Generator install costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
It costs roughly $90 to $220 per day to run a 15-to-20-kW whole-house generator in Minneapolis.
Installation labor in Minneapolis costs about $155 per hour.
Potential homebuyers may see a generator as a valuable feature due to the harsh winters in Minneapolis.
Hiring a professional installer can ensure your generator fires up properly when the time comes.
Whole-house generator costs in Minneapolis range from $1,249 to $6,370, depending on generator size and type. However, many residents pay an average of $3,525 for a generator to protect against property damage and the dangerous cold. Minneapolis is known for fierce winter storms and major flood risks from local rivers and lakes, so power outages hit the Twin Cities particularly hard.
The two biggest factors affecting the cost of whole-home generator installation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, are generator size and type. You’ll also want to consider the long-term cost of the type of generator fuel you need.
Use this chart to help you estimate the total cost of your whole-house generator by size and capacity.
| Size in kW | Average Cost Range | Home Size |
|---|---|---|
| 1–6kW | $900–$1,800 | Refrigerator, freezer, sump pump, lighting, and a few small appliances |
| 7.5–10kW | $2,000–$4,000 | All essential appliances plus a well pump, furnace fan, and additional lighting and outlets |
| 14–18kW | $3,000–$10,750 | All essential appliances plus air conditioning, hot water heater, and additional appliances |
| 20–24kW | $4,000–$12,000 | All essential and non-essential appliances, including multiple air conditioners and electric ranges |
| 26–32kW | $6,000–$15,000 | All home appliances and systems, including larger HVAC systems and multiple hot water heaters |
| 36–38kW | $14,000–$16,000 | All home appliances and systems, including commercial-grade equipment |
| 45–48kW | $16,200–$35,000 | All home appliances and systems, including multiple air conditioners, electric ranges, and commercial-grade equipment |
There are several types of generators worth considering when determining whether a whole-house generator is right for you.
| Generator Type | Generator Capacity | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Portable generators | 1kW–7.5kW | $900–$2,500 |
| Partial generators | 9kW–20kW | $3,000–$10,000 |
| Whole-house generators | 22kW–48kW | $5,000–$35,000 |
On average, you’ll spend about $90 to $220 daily to run a 15-to-20-kW whole-house generator in Minneapolis, MN. But not all fuels are alike, and depending on the brand and fuel you choose, you might spend far more than you expected in fuel costs.
Here is how much each fuel type costs per year or unit:
| Fuel Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Natural gas | $2,500–$10,000 per year |
| Liquid propane | $2,500–$10,000 per year |
| Diesel | $2,900–$19,600per year |
| Gasoline | $600–$3,200 per year |
| Solar generators | $2,000–$25,000 (unit price) |
| Battery back-up | $10,000–$25,000 (unit price) |
Hiring a generator installer in Minneapolis, MN, can ensure safe wiring, adherence to city codes, and an installation that meets warranty requirements. A pro will be able to accurately determine what size generator you need and recommend the type of generator that would best suit your needs.
Installation labor costs an average of $155 per hour in Minneapolis, and most home generator installations take one to two full days of work. This means you may pay between $1,240 and $2,480 for labor alone, though this is typically included in the total price in your generator installation quote.
When considering the pros and cons of a whole-house generator, return on investment (ROI) is an important factor. A whole-house generator can increase home value the same way any appliance would. There is no universal way to calculate the value a generator adds, but potential homebuyers may see it as a desirable feature.
In Minneapolis and its surrounding suburbs, a generator can be the key to protecting your home's value during an outage. The city and surrounding area are full of riverfront and lakeside neighborhoods, many of which are prone to flooding.
Minneapolis is also well-known for its cold weather and winter snowstorms, with an average of nearly 47 inches of snow per year. A generator can keep the heat on and sump pumps running, no matter what the Minnesota weather throws at you.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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