What is the lifespan of a whole-house generator?

<div>When maintained properly, a whole-house generator can last up to 20 years. <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-generator-repair-cost.htm">Costs to maintain and repair generators</a> vary by location and type of generator, but you can expect to pay about $150 to $300 per year for annual generator maintenance checks. An experienced generator service technician will inspect your generator’s engine filter, starting mechanism, fuel, lubrication, and coolant levels to keep your generator in good working condition for as long as possible. </div>

How do I know what size generator I need?

<div>When <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/what-size-generator-do-i-need.htm">choosing the right size generator</a> for your needs, consider a few items to help calculate the wattage you’ll need. Start by determining which household items and appliances you want to power, and then add the wattages together. Check out the wattage of these essential appliances:<ul><li>Refrigerator: 600 watts</li><li>Large dehumidifier: 700 watts</li><li>Large window air conditioner: 1,400 watts</li><li>Water heater: 3,000 watts</li></ul>Running home appliances like these requires a partial or whole-house generator. A portable generator may be enough to power your home if you only plan to keep a refrigerator and freezer running. </div>

What can I run on different generator sizes?

<div>Here’s what you can run with different wattages and types of generators:Portable generator:<ul><li>2,000 watts can handle a large appliance like a freezer or refrigerator, plus a few smaller items like phones or computer chargers. </li><li>4,000 watts will keep two large appliances operating and a few smaller devices.</li><li>8,000 watts should power most essential appliances and other devices, including a sump pump, well pump, or your dishwasher.</li></ul>Partial to whole-house generator:<ul><li>20,000 watts and above will make it seem like your home’s power is still on.</li></ul></div>

Get matched with top generator install pros in Planada, CA

Q: How much does a whole-house generator cost?

<div><a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-it-cost-install-generator.htm">Installing a whole-house generator costs</a> about $5,000 on average. Prices range from $1,550 to $8,500, depending on size, brand, fuel type, and assembly. The size of your whole-house generator is the most significant cost factor, with large homes with high energy demands costing the most to power. Types of whole-home generators include:<ul><li>Portable generators with 1kW&ndash;7.5kW capacity: $500&ndash;$2,000</li><li>Partial generators with 9kW&ndash;20kW capacity: $2,000&ndash;$6,300</li><li>Whole-house generators with 22kW&ndash;48kW: $5,000&ndash;$18,000</li></ul></div>

Q: What can I run on different generator sizes?

<div>Here&rsquo;s what you can run with different wattages and types of generators:Portable generator:<ul><li>2,000 watts can handle a large appliance like a freezer or refrigerator, plus a few smaller items like phones or computer chargers. </li><li>4,000 watts will keep two large appliances operating and a few smaller devices.</li><li>8,000 watts should power most essential appliances and other devices, including a sump pump, well pump, or your dishwasher.</li></ul>Partial to whole-house generator:<ul><li>20,000 watts and above will make it seem like your home&rsquo;s power is still on.</li></ul></div>

There are 0 highly-rated local generator install pros.

Find Generator install pros in Planada

Cardenas & Sons Electric Inc

Cardenas & Sons Electric Inc

Customers say: Quick response

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

60 local quotes requested

Contact the Cardenas & Sons Electric team for the best services. Specializing in electrical panels, whole house wiring and rewiring. We pride ourselves on the quality work we provide, while delivering great customer service. Please see some of our services offered below and call or click to schedule a free estimate today. You may also call if an electrical emergency service is needed.

"Wonderful company and people to work with. Honest, reasonable pricing, answers any questions you may have. Would recommend to others!"

Amber S on July 2024

"Wonderful company and people to work with. Honest, reasonable pricing, answers any questions you may have. Would recommend to others!"

Amber S on July 2024

Astorga Electrical

Astorga Electrical

Customers say: Quality work

Recommended by 92% of Angi customers

3 years of experience

ASTORGA ELECTRICAL is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.

"Felix was very professional, friendly, and knowledge about electrical matters. He was able diagnose and repair my problem in a timely manner. I am impressed with his knowledge and skills. He come highly recommended to anyone looking for inexpensive, good, quality workmanship."

Cleveland M on December 2024

"Felix was very professional, friendly, and knowledge about electrical matters. He was able diagnose and repair my problem in a timely manner. I am impressed with his knowledge and skills. He come highly recommended to anyone looking for inexpensive, good, quality workmanship."

Cleveland M on December 2024

Frayer Electric, Inc.

Frayer Electric, Inc.

10 years of experience

Free onsite estimate

We pride our company on reliability, great communication, integrity, and quality work. We are experts in our trade and will do our best to keep you as educated as we can on your particular task or project. We look forward to earning your business!

"Very respectful, trustworthy and professional. Open, honest and upfront with communication regarding costs with clear explanation regarding the jobs needs. Highly recommend. "

Walter P on October 2025

"Very respectful, trustworthy and professional. Open, honest and upfront with communication regarding costs with clear explanation regarding the jobs needs. Highly recommend. "

Walter P on October 2025

Cosmic Comfort

Cosmic Comfort

Customers say: True professional

Recommended by 94% of Angi customers

47 local quotes requested

Cosmic Comfort is a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity in all aspects of our business. Our dedicated team of professionals have years of hands on experience, to provide innovative ideas and suggestions tailored to your projects. Our services are customized to your individual needs, paying close attention to the details of each project that we are involved with. Please feel free to contact us today!

"Showed up on time. He addressed my concerns. He fixed my issue Had to replace one switch on circuit breaker haven't had in problems since repair."

William K on January 2023

"Showed up on time. He addressed my concerns. He fixed my issue Had to replace one switch on circuit breaker haven't had in problems since repair."

William K on January 2023

Nabors Electric

2789 Torre Dr

New on AngiNew on Angi

•Approved Pro

Nabors Electric

2789 Torre Dr

New on AngiNew on Angi

•Approved Pro

1 years of experience

Free onsite estimate

Looking for a reliable electrician in your neighborhood? Look no further! We are a team of experienced electricians serving Mariposa, Tuolumne, Merced, Stanislaus & beyond. We provide high-quality residential & commercial electrical solutions, from installations to emergencies. You can count on us for all your electrical needs. So, why wait? Give us a call today at 559-479-9756 or email us at [email protected] and let your neighbors do the work!

AR Power Systems LLC

3210 South Willis St

No reviews yet

AR Power Systems LLC

3210 South Willis St

No reviews yet

1 years of experience

We Specialize in Power Generation. Our team is trained/Led by an ex Air Force technician. We can respond to military bases. Our lead tech has also worked on the civilian side in both residential and commercial. Also in Telecom industry. Our team lead has worked on gens from residential homes up to 2 megawatt Gens supporting the Air Force in Space surveillance. Attention to detail is always practiced.

My Classic Car Trader LLC

312 Prospect Ave

2.00(

)

My Classic Car Trader LLC

312 Prospect Ave

2.00(

)

53 years of experience

Sales, Service & Rebuilding of Antique and Classic Car Components such as, Carburetors, Starters, Generators, Fuel Pumps, Double & Single Action Fuel Pump Rebuilding, Water Pumps, Hydraulic Top Pumps, Distributors, and DELCO Knee Action Shocks, We also carry a complete line of NOS and NORS parts. We offer FREE Technical advice for any YEAR Classic Car 609-462-7412

"Beware. They charged me double shipping even after I told them I would wait so I wouldn’t have to pay two shipping fees. The last item was a fuel pump that I had a problem with. I have made 4 calls to ask for help with no return call. Poor"

Frank H on July 2020

"Beware. They charged me double shipping even after I told them I would wait so I wouldn’t have to pay two shipping fees. The last item was a fuel pump that I had a problem with. I have made 4 calls to ask for help with no return call. Poor"

Frank H on July 2020

FAQs for generator install projects in Planada, CA

When maintained properly, a whole-house generator can last up to 20 years. Costs to maintain and repair generators vary by location and type of generator, but you can expect to pay about $150 to $300 per year for annual generator maintenance checks. An experienced generator service technician will inspect your generator’s engine filter, starting mechanism, fuel, lubrication, and coolant levels to keep your generator in good working condition for as long as possible.

Installing a whole-house generator costs about $5,000 on average. Prices range from $1,550 to $8,500, depending on size, brand, fuel type, and assembly. The size of your whole-house generator is the most significant cost factor, with large homes with high energy demands costing the most to power. Types of whole-home generators include:

Portable generators with 1kW–7.5kW capacity: $500–$2,000
Partial generators with 9kW–20kW capacity: $2,000–$6,300
Whole-house generators with 22kW–48kW: $5,000–$18,000

When choosing the right size generator for your needs, consider a few items to help calculate the wattage you’ll need. Start by determining which household items and appliances you want to power, and then add the wattages together. Check out the wattage of these essential appliances:

Refrigerator: 600 watts
Large dehumidifier: 700 watts
Large window air conditioner: 1,400 watts
Water heater: 3,000 watts

Running home appliances like these requires a partial or whole-house generator. A portable generator may be enough to power your home if you only plan to keep a refrigerator and freezer running.

Here’s what you can run with different wattages and types of generators:

Portable generator:

2,000 watts can handle a large appliance like a freezer or refrigerator, plus a few smaller items like phones or computer chargers.
4,000 watts will keep two large appliances operating and a few smaller devices.
8,000 watts should power most essential appliances and other devices, including a sump pump, well pump, or your dishwasher.

Partial to whole-house generator:

20,000 watts and above will make it seem like your home’s power is still on.

The value of installing a whole-house generator is that your home has guaranteed power, even if the power grid in your area is down. Whether a whole-house generator is worth installing in your home depends on how often you use it, your home’s location, and your lifestyle. For example, installing a whole-house generator is likely worth it if you:

Experience frequent or prolonged power outages
Work from home
Store a lot of cold food
Have a sump pump
Have a pump for well water
Use electronic medical devices
Live in a climate requiring heating or cooling

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