# Whole-House Generator Cost in Texas (2026 Installed Prices)

> URL: https://clementselectric.com/blog/whole-house-generator-cost-texas
> Author: Curtis Wood, Lead Electrician
> Published: 2026-08-25
> Category: Generators
> Read Time: 9 min read

A whole-house standby generator in Texas costs about $5,500–$12,500 installed for most homes — a 14 kW runs $5,500–$8,000, an 18 kW $6,000–$9,000, a 22 kW $6,500–$11,000, and a 26 kW $7,800–$12,500 — including the unit, automatic transfer switch, gas line connection, concrete pad, permits, and startup.

## 2026 installed prices by generator size

| Generator size | Installed price | What it runs |
|---|---|---|
| 14 kW (air-cooled) | $5,500 – $8,000 | Essentials — fridge, lights, furnace, one AC unit |
| 18 kW (air-cooled) | $6,000 – $9,000 | Most of a 1,500–2,500 sq ft home + one AC |
| 22 kW (air-cooled) | $6,500 – $11,000 | Whole home to ~3,500 sq ft, two AC units on load management |
| 26 kW (air-cooled) | $7,800 – $12,500 | Whole home + pool pump, electric water heater, two AC units |
| 30–48 kW (liquid-cooled) | $12,000 – $28,000 | Estates, three AC units, guest house, workshop |

Most Dallas–Fort Worth homes land in the 22 kW or 26 kW range. The generator itself is only part of the price — the automatic transfer switch, the gas line run from your meter, the concrete pad, the electrical connection, the permits, and the startup all get bundled into that installed figure. An online price for the bare unit leaves out $2,000–$4,000 of work that is not optional.

## What's in the installed price that online unit prices leave out

- Automatic transfer switch (ATS): $800–$1,500 of the job, never included in online unit prices.
- Gas line and plumbing: a licensed gas tech runs a new line from your meter to the generator, sized for full-load demand.
- Concrete pad and mounting: keeps the generator level and stable through storms and shifting Texas soil.
- Electrical connection and permits: every DFW city requires a permit and inspection for both electrical and gas work.
- Startup and commissioning: running the unit under load and setting the exercise schedule.

## Sizing: what kW does a typical DFW home need to run the AC?

Texas summers decide your generator size. A 3-ton AC unit draws a starting surge of 10,000+ watts even though it runs at far less. A 14 kW handles essentials plus one smaller AC unit with load management; a 22 kW or 26 kW runs the whole home, including two AC units — the sweet spot for most DFW suburbs. Load management modules let a 22 kW run two units by staggering their starts.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How much does it cost to install a Generac whole-house generator in Texas?
$6,500–$11,000 installed for a 22 kW or 26 kW Generac Guardian with a 200-amp transfer switch, including gas line, pad, permits, and startup. Smaller 14–18 kW units run $5,500–$9,000; liquid-cooled 30 kW+ models start around $12,000.

### Will a whole-house generator run my air conditioner during an outage?
Yes — if it is sized for it. A 22–26 kW unit runs most DFW homes' central air; a 14–18 kW unit typically needs load management or runs one smaller unit.

### How much does a generator add to your gas bill in standby?
Nothing when idle — standby generators use no natural gas when not running. During an outage, a 22 kW unit burns roughly 2.8–3.5 therms per hour at full load.

### Do I need a permit to install a standby generator in DFW?
Yes. Every DFW municipality requires permits for the electrical connection and gas line, plus a final inspection. Clements Electric pulls all permits as part of the install.

### Does a whole-house generator increase home value in Texas?
Yes — real estate agents put the lift at roughly 3–5% of home value, and a standby generator is increasingly expected by buyers after Winter Storm Uri.

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Get an exact installed price for your home: 817-803-4444. Serving Dallas-Fort Worth since 1982.