⚡ Generator Cost Calculator
Calculate fuel costs for whole home generators and compare fuel types.
Generator Details
Actual Load: 10 kW
50% of 20 kW capacity
💡 Load Tips: Light load (25%): essentials only. Medium load (50%): normal usage. Heavy load (75%): whole home with AC/heat.
Operating Costs
Fuel Consumption
100 cubic feet/hr
at 50% load
Hourly Cost
$150/hour
Daily & Weekly Costs
Daily (24 hrs):
$3600
Weekly (7 days):
$25200
Total for 24 Hours
Fuel Used:
2400 cubic feet
Total Cost:
$3600
💰 Cost Savings: Natural gas is typically the most economical fuel option for standby generators, costing 50-75% less than propane.
Fuel Type Comparison
Natural Gas
$3600
Most economical
Gasoline
$84
Portable units
Diesel
$72
Heavy duty
Propane
$108
Rural areas
Understanding Generator Costs
How This Calculator Works: This tool estimates fuel consumption and operating costs based on your generator size, load level, and fuel type. The calculations use industry-standard fuel consumption rates for each fuel type.
Load Management:
- Light Load (25%): Refrigerator, lights, TV, internet, small AC/heat
- Medium Load (50%): Normal whole-home usage with major appliances
- Heavy Load (75%): Multiple major appliances, central AC, electric water heater
- Maximum Load (100%): Everything running simultaneously (not recommended for extended periods)
Cost-Saving Tips:
- Choose natural gas if available - it's the most economical option
- Size your generator appropriately - bigger isn't always better
- Manage loads efficiently - don't run everything at once
- Perform regular maintenance to ensure peak efficiency
- Consider time of use - run heavy loads in short bursts when possible
Typical Outage Costs: A 3-day outage running at 50% load typically costs $216-270 for natural gas, $432-576 for diesel, and $648-864 for propane.
📖 Learn More About Generator Costs
Check out our comprehensive guide on whole home generators, including installation costs, fuel storage, maintenance schedules, and regional considerations.
Read the Complete Guide →