After the Texas grid failures, standby generators are a must for many homes. Learn how to size a whole house generator, what Generac installation costs and how installation works.
Hurricanes on the coast, ice storms up north, summer grid strain everywhere — Texans know what it's like to lose power. A standby generator installation keeps the AC, fridge, well pump and medical equipment running automatically.
A standby generator (Generac, Kohler, Briggs & Stratton) runs on natural gas or propane and starts itself within seconds via an automatic transfer switch. A portable generator needs a manual transfer switch or inlet and someone to start it.
| Home | Typical size |
|---|---|
| Essentials only (fridge, lights, furnace fan) | 10–14 kW |
| Essentials + one 3-ton AC | 18–22 kW |
| Whole home, two ACs | 24–26 kW+ |
Installed standby systems typically run $9,000–$18,000 including the unit, transfer switch, concrete pad, gas line and electrical work. Portable inlet and manual transfer switch setups run $900–$2,000.
See local pages for generator installation in Houston, Katy, Dallas, Austin and Corpus Christi.