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.