We're thinking about having an inline emergency generator installed, but we do NOT want the legion of salespeople darkening our door when we're really just to fact-finding.

Does anybody have experience with an inline emergency generator; specifically the cost, ease of installation/maintenance and a brand recommendation?

I have Generac - it's good.
I suggest checking the company's online reviews before doing business with them.

I used a big company out of Houston area and the wait is about 8 months

Thank you! What kind of costs were involved? And in general terms, what are the upkeep steps?

We got mom a whole house 24k on natural gas. Took like 10 months, and we ordered before the big freeze in Texas. Great dealer, but he's out of Lubbock, so not relevant.

You can buy a $600 or so a year plan that has the company come do all maintenance plus a new starting battery every 3 years. Also includes cell phone link, so if there is a trouble code, the generator reports it to the dealer, who comes and fixes it

It's worked well, no problems except when someone flipped the emergency off switch instead of shutdown procedure. Only required rebooting the controls to fix

For a while it seemed like generally if you doubled the cost of the generator that would be the total cost(with install). Not sure if that still holds true. Seen a lot of people post here with bids in the $12-15k range.

Yeah, if gas is close to your breaker box, $12-13k seems like a good number.

I couldn't convince my wife on that but I did buy a Westinghouse 9500 that I can wheel out. I had my electrician put in a new plug and breakers. It will run all of our lights and outlets and Wi-Fi and our furnaces. It won't run the oven or the AC.

I could hook it up to nat gas but my understanding is the efficiency of the generator drops by 30-40%. Don't know if that's true or not. So I have gas cans. It'll run for 8 hours on a tank of gas.

But I'm all in for a little more than 1/10th of the cost of a Generac .

Im a salesman/manager for an generator business. We install/service Generac in the San Antonio and surrounding area.

Upkeep wise there is not much at all. We offer mobile links as well that will let you/us know when service is needed.

The MOST IMPORANTANT part of "upkeep" with these things is the initial install. Make absolutely sure that everything is done right and zero corners are cut. Most failures we see have to do with something that was done 1/2 ass or the easy way.

I know you mentioned you dont want sales guys, but let me know if you have any specific questions and I can help ya the best I can.

Another note. Avoid Lowes. Crazy lead times and they use shotty installers (paid by the job so they rush and cut corners).

** Note, I have 40+ units sitting on the floor right now ready for install. The only thing that holds up is the local power companies issuing permits and inspections. **

ArmaLite said:

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Im a salesman/manager for an generator business. We install/service Generac in the San Antonio and surrounding area.

Upkeep wise there is not much at all. We offer mobile links as well that will let you/us know when service is needed.

The MOST IMPORANTANT part of "upkeep" with these things is the initial install. Make absolutely sure that everything is done right and zero corners are cut. Most failures we see have to do with something that was done 1/2 ass or the easy way.

I know you mentioned you dont want sales guys, but let me know if you have any specific questions and I can help ya the best I can.

Another note. Avoid Lowes. Crazy lead times and they use shotty installers (paid by the job so they rush and cut corners).

** Note, I have 40+ units sitting on the floor right now ready for install. The only thing that holds up is the local power companies issuing permits and inspections. **

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Appreciate the advice- you sound like a pro, but I'm 1200 miles away!

We built our home in 2019/20 and installed a 22KW Generac generator. Ours runs on natural gas. It runs everything in our 3400 sf home. The total cost was about $12K.

We purchased the generator from Star Power.out of Plantersville. After the one year warranty was over, I purchased a three year maintenance agreement for about $1K. This includes semi annual maintenance and a new battery once in that warranty period.

I also purchased a 10 year extended warranty from Generac for $1K which covers any parts failure during the policy timeframe.

Installing during original construction will save quite a bit. Not really applicable in the OP's situation, but if anyone ever considers it, just running the conduits during original construction can facilitate a much cheaper installation later.

I have two Generacs.....one 10,000 to run my well house and shop. The other is a 24,000 for the house. I used a local dealer that also does our Geo Thermal unit. I bought both at the same time and he cut me a deal of $18,000 for both. Our Co-Op had a deal on transfer switches so I basically got them for half price.
I used my local dealer as his price was a little higher but he really did a fine installation and we have had no issues with it. My neighbor had Home Depot do his and it was a nightmare for him......the reason I decided to use a reputable local guy.
I run ours on propane. We are very rural. We have been really happy with them.

ArmaLite said:

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Im a salesman/manager for an generator business. We install/service Generac in the San Antonio and surrounding area.

Upkeep wise there is not much at all. We offer mobile links as well that will let you/us know when service is needed.

The MOST IMPORANTANT part of "upkeep" with these things is the initial install. Make absolutely sure that everything is done right and zero corners are cut. Most failures we see have to do with something that was done 1/2 ass or the easy way.

I know you mentioned you dont want sales guys, but let me know if you have any specific questions and I can help ya the best I can.

Another note. Avoid Lowes. Crazy lead times and they use shotty installers (paid by the job so they rush and cut corners).

** Note, I have 40+ units sitting on the floor right now ready for install. The only thing that holds up is the local power companies issuing permits and inspections. **

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Have any in central Tx (temple Waco) area ?

I have a good friend in Houston who lost power for an extended period during Harvey. I forwarded the OP's question to him. Following is his reply. He certainly did his due diligence.

I put one in about 18 months ago & wish I had done it sooner… besides the flood risk, anytime a tree blows down on a power line around here my power goes out…


Generac is the largest manuf, (~80% mkt share) but they don't make anything, just assemble & sell…think they use Brigg & Stratton motors (which was in bankruptcy last year). I did about 3-4 months research & bought a KOHLER, they make their own gen sets and motors…it cost a bit more but I think is a much better unit…

My generator is a 22kw "whole house" set, has a 42 HP dual overhead cam 2 cylinder engine that runs on natural gas. I had to put in about 95 feet of gas line, + new meter & regulator, so had several thousand $$ of labor, etc.
I wound up paying just over $14 K for turnkey job, including ALL fees, city permits, gas lines, gen set, & transfer switchgear, which connects to my home bus in ~5 seconds!

I'm a very happy camper & would do it again in a heartbeat…I have lost power 3X times since I put it in & it performed as published. Further, it comes on automatically every Mon at noon & runs for 12 min, checking itself out. I built a 30" raised stand for it so shouldn't have trouble w/ water…

Anyone have a supplier/installer they'd recommend for Houston?

Loftin Equipment in Houston sold me a Kohler 20KW in 2011.
I installed it myself. Do the maintenance myself.
Runs on propane, no issues in 10 years.
Had heavy service run times in Hurricanes and Feb 2021.

Moving to BCS, new home will have similar size Generac.

Animal Eight 84 said:

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Moving to BCS, new home will have similar size Generac.

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So any idea how many $s of value does the unit add to the home you're going to sell?

As an alternative perspective, I wired in a dual fuel portable generator that's large enough to run my A/C and everything else I need. All in less than $2,000. One benefit is I can take it with me if we ever sell.

Willy Wonka said:

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Yeah, if gas is close to your breaker box, $12-13k seems like a good number.

I couldn't convince my wife on that but I did buy a Westinghouse 9500 that I can wheel out. I had my electrician put in a new plug and breakers. It will run all of our lights and outlets and Wi-Fi and our furnaces. It won't run the oven or the AC.

I could hook it up to nat gas but my understanding is the efficiency of the generator drops by 30-40%. Don't know if that's true or not. So I have gas cans. It'll run for 8 hours on a tank of gas.

But I'm all in for a little more than 1/10th of the cost of a Generac .

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I did the same thing, and actually had to use it today for about 2 hours, best investment I ever made and a helluva lot cheaper than a Generac! Ran the whole house with not trouble, and mine even runs both A/C units if needed, which we didn't today, but good to know..

I have the 22 Kw Generac with auto-on box or whatever it is. I bought it when the freeze happened last year. Took a few months to get in, and KC Electric in College Station installed everything. I think my total cost was about $15k.

Will you text me your contact
512-563-5207

Thank you

Me through Canter!

Don't be like my BIL in New Orleans and say that he could do his own maintenance. When they needed it, it wouldn't start, he never did any maintenance. They now have a maintenance contract. Lol.
I have a maintenance contract on mine and they monitor the system as the generator does weekly 5 minute run test. Received a notification from them while on vacation on a issue they pick up and would be at the house to fix it at no costs. They also come out yearly to replace the battery and change the oil.

TexasAggie73 said:

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Don't be like my BIL in New Orleans and say that he could do his own maintenance. When they needed it, it wouldn't start, he never did any maintenance. They now have a maintenance contract. Lol.
I have a maintenance contract on mine and they monitor the system as the generator does weekly 5 minute run test. Received a notification from them while on vacation on a issue they pick up and would be at the house to fix it at no costs. They also come out yearly to replace the battery and change the oil.

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I'll second the recommendation on a maintenance contract. Unless you're diligent and savvy enough to do it yourself. Mine kicks on bi-weekly for 5 minutes and let's me know it's "exercising." Don't let it sit like a lawnmower and expect it to kick right up 30 years from now when we finally get another snow.

So what is the major benefit of the in-line systems vs. a stand-alone that can be hooked up during a power outage?

Automatic switchover and shutdown. No need to go out and manually plug in and fire it up

Well a huge amount of dollars. In-line will fire up on its own with an auto transfer switch.

I'm about $4k (vs $14k) in my setup. Gas powered with 10 5g jugs (if not used it goes into the cars). Manual switch. Will run the AC which was the big concern and installed a soft start on the AC to reduce starting amps.

If you want little maintenance or hassle, spend the bucks. If you want a cheaper route it's doable but more labor. My folks have a generac for their home and it's sweet. My house is half the size and the cost doesn't justify it. In 7 years the only time we needed a generator was the freeze.

jt2hunt said:

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Me through Canter!

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I got your number. Is it better to call or text tomorrow?

We just had a Champion 14kW installed for about $8,000 with the transfer switch. Took about 11 months from deposit to installation.

bam02 said:

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So what is the major benefit of the in-line systems vs. a stand-alone that can be hooked up during a power outage?

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In the couple of times we have had to use our whole home in line, the power went off for a minute or 2 and then the generator kicked on. When the normal power came back, the only thing we noticed was no more noise from the generator. It was seamless. Ours run off our natural gas line, so don't have to worry about having fuel on hand.

Started looking for a whole house system last year after the freeze. The lead time on Generac was 48 weeks and no one around Gillespie County had any in stock. A local dealer in Fredericksburg was kind enough to tell me watch Home Depot website, they get deliveries every week but sell out almost at once when they post them. That same day I found a 22kw in stock and ordered it. 8 days later I had picked it up at the store and it was being installed by this local dealer. He told me they only made a few hundred on the generator, their profit was in installation so he was happy to point me to HD. He also put smart switches on our three a/c heat units which cuts them off automatically if load is exceeded and does it in order of importance. Because of this we are able to run our 4500sf home plus barn and well on this 22kw unit. Under $11k for generator and install. Note that Generac only honors their warranty repair if work is done by a factory trained and authorized person. A authorized dealer is not automatically in this category. We have had three power outages since installation, the latest two days ago for 7 hours. The Generac has performed flawlessly each time.

Sure!

bam02 said:

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So what is the major benefit of the in-line systems vs. a stand-alone that can be hooked up during a power outage?

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Not having to hook everything up.

Runs and is rated based on natural gas or propane. Eliminates the need for refilling gas cans and refilling the generator.

Automatically comes on with power loss and shuts off when the power comes on.

Ability to run your whole house. Most even large portable generators can't do this.

Automatic run test every week and will notify you of any issues.


With all the positives being said I have a portable generator. Couldn't justify the cost when it came down to it.

Wire up for a portable gen inlet box and save yourself 10k+ dollars. You can run everyhing but A/C and wont be locked in to a pricey generator with ongoing maintenance cost.

AlaskanAg99 said:

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Well a huge amount of dollars. In-line will fire up on its own with an auto transfer switch.

I'm about $4k (vs $14k) in my setup. Gas powered with 10 5g jugs (if not used it goes into the cars). Manual switch. Will run the AC which was the big concern and installed a soft start on the AC to reduce starting amps.

If you want little maintenance or hassle, spend the bucks. If you want a cheaper route it's doable but more labor. My folks have a generac for their home and it's sweet. My house is half the size and the cost doesn't justify it. In 7 years the only time we needed a generator was the freeze.

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Did you do the soft start yourself?

No, paid an electrician. There are several how-tos out there if you want to do it yourself.