The cost of the generator is a very important component in the buying process of a generator. The cost depends on various factors such as the brand, performance and build quality, type of generator, and advanced features such as remote start, CO sensor, and economy mode.
In this article, we have done our best to estimate the cost of a 12000-watt generator in terms of both upfront and running costs. For our analysis, we chose the best 12000-watt generator available in the market.
The upfront cost of a 12000-watt generator, which includes the generator, transfer switch, inlet box, cord, and labour installation, will cost you around $3532 for a single fuel, $3617 for dual fuel, and $6256 for a standby generator. The running cost will be $8.22 per day, and $246 per month if you run it daily for three hours at half load.
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Upfront Cost
The upfront cost is the cost of the generator, related accessories, and installation that you have to bear. We calculated the cost of each component involved in the installation process and then summed it up for a total estimated cost.
Generator Cost
The cost of a generator also varies due to various factors, such as single or dual fuel, standby or portable generator, and build quality or extra features such as CO sensor, remote start etc.
Single Fuel
| Generators | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| All Power America APGG12000 | $947 |
| DuroMax XP12000E | $839 |
| A-iPower SUA12000E | $879 |
| Westinghouse WGen9500 | $879 |
| WEN DF1200X 12000-Watt | $1142 |
From the above table, the average cost of a generator will be $937.2, ranging between $839 and $1142.
Dual Fuel
| Generators | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Pulsar G12KBN | $999 |
| DuroStar 12000-Watt Gas or Propane | $1199 |
| DuroMax XP12000EH | $879 |
| A-iPower SUA12000ED | $884 |
| Westinghouse WGen9500 Watt Dual Fuel | $1249 |
From the above table, the average cost of a generator will be $1022, ranging between $879 and $1249.
Standby
| Generators | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Kohler 12RESV – 12 kW Home Standby Generator | $3393 |
| PowerProtect™ 12kW Standby Generator brigg and straton | $3929 |
From the above table, the average cost of a generator will be $3661, ranging between $3393 and $3929.
Installation Cost
The installation cost of a generator can vary from one location to another, but on average, it costs around $2000.
Inlet box
| Inlet Box | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Connecticut Electric EGSPI50 50A | $68 |
| Reliance Controls PB50 50-Amp | $89 |
| Rophor 50 Amp | $49 |
| ETL listed 50 Amp | $49 |
The inlet box costs an average of $63, which we estimated from the table above. It ranges between $49 and $68.
Transfer Switch
| Transfer Switch | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Progressive dynamics pd52v 50A | $170 |
| Gaeyaele w2r-3p 100A | $80 |
| Reliance Controls Pro/Tran 2 – 50-Amp | $385 |
| Homelink™ 50A Manual Transfer Switch | $619 |
The best available transfer switch costs an average of almost $313, which we calculated from the table above. It ranges between $80 and $619.
High Rated Cord
| Cord | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Best brose 50Ft 50 Amp | $210 |
| CircleCord 5pft 50A | $229 |
| Rvingpro 50Amp | $219 |
The best cord will cost you around $219, which ranges between $210 and $229.
So, the total upfront cost of a 12000-watt generator will be, on average, $6256 for a standby generator, $3617 for a dual-fuel generator, and $3532.2 for a single-fuel generator.
Running Cost
If we assume that you are going to run the generator for 3 hours on a daily basis at half load, then what will be the cost of fuel? Let’s suppose the price of gasoline is $3.84 per gallon.
Fuel Cost
| Generator | Gasoline Runtime | Propane Runtime |
|---|---|---|
| Pulsar G12KBN Heavy Duty | 1.5 hrs/gal at half load | 0.25 hrs/pound at half load |
| DuroStar 12000-Watt | 1.06 hrs/g at half load | 0.3 hrs/pound at half load |
| All Power America APGG12000 | 1.25 hrs/gallon at half load | |
| DuroMax XP12000EH | 0.96 hrs/g at half load | 0.31 hrs/pound at half load |
| DuroMax XP12000E | 0.96 hrs/g at half load | |
| A-iPower SUA12000E | 1.28 hrs/g at half load | 0.29 hrs/pound at half load |
| Westinghouse WGen9500 | 1.8 hrs/g at half load | |
| Westinghouse WGen9500df | 1.8 hrs/g at half load | 0.3 hrs/pound at half load |
| WEN DF1200X | 0.94 hrs/gallon at half load | 0.3 hrs/pound at half load |
According to the table above, on average, a generator will consume 1.4 hrs/gallon at half load. Therefore, the generator will consume 2.14 gallons of fuel per day, which will cost you $8.22 per day and $246 per month if you run the generator for 3 hours daily at half load.
Maintenance Cost
| Generator | Air Filter Cost | Oil Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Pulsar G12KBN Heavy Duty | $10 | 37.2 fl oz |
| DuroStar 12000-Watt | $23 | 40.5 fl oz |
| All Power America APGG12000 | $28 | 37.12 fl oz |
| DuroMax XP12000EH | $23 | 40.5 fl oz |
| DuroMax XP12000E | $23 | 40.5 fl oz |
| A-iPower SUA12000E | $18 | 37.19 fl oz |
| Westinghouse WGen9500 | $14 | 37.2 fl oz |
| Westinghouse WGen9500df | $14 | 37.2 fl oz |
| WEN DF1200X | $25 | 38.4 fl oz |
Air Filter Cost
On average, air filters cost around $19.7, ranging between $10-$25, whenever you reach the maintenance requirement after a certain number of usage hours recommended by the manufacturer.
Oil Cost
| Engine Oil | Approximate Cost /fl oz |
|---|---|
| Honda Motor Oil | $0.37 |
| Shell ROTELLA | $0.16 |
| Generac FS Oil | $0.59 |
| Husqvarna XP+ | $1.02 |
| Briggs & Stratton | $0.18 |
On average, the engine oil capacity of a 12k-watt generator is 38.4 fl oz, ranging between 37.19-40.5 fl oz. The average cost of oil is $0.46/fl oz, so the cost of an oil change will be $17.6 when you reach the recommended usage hours threshold set by the manufacturer.
Conclusion
The upfront cost of a 12000-watt generator, which includes the generator, transfer switch, inlet box, cord, and labour installation, will cost you around $3532 for a single fuel, $3617 for dual fuel, and $6256 for a standby generator. The running cost will be $8.22 per day and $246 per month if you run it daily for three hours at half load. The cost of an oil change will be $17.6, and On average, air filters cost around $19.
