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 5000-watt generator in terms of both upfront and running costs. For our analysis, we chose the best 5000-watt generator available in the market.
The upfront cost of a 5000-watt generator, which includes the generator, transfer switch, inlet box, cord, and labour installation, will cost you around $3045 for a single fuel, $3044 for dual fuel, and $3655 for an inverter generator. The running cost will be $4.2/day for traditional, and $2.5/day for inverter generators if you run it daily for three hours at half load.
Related Article: How much does a 7500-watt generator cost
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 |
|---|---|
| DuroMax XP5500 | $449 |
| Champion 200921Champion 200921 | $499 |
| JEGS 86065 Portable Generator | $422 |
| Green-Power America 5000W | $431 |
From the above table, the average cost of a single-fuel generator will be $450, ranging between $422 and $449.
Dual Fuel
| Generators | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Pulsar 5250W Dual Fuel | $499 |
| WEN DF475T Dual Fuel | $449 |
| DuroMax XP5500EH | $449 |
From the above table, the average cost of a dual-fuel generator will be $449.
Inverter
| Generators | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Westinghouse iGen4500 | $899 |
| Duromax xp4500ih | $1299 |
| Pulsar Products PG4500iSR | $945 |
| GENMAX 5500 Inverter Generator | $1099 |
From the above table, the average cost of an inverter generator will be $1060, ranging between $899 and $1099.
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 5000-watt generator will be, on average, $3045 for a single-fuel generator, $3044 for a dual-fuel generator, and $3494 for an inverter generator.
Running Cost
If we assume that you will run the generator for 3 hours on a daily basis 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 XP5500E | 2.5 hrs/gal at half load | |
| Champion 200921 | 2.9 hrs/g at half load | |
| JEGS 86065 Portable Generator | 2.5 hrs/gallon at half load | |
| Green-Power America 5000W | 2.75 hrs/g at half load | |
| Pulsar 5250W Dual Fuel | 3 hrs/g at half load | 0.6 hrs/pound at half load |
| WEN DF475T Dual Fuel | 2.75 hrs/g at half load | 0.5 hrs/pound at half load |
| DuroMax XP5500EH | 2.5 hrs/g at half load | 0.5 hrs/pound at half load |
| Westinghouse iGen4500 | 5.2 hrs/gallon at half load | |
| Duromax xp4500ih | 6 hrs/gallon at half load | |
| Pulsar Products PG4500iSR | 4 hrs/gallon at half load | |
| GENMAX 5500 Inverter | 3.5 hrs/gallon at half load |
According to the table above, on average, a traditional generator will consume 2.71 hrs/gallon at half load, and an inverter generator will consume 4.6 hrs/gallon.
Therefore, the traditional 5000-watt generator will consume 1.1 gallons of fuel per day, which will cost you $4.2 per day and $127 per month if you run the generator for 3 hours daily at half load.
The inverter 5000-watt generator will consume 0.65 gallons of fuel per day, which will cost you $2.5 per day and $75 per month if you run the generator for 3 hours daily at half load.
Maintenance Cost
| Generator | Air Filter Cost | Oil Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| DuroMax XP5500E | $23 | 20.3 fl oz |
| Champion 200921 | $19 | 16 fl oz |
| JEGS 86065 Portable Generator | $15 | 19.2 fl oz |
| Green-Power America 5000W | $17 | 19.2 fl oz |
| Pulsar 5250W Dual Fuel | $10 | 20.3 fl oz |
| WEN DF475T Dual Fuel | $18 | 20.3 fl oz |
| DuroMax XP5500EH | $23 | 20.3 fl oz |
| Westinghouse iGen4500 | $14 | 19.2 fl oz |
| Duromax xp4500ih | $23 | 20 fl oz |
| Pulsar Products PG4500iSR | $10 | 21 fl oz |
| GENMAX 5500 Inverter | $14 | 20 fl oz |
Air Filter Cost
On average, air filters cost around $16.9, ranging between $10-$23, whenever you reach the maintenance required 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 5000-watt generator is 19.61 fl oz, ranging between 16-20.3 fl oz. The average cost of oil is $0.46/fl oz, so the cost of an oil change will be $9 when you reach the recommended usage hours threshold set by the manufacturer.
Conclusion
The upfront cost of a 5000-watt generator, which includes the generator, transfer switch, inlet box, cord, and labour installation, will cost you around $3045 for a single fuel, $3044 for dual fuel generator, and $3655 for an inverter generator. The running cost will be $4.2/day for traditional, and $2.5/day for inverter generators if you run it daily for three hours at half load. The cost of an oil change will be $9, and On average, air filters cost around $16.9.
