Natural gas
- Continuous utility supply means no on-site refilling.
- Usually the lowest runtime cost in serviced Ontario areas.
- Meter and pipe capacity must support the generator at full load.
- Gas service can still be interrupted in a wider emergency.
NorthPeak Home / Backup power
Whole-home generator cost calculator
Build an Ontario planning budget for a permanently installed standby generator—equipment, transfer switch, fuel connection, electrical work, annual service and runtime fuel.
Canadian dollarsOntario defaults2025–2026 pricing basis
Estimated installed cost before HST
$—
Low–high planning range
Budget midpoint$—
Estimated annual fuel$—
Maintenance allowance$—
Runtime fuel comparison
Planning estimate only—not a quote. It excludes HST, financing, unusual utility upgrades, major landscaping restoration and property-specific code requirements. Confirm sizing, clearances, fuel pressure and every permit with qualified local contractors.
Installer quote matching — coming soon.
No form or contact information is being collected.
No form or contact information is being collected.
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Sizing a generator for your home
Generator sizing is an electrical load problem, not a square-footage shortcut. Decide what must run together, then account for the brief starting surge of motors such as central air, a well pump or sump pump.
10 kW
Essential circuits
Heating controls, refrigerator, lighting, internet, sump pump and selected receptacles—with disciplined load use.
14 kW
Small-home coverage
More simultaneous essentials and one carefully managed larger load, depending on the service calculation.
18–22 kW
Common whole-home tier
A frequent planning range for homes that want broader coverage, central air and automatic load management.
26+ kW
High-demand homes
Multiple HVAC zones, electric cooking, pumps or other large loads can push the design above standard air-cooled sizes.
Do a load calculation.List each must-run circuit, its running watts and starting watts. A qualified installer should verify the result against the home's service and chosen transfer equipment.
Fuel choice: convenience versus resilience
The unit's data sheet gives consumption at several load levels. Real use changes with temperature, gas pressure, altitude and the loads cycling in your home.
Propane
- Stored on site; useful beyond the natural-gas network.
- Fuel does not degrade like diesel, but tank sizing matters.
- Cold-weather vaporization and delivery access need planning.
- Expect a tank purchase or rental and a fuel-line allowance.
Diesel
- Efficient under load and common in larger, heavy-duty sets.
- Higher equipment cost at residential sizes.
- Requires safe tank placement, fuel-quality management and periodic testing.
- Current Ontario pump pricing can make runtime expensive.
Fuel choice: price, access and resilience
U.S. fuel costs vary sharply by state, season and delivery method. The runtime model uses Angi's published full-load hourly figures as national planning anchors; check current local prices before buying.
Natural gas
- Continuous utility supply avoids on-site refilling.
- Angi's published planning range is $1–$3 per running hour at full load.
- Meter and pipe capacity must support the generator at full load.
- EIA publishes monthly residential gas prices nationally and by state.
Propane
- Stored on site and practical beyond the gas network.
- Angi's published planning figure is about $10 per running hour at full load.
- Tank ownership, delivery minimums and winter access change the real cost.
- Census fuel-use data helps show why availability differs by community.
Diesel
- Efficient under load and common in larger sets.
- Angi's published planning range is $5–$7 per running hour at full load.
- Requires safe tank placement and fuel-quality management.
- EIA's weekly diesel series is the best check for current regional context.
Ontario permits and electrical safety
A standby generator becomes part of the home's electrical and fuel systems. The transfer equipment must prevent backfeeding, and hired electrical work must be completed through an Ontario Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Before accepting a quote
- Ask for the contractor's seven-digit ECRA/ESA licence number.
- Confirm who files the ESA notification of work and includes inspection fees.
- Require the exact generator and transfer-switch model numbers in writing.
- Confirm fuel work is permitted and completed by the appropriate qualified contractor.
- Get placement, exhaust, opening and property-line clearances documented for your municipality and model.
- Keep the ESA Certificate of Acceptance after the installation passes review.
U.S. permits, transfer equipment and code
A standby generator becomes part of the home's electrical and fuel systems. Transfer equipment prevents backfeeding, but the adopted electrical code, permit process, setbacks and inspection rules vary by state and local jurisdiction.
Before accepting a quote
- Verify the electrician's licence with the state or local licensing authority.
- Confirm who pulls electrical, fuel-gas and building permits—and whether fees are included.
- Require the exact generator and transfer-switch model numbers in writing.
- Ask which edition of the NEC and which local amendments govern the project.
- Get exhaust, opening, property-line and fuel-tank clearances documented.
- Retain permits, inspection approvals and commissioning records.
Maintenance requirements
The manual for the exact model controls. Track both calendar time and engine hours—one long outage can bring service due earlier than the annual visit.
| Task | Planning frequency | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Visual status check | Monthly and after storms | Catches warning lights, debris, leaks and blocked airflow. |
| Exercise-cycle review | At the programmed interval | Confirms start, battery and controller readiness. |
| Oil and filter service | Manual interval / after extended runtime | Protects the engine; interval varies by model and use. |
| Battery and terminals | At least annually | The generator cannot protect the home if it cannot crank. |
| Transfer switch and load test | Annual professional service | Checks the complete system, not only the engine. |
| Diesel fuel quality | Per tank and service plan | Controls water, microbial growth and stale-fuel risk. |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a whole-home generator cost in Ontario?
A complete standby project often falls around C$8,000–C$25,000 before HST. A large diesel set, long trench, service upgrade or difficult site can exceed that range. Compare quotes line by line rather than comparing only the headline total.
What size generator does a typical home need?
Many homes begin in the 14–22 kW range, but there is no safe size based on floor area alone. The design must include simultaneous running loads and motor-starting surges, especially air conditioning and pumps.
Do I need an ESA permit for a standby generator?
The electrical work must comply with the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. A Licensed Electrical Contractor normally files the ESA notification of work, coordinates inspection and receives the Certificate of Acceptance after approval.
Is natural gas or propane cheaper?
Natural gas is usually cheaper per running hour where utility service is available. Propane offers on-site storage and rural flexibility, but tank costs, refill pricing and winter logistics change the comparison.
How long can a generator run continuously?
Follow the manufacturer's operating and service limits. Fuel availability is only one constraint: oil level, service intervals, airflow and load matter. Inspect the unit during long outages and arrange service when the manual requires it.
Does the estimate include tax?
No. Results are shown in Canadian dollars before Ontario HST. This makes contractor scopes easier to compare because tax is applied after the project subtotal.
How much does a whole-home generator cost in the United States?
HomeAdvisor reports $1,512–$8,803 for most generator-installation projects, with a $5,157 average and a high end around $13,500. Angi reports $1,600–$8,900 for most installations and says larger systems can reach $21,000 or more. A whole-home design, fuel work, panel upgrade or difficult site can push a project above the typical range.
What size generator does a typical U.S. home need?
Many homes begin in the 14–22 kW range, but floor area alone is not enough. Use a load calculation that includes simultaneous running loads and motor-starting surges, then have the design verified by a qualified installer.
Do I need a permit for a standby generator?
Often, yes. Electrical, fuel-gas, building or zoning permits may apply. The authority having jurisdiction decides which code edition, local amendments, setbacks and inspections govern the project.
Is natural gas or propane cheaper in the U.S.?
Angi's national planning figures put natural gas below propane per running hour, but local utility tariffs, propane delivery pricing, tank costs and regional availability can change the result. Check the EIA price series and local suppliers.
How long can a generator run continuously?
Follow the manufacturer's operating and service limits. Fuel availability is only one constraint: oil level, service intervals, airflow and load matter. Inspect the unit during long outages and arrange service when the manual requires it.
Does the U.S. estimate include sales tax?
No. Results are shown in U.S. dollars before state and local sales taxes. Tax treatment varies by jurisdiction and contractor scope.
Pricing basis and sources
Canada mode uses Ontario planning ranges assembled in October 2026. U.S. mode uses published HomeAdvisor and Angi cost ranges, with BLS, Census and EIA references for price, housing-fuel and operating-cost context. Retail and fuel prices change; the calculator is deliberately a range.
Canada / Ontario
- Home Depot Canada — Generac standby generator and transfer-switch retail examples
- EcoFlow Canada — 2026 Canadian equipment and complete-project planning ranges
- Electrical Safety Authority — notifications, inspections and Certificates of Acceptance
- Electrical Safety Authority — Ontario Electrical Safety Code overview
- Kohler 20RCA specification sheet — natural gas and LPG consumption by load
- Generac Protector specification sheet — gaseous fuel consumption
- Kohler 20 kW diesel application data — diesel consumption by load
- Ontario Energy Board — 2026 Enbridge residential gas rate components
- Government of Ontario — weekly diesel and auto-propane prices
United States
- HomeAdvisor — 2025 installed, equipment, transfer-switch, pad, labour, permit and maintenance ranges
- Angi — 2026 installation, equipment-by-kW and hourly fuel-cost ranges
- HomeAdvisor — natural-gas line and permit cost context
- U.S. EIA — monthly residential natural-gas prices
- U.S. EIA — weekly retail diesel price series
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS — home-heating fuel and local availability context
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — CPI-U inflation reference
U.S. project inputs use the cited published component ranges directly. Runtime fuel uses Angi's full-load hourly figures as planning anchors, scaled by selected kW and load; EIA links are provided to check current local context. No currency conversion is used.