Are there tax credits for home generators?

• <div><p>In most cases, there are no tax credits available for home generators. However, that’s a general statement that applies to federal tax credits, so you might have access to state or local tax incentives. You can check the <a href="https://www.dsireusa.org">Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE)</a> for more information about your area. If you hire a reliable home generator installer, they should also know if there are any state or local perks you can use to reduce your installation costs, including tax breaks and rebates.</p></div>

Get matched with top generator install pros in Duluth, MN

Q: Do you need a permit to install a whole-house generator?

• <div><p>In many cases, you&rsquo;ll need a permit or basic inspection to install one of these large generators. Since they include significant alterations to your home electrical system and many produce exhaust fumes, local governments often require jumping through a few hoops for general safety purposes. Your installer may be able to help you with these permits.</p></div>

Q: How much does it cost to install a generator?

• <div><p>The typical <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-it-cost-install-generator.htm">cost of a home generator</a> is around <b>$5,000</b>, but prices range from <b>$400 up to $13,000</b>, depending on a few factors. The most significant cost factor is the generator size, as larger generators that can support more square footage usually cost more. You can install an emergency backup generator for between <b>$500 and $2,000</b> or a partial-home generator for between <b>$2,000 and $6,500</b>. Whole-home generators usually total between <b>$5,000 and $13,000</b>, with some models climbing as high as <b>$18,000</b>.</p></div>

Q: What size generator does my house need?

• <div><p>You can determine what size generator you need by listing the various appliances it will power during an outage. Write down the start-up watt usage, and then add them all together. </p><p>A 7,500-watt generator will run your refrigerator, freezer, well pump, and lighting circuits without a problem. However, you&rsquo;ll need an extra 3,000 to 4,500 watts to run your water heater and another 5,000 to 25,000 watts to run your electric furnace. In these instances, a whole-home generator is your best bet for running your critical equipment.</p></div>

Q: What size of diesel generator do you need to run a house?

• <div><p>Sizing a generator is a careful process that requires calculating the <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/electrical-load-calculation.htm">electrical load</a> of your entire house. You have to take into account every device you want to use and their wattage requirements, plus the wattage needed to start them, and look for a generator that can safely run all that at around 80% capacity.</p><p>In more practical terms, a small home can run on a 10,000-watt generator (and if you only want to power a few key appliances, much less than that). A mid-sized home may need something between 15,000 and 22,000 watts. Larger homes require 25,000 watts or more. </p></div>

There are 0 highly-rated local generator install pros.

Verified Reviews for Generator Install pros in Duluth, MN

*The Angi rating for Generator Install companies in Duluth, MN is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Generator Install needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Generator Install companies in Duluth, MN is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Generator Install needs.

Last update on October 09, 2025

Reviewed in June 2023
Greatly disappointed in general customer service. Codecending, combative and very rude. Poor listening skills, and unhelpful. I went elsewhere with my business.
West End Painting
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Reviewed in February 2017
We were thoroughly impressed from start to finish with our install. The staff was friendly, helped explain the process and our options, and was quick to set up a date and install. We would definitely use ML again.
ML Mechanical LLC
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Reviewed in August 2014
Old House with a steep roof and some complicated details. Tony @ Absalute had a plan to adress those details came in with a good number and hit their estimated schedule. Wasn't the quickest install ever but like I say it was a complicated roof and the lead installer Miles was terrific. Would...
Absalute Vinyl Window & Siding Co
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Reviewed in March 2014
It went great. Arrived on time and had it installed in less than an hour.
Ray's Heating & Cooling LLC
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Reviewed in January 2014
I called five contractors for installation of some GFIs and John was the only one who was flexible enough to come out to do the work within a week of my call. He did the installation, noticed a need for one additional GFI and installed that too. He also noticed a bad breaker in the service...
John Kivel Electric
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Reviewed in September 2012
Linda B. is great to work with. SHe is very patient, and willing to give generously of her time. There was an area where the floors buckled. SHe was quick to get the installer out here. He took that area apart, and determined that he had made an error in glueing things down in that one area. ...
FLOOR TO CEILING STORE
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Reviewed in September 2012
The generator engine blew up in 2012. It had one tenth of one hour of use. The manufacturers waranty had expired.Menard's gave me full credit for the generator anyway and I bought a better one.
Menard'S
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Reviewed in October 2011
Very good transaction. Honest people who showed up when they said they would, communicated any problems, were generally pleasant, and most importantly weren't trying to con me into buying something I didn't need.
LBC GARAGE DOORS
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Reviewed in November 2010
We needed installation of an appliance in the kitchen. They were able to install and retrofit to our space and electrical. They were quick, responsive, polite, and helpful. One of the install team even read the manual and instructed us on how to use the device.
Krause Sheet Metal And Heating & Cooling
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Reviewed in September 2008
Responded very quickly and had the driver operational very quickly.. Had parts on hand and checked all possible problems generated by "knuckle-headed" use of dryer and repaired/adjusted as necessary. Very good job!!!
MASTER APPLIANCE REPAIR SERVICE
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Find Generator install pros in Duluth

Clearbrook Electric, Inc.

204 Highway 92 Southwest

4.00(

)

•Approved Pro

Clearbrook Electric, Inc.

204 Highway 92 Southwest

4.00(

)

•Approved Pro

Customers say: Quality work

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

26 local quotes requested

At Clearbrook Electric, Inc., we are your premier choice for residential and commercial HVAC work. We have provided high quality work and friendly customer service for 74 years. Call today!

"The quality of the work was awesome. Very qualified and did a very neat job. Would hire them again. The only problem was them getting back to you when you called for service. The installers were very friendly and did a great job!!! Had to call a couple times to remind to come out and start/complete the project. Otherwise, great customer service."

Dan S on October 2017

At Clearbrook Electric, Inc., we are your premier choice for residential and commercial HVAC work. We have provided high quality work and friendly customer service for 74 years. Call today!

"The quality of the work was awesome. Very qualified and did a very neat job. Would hire them again. The only problem was them getting back to you when you called for service. The installers were very friendly and did a great job!!! Had to call a couple times to remind to come out and start/complete the project. Otherwise, great customer service."

Dan S on October 2017

Brimson Electric, LLC

Brimson Electric, LLC

Customers say: Quick response

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

36 local quotes requested

BRIMSON ELECTRIC LLC is a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity in all aspects of our business. Our dedicated team of professionals have several 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!

"Nice guy! Easy to work with"

Marcus H on June 2023

"Nice guy! Easy to work with"

Marcus H on June 2023

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

Generator Install questions, answered by experts

In many cases, you’ll need a permit or basic inspection to install one of these large generators. Since they include significant alterations to your home electrical system and many produce exhaust fumes, local governments often require jumping through a few hoops for general safety purposes. Your installer may be able to help you with these permits.

The typical cost of a home generator is around $5,000, but prices range from $400 up to $13,000, depending on a few factors. The most significant cost factor is the generator size, as larger generators that can support more square footage usually cost more. You can install an emergency backup generator for between $500 and $2,000 or a partial-home generator for between $2,000 and $6,500. Whole-home generators usually total between $5,000 and $13,000, with some models climbing as high as $18,000.

In most cases, there are no tax credits available for home generators. However, that’s a general statement that applies to federal tax credits, so you might have access to state or local tax incentives. You can check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) for more information about your area. If you hire a reliable home generator installer, they should also know if there are any state or local perks you can use to reduce your installation costs, including tax breaks and rebates.

You can determine what size generator you need by listing the various appliances it will power during an outage. Write down the start-up watt usage, and then add them all together.

A 7,500-watt generator will run your refrigerator, freezer, well pump, and lighting circuits without a problem. However, you’ll need an extra 3,000 to 4,500 watts to run your water heater and another 5,000 to 25,000 watts to run your electric furnace. In these instances, a whole-home generator is your best bet for running your critical equipment.

Sizing a generator is a careful process that requires calculating the electrical load of your entire house. You have to take into account every device you want to use and their wattage requirements, plus the wattage needed to start them, and look for a generator that can safely run all that at around 80% capacity.

In more practical terms, a small home can run on a 10,000-watt generator (and if you only want to power a few key appliances, much less than that). A mid-sized home may need something between 15,000 and 22,000 watts. Larger homes require 25,000 watts or more.

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