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 |
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 |
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 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 |
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.
| Cord | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Best brose 50Ft 50 Amp | $210 |
| CircleCord 5pft 50A | $229 |
| Rvingpro 50Amp | $219 |
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
| Generator | Gasoline Runtime | Propane Runtime |
|---|---|---|
| DuroMax XP15000E | 0.7 hrs/gal at half load | |
| Generac 5734 GP15000E | 0.7 hrs/g at half load | |
| Westinghouse wgen12000 | 1 hrs/gallon at half load | |
| Champion Power Equipment 100111 | 0.8 hrs/g at half load | |
| A-iPower SUA15000EC SUA15000E | 0.8 hrs/g at half load | |
| Pulsar PG15KVTWB 15,000W Dual Fuel | 0.9 hrs/g at half load | 0.29 hrs/pound at half load |
| Pulsar Single Fuel | 0.9 hrs/g at half load | |
| DuroMax XP15000EH | 0.7 hrs/g at half load | 0.3 hrs/pound at half load |
| Westinghouse WGen12000DF | 1 hrs/gallon at half load | 0.3 hrs/pound at half load |
| Firman 15000/12000 electric start | 0.9 hrs/g at half load |
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
| Generator | Air Filter Cost | Oil Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| DuroMax XP15000E | $$23 | 54.1 fl oz |
| Generac 5734 GP15000E | $16 | 54.4 fl oz |
| Westinghouse wgen12000 | $13 | 51.2 fl oz |
| Champion Power Equipment 100111 | $10 | 48 fl oz |
| A-iPower SUA15000EC SUA15000E | $18 | 37.12 fl oz |
| Pulsar PG15KVTWB 15,000W Dual Fuel | $10 | 54.1 fl oz |
| Pulsar Single Fuel | $10 | 54.1 fl oz |
| DuroMax XP15000EH | $23 | 54.1 fl oz |
| Westinghouse WGen12000DF | $14 | 51.2 fl oz |
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 |
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.
