What size generator do I need for a Texas home?

For most 2,000–3,000 sq ft Texas homes with one AC unit, an 18–22 kW standby generator handles essentials plus AC during summer outages. Larger homes (4,000+ sq ft) or homes with two AC systems need 22–26 kW. Your installer should run a load calc on your panel before quoting size.

What does a whole-home generator cost installed in Texas?

In 2026 Texas markets, an 18–22 kW air-cooled natural-gas standby generator with automatic transfer switch runs $8,500–$16,000 installed. Liquid-cooled units (24 kW+) run $14,000–$28,000. Cost varies with gas-line distance, panel work, and city permit fees.

Do I need a permit for a generator in Texas?

Yes — every Texas city requires both an electrical permit (for the transfer switch) and a mechanical or plumbing permit (for the gas connection). HOA approval is also commonly required for placement and noise. Use a TDLR-licensed electrician who pulls permits — uninspected work can void homeowner insurance and complicate future home sales.

Natural gas or propane generator?

Natural gas is preferred when available — no tank to refill, no fuel runout. Propane is the default if your home has no gas service; you'll need a 250–500 gallon tank to run for an extended outage. In rural Texas without gas, propane is the standard.

Electrical · Generator · Updated April 2026

Whole-home generators in Texas: cost, sizing, and what to install after Uri

February 2021's Winter Storm Uri left millions of Texans without power for days. Houston's 2024 derecho did it again. The standby generator market in Texas effectively quadrupled overnight. Here's how to specify and install one without overpaying or ending up with the wrong size.

Air-cooled vs. liquid-cooled

Air-cooled (residential, 8–22 kW)

Most common for Texas homes
Cheaper, smaller, simpler maintenance
Designed for intermittent outage use, not continuous duty
Lifespan: 1,500–3,000 hours of run time

Liquid-cooled (24–48 kW residential, 50+ kW commercial)

For larger homes, ranches, or extended outage scenarios
Engine is similar to a small car — radiator-cooled, longer life
Lifespan: 5,000–10,000+ hours
Quieter, but significantly more expensive

Sizing it right

Two ways to size:

Whole-home (run everything)

The generator handles every breaker in the panel. Easy to live with but expensive — you're paying for capacity you only need for the brief moments when AC compressor and dryer fire at once.

Managed-load (smart transfer switch)

The transfer switch sheds non-essential loads when the generator is running. AC drops out for a moment when the dryer fires, then re-engages when the dryer stops. Lets a 22 kW generator run a 30 kW house. This is the most common Texas spec.

What it costs in 2026 Texas

14 kW air-cooled, basic transfer switch: $7,500–$11,000
18–22 kW air-cooled, managed-load transfer switch: $9,500–$16,000
24 kW liquid-cooled: $15,000–$24,000
30+ kW liquid-cooled: $22,000–$35,000

Adders that move the price: gas line beyond 30 ft, panel relocation, concrete pad pour, HOA-required screening, and sound-isolated enclosures.

The permits and inspections

Electrical permit for the transfer switch and generator connection
Mechanical or plumbing permit for the gas line tie-in
City inspector signs off on both before the system is energized
HOA approval for visible placement (ARC committee in most TX HOAs)
Setback rules from operable windows, fresh-air intakes, and property lines (typically 18 inches from the foundation, 5 feet from windows)

Maintenance

Weekly self-test cycle (built in — leave it enabled)
Annual oil and filter change
Battery replacement every 2–3 years (the start battery, not the home battery)
Air filter and spark plugs every 200 hours of run time

What homeowners ask after the install

Will it run my AC?

A properly sized 18–22 kW air-cooled generator with a managed-load transfer switch runs one 3–4 ton AC unit alongside refrigerator, lighting, and outlets. Two AC systems usually need 22–26 kW or load shedding logic that runs them sequentially.

How loud is it?

Modern air-cooled units run 65–75 dB at 23 ft — about a window AC unit. Liquid-cooled enclosures get down into the 60s. HOA noise limits and proximity to neighbors are the practical constraint.

Does it run on Texas natural gas?

Yes — most Texas homes with gas service install natural-gas standby generators. The installer verifies meter capacity (the gas company may require a meter upgrade for 22+ kW units) and sizes the gas line for full load.