how much does a 15000 watt generator cost

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 15000-watt generator in terms of both upfront and running costs. For our analysis, we chose the best available 15000-watt generator in the market.

The upfront cost of a 15000-watt generator, which includes the generator, transfer switch, inlet box, cord, and labour installation, will cost you around $5061 for a single fuel, $5106 for dual fuel, and $7274 for a standby generator. The running cost will be $15.36 per day and $460 per month if you run it daily for three hours at half load.

Related Article: What can you run on a 15000 watt generator

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.

Single Fuel

Generators Approximate Cost
Generac 5734 GP15000E$3299
Westinghouse wgen12000$2414
Champion Power Equipment 100111 $2184
A-iPower SUA15000EC SUA15000E $2499
Pulsar Single Fuel 15000 Watt$2799
Firman 15000/12000 electric start gas$2800
Single Fuel 15000 watt generators

From the above table, the average cost of a generator will be $2654, ranging between $2184 and $2499.

Dual Fuel 

Generators Approximate Cost
Pulsar PG15KVTWB 15,000W Dual Fuel $3099
DuroMax XP15000EH Dual Fuel$2399
Westinghouse WGen12000DF $2599
Dual Fuel 15000 watt generators

From the above table, the average cost of a generator will be $2699, ranging between $2399 and $3099.

Standby 

Generac 15kW EcoGen Air-Cooled Standby Generator 7163 cost around $4867.

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 BoxApproximate Cost
Connecticut Electric EGSPI50 50A $68
Reliance Controls PB50 50-Amp$89
Rophor 50 Amp$49
ETL listed 50 Amp $49
Inlet Box

The inlet box costs an average of $63, which we estimated from the table above. It ranges between $49 and $68.

Transfer Switch 

Transfer SwitchApproximate Cost
Progressive dynamics pd52v 50A$170
Gaeyaele w2r-3p 100A$80
Transfer Switch

The best available transfer switch costs an average of almost $125, which we calculated from the table above. It ranges between $80 and $170.

High Rated Cord 

The best cord will cost you around $219, which ranges between $210 and $229.

CordApproximate Cost
Best brose 50Ft 50 Amp $210
CircleCord 5pft 50A$229
Rvingpro 50Amp$219
Cords

So, the total upfront cost of a 15000-watt generator will be, on average, $7274 for a standby generator, $5106 for a dual-fuel generator, and $5061 for a single-fuel generator.

Running Cost 

If we assume that you will run the generator for 3 hours daily at half load, then what will be the fuel cost? Let’s suppose the price of gasoline is $3.84 per gallon.

Fuel Cost

GeneratorGasoline RuntimePropane Runtime
DuroMax XP15000E0.7 hrs/gal at half load
Generac 5734 GP15000E0.7 hrs/g at half load
Westinghouse wgen120001 hrs/gallon at half load
Champion Power Equipment 1001110.8 hrs/g at half load
A-iPower SUA15000EC SUA15000E0.8 hrs/g at half load
Pulsar PG15KVTWB 15,000W Dual Fuel0.9 hrs/g at half load0.29 hrs/pound at half load
Pulsar Single Fuel0.9 hrs/g at half load
DuroMax XP15000EH0.7 hrs/g at half load0.3 hrs/pound at half load
Westinghouse WGen12000DF1 hrs/gallon at half load0.3 hrs/pound at half load
Firman 15000/12000 electric start0.9 hrs/g at half load
Fuel Runtime of Generators

According to the table above, on average, a generator will consume 0.74 hrs/gallon at half load. Therefore, the generator will consume 4 gallons of fuel per day, which will cost you $15.36 per day and $460 per month if you run the generator for 3 hours daily at half load.

Maintenance Cost

GeneratorAir Filter CostOil Capacity
DuroMax XP15000E$$2354.1 fl oz
Generac 5734 GP15000E$1654.4 fl oz
Westinghouse wgen12000$1351.2 fl oz
Champion Power Equipment 100111$1048 fl oz
A-iPower SUA15000EC SUA15000E$1837.12 fl oz
Pulsar PG15KVTWB 15,000W Dual Fuel$1054.1 fl oz
Pulsar Single Fuel$1054.1 fl oz
DuroMax XP15000EH$2354.1 fl oz
Westinghouse WGen12000DF$1451.2 fl oz
Air Filter cost and Engine Oil Capacity

Air Filter Cost

On average, air filters cost around $15, ranging between $10-$23, 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
Engine Oil Cost

On average, the engine oil capacity of a 15k watt generator is 65.4 fl oz, ranging between 37.12-54.1 fl oz. The average cost of oil is $0.46/fl oz, so the cost of an oil change will be $30 when you reach the recommended usage hours threshold set by the manufacturer.

Conclusion  

The upfront cost of a 15000-watt generator, which includes the generator, transfer switch, inlet box, cord, and labor installation, will cost you around $5061 for a single fuel, $5106 for dual fuel, and $7274 for a standby generator. The running cost will be $15.36 per day, and $460 per month if you run it daily for three hours at half load. The cost of an oil change will be $30, and On average, air filters cost around $15.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *