $4,000 – $6,000 | $3,500 – $7,000 | $7,500 – $13,000 |
| Standby Generator (15-20 kW) | $4,500 – $8,000 | $4,500 – $8,000 | $9,000 – $16,000 |
| Standby Generator (20-25 kW) | $8,000 – $12,000 | $6,000 – $10,000 | $14,000 – $22,000 |
How to Reduce Home Electricity Backup Generator Installation Cost?
Reducing the cost of backup generator installed is possible with careful planning and a few strategic steps. Here are some effective ways to lower these costs while still ensuring that your generator meets your power needs.
Choose the Right Size Generator
One of the simplest ways to cut down on the cost of backup generator installed is to avoid oversizing your generator. Many homeowners get carried away with the larger generators, which leads to higher upfront and installation cost.
In order to properly analyze what size of generator you need, conduct a thorough analysis of your home electricity needs, which will help you avoid purchasing over-sized generators. Apart from high upfront costs, larger generators also have more complexities and maintenance needs, which increases their operational costs as well.
DIY Site Preparation
When you prepare the installation site yourself, you end up reducing the cost of backup generator installed to some extent. If you are planning to run a standby generator, you can level the ground, clear debris, or pour a concrete slab yourself to avoid labor costs. However, if you are installing a solar-powered generator, there is no need to do so many preparations cause they are user-friendly. Further, you can reduce the cost of backup generator installed.
Ask for Bundle Services
Most installers and generator providers offer bundle deals that include multiple services, such as installation and maintenance. Opting for a package deal will help you can often negotiate a lower overall price.
Schedule Installation During Off-Peak Times
During peak seasons, generator suppliers and installation service providers are mostly busy with a lot of projects, which means that they have to increase their prices. Most often, these peak times are before the arrival of summer or winter season, when a lot of people are preparing for upcoming weather extremes. This means that you can plan your generator installation for off-peak seasons when the service fee is lower, which will help you save a good amount of money.
Jackery’s Portable Power Station
Among all the home electric backup solutions, solar generators are the cheapest to install and operate. And within the broader solar generator market, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station stands out as a perfect solution for most household electricity needs. This generator is famous for the following reasons:
Expandable Capacity for Various Needs
The base model of the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus portable power station has a capacity of 2kWh, which is enough to power all the home electricity appliances. If you still want to increase the capacity of this generator to achieve complete energy independence, you can do so by adding extra battery packs totaling up to 24 kWh. This much capacity is enough to support two weeks of home backup power.
Superior Power Output
The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus portable power station has an impressive 3,000W maximum output, with the capability to surge up to 6,000W when connected in parallel. This high power output means that not only can this generator run small electronics, but it can also support more demanding appliances such as ACs, heaters, cooking appliances, ovens, and much more.
Ultra-Fast Solar Charging
A notable feature of the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus portable power station is its ability to fully charge through solar power in as little as two hours. This is made possible by connecting it to six SolarSaga 200W panels, which help you charge the system through rapid solar charging using IBC (Interdigitated Back Contact) technology.
This advanced solar charging capability empowers you to quickly charge the system during outages, so that it can keep on powering your appliances during blackouts.
Long-Lasting Durability with LiFePO4 Battery
Due to its long-lasting LiFePO4 battery, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus portable power station promises to serve your electricity needs for up to 10 years. This battery type is known for its excellent lifespan and can complete almost 4,000 charging/discharging cycles at full capacity. Even after 4,000 cycles, the battery will continue operating at 70% of capacity, which means that you do not have any need to spend money on expensive batteries over and over again.
Furthermore, the integrated ChargeShield Technology enhances the system’s longevity by 50%, and protects your battery from overcharging, and improves efficiency over time.
Multiple Output Ports for High Convenience
The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station offers a comprehensive array of output ports that let you run a lot of devices at the same time. These ports include:
- Five AC Outlets
- Two USB-A Ports
- Two USB-C Ports
- One Carport
Whisper-Quiet Operation
Both standby generators and fuel-based portable generators are extremely noisy, but portable solar generators like the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus portable power station operate in a completely noiseless manner. This generator only produces 30 decibels, which is less than the noise generated by a whisper.
Portable and User-Friendly Design
Even with so many powerful features, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus portable power station remains portable and weighs only 61.5 lbs (27.9 kg). On the other hand, traditional fuel-based generators of the same capacity are much heavier, which reduces their portability. This solar generator comes with a compact and easy-to-transport design, which means that you can also use them for your outdoor pursuits apart from using them as a home electricity backup solution.
The smart app control feature of this generator allows you to monitor and control the power station remotely, which makes it a user-friendly solution even for non-tech-savvy Americans.
Conclusion
With a large number of Americans seeking to install an emergency power system in their homes, there is a lot of confusion about the total cost of backup generator installed. While this cost differs greatly from one generator to another, there are some ways, such as choosing the right size of the generator and preparing the installation site yourself, that will help you greatly reduce this cost.
Of all the home backup generators available, the most cost-effective, reliable, efficient, safe, and portable solution is the solar generator. Jackery has been manufacturing these battery power stations for more than 12 years now. Their technological brilliance has helped them introduce innovative products in the solar energy market that have impressed millions of people worldwide. If you want to reduce the cost of backup generator installed, visit Jackery’s website to get a solar generator!
Reference
[1] Putting a Standby Generator in the Garage. Available at: https://generatorsupercenterheartland.com/putting-a-standby-generator-in-the-garage/ (Accessed: 21th, October)