Homeowner weighs $20,000 backup power choice after repeated outages reveal a pricey fix

"That is a huge factor in the amount of gas you can supply without running a new line."

A series of brief power cuts, including one outage that lasted three days, left one homeowner debating whether a standby backup system was worth the steep price tag, according to a Reddit post.

Posting on r/generator, the homeowner said an 11-kilowatt natural-gas generator would cover the essentials, but phone estimates for a whole-home installation with an automatic transfer switch ranged from $14,000 to $20,000.

Here's what to know

Commenters framed the decision as a balance between convenience and upfront expense. The original poster could opt for a much cheaper portable generator or pay far more for a standby system that turns on automatically when utility power goes out.

The homeowner's backup list included the refrigerator, gas furnace, gas water heater, window AC units, a 230-volt well pump, the garage door opener, smoke detectors, bathroom lights, and several household circuits. Although a standby setup would be ideal for someone who often works long shifts away from home, the poster said installation would "triple the price."

More background

The homeowner had already done some rough calculations, estimating a need for 6,800 running watts and 10,900 surge watts. They also pointed out that their natural-gas inlet is 1/2-inch and rated for 7 iwc, a detail that could influence the final installation cost.

Other users concentrated on gas supply and real electrical load.

"How long is your 1/2" run?" one person asked. "That is a huge factor in the amount of gas you can supply without running a new line."

On the electrical side, another commenter said the furnace's BTU rating mattered less than the blower draw, writing, "BTU on the gas furnaces doesn't matter; how many watts are the fans drawing?"

The discussion also turned to whether a smaller, less expensive system could meet the homeowner's needs. One commenter said a 4,500-watt inverter generator with an interlock switch was enough for heat and hot water because the boiler fan draws less than 150 watts. Another said a 9,375-watt portable generator powers all of their 120-volt loads, including two freezers, a refrigerator, and a sump pump.

As for the installation, the homeowner said one contractor estimated about 15 feet of gas piping and roughly 10 feet of electrical work, using surface-mounted conduit rather than trenching. Even so, the possible need for a gas meter upgrade could still become a major obstacle.

Where can I learn more?

Like this homeowner, many people dealing with repeated outages have faced the same question: does the convenience of automatic backup power justify the cost?

• In North Carolina, an automatic backup system cost 3 to 4 times as much as a portable setup.

• After burst pool pipes, one homeowner was quoted $3,110 for a portable generator versus $22,436 for a whole-home system.

• After outages in Ottawa, a homeowner compared a $15,000 standby generator with a $4,000 portable unit.

• In Central Florida, four days without electricity made a $15,000 whole-home generator seem much more reasonable.

• Some owners found a smaller setup could come in under $12,000 after a $19,500 proposal.