Whole-Home Generator Installation
Standby generators sized, installed, and commissioned by licensed Master Electricians across the Wasatch Front.
Power You Can Count On When the Grid Goes Down
When the power goes out during a Utah windstorm, an arctic snap, or a summer wildfire-related shutoff, a standby generator keeps your heat running, your fridge cold, your sump pump going, and your medical equipment powered. Park City, Draper foothill homes, Coalville, Kamas, and the Tooele Valley all see more outages than the valley floor -- and standby generators have gone from luxury to standard.
Osborne Electric installs whole-home standby generators and portable generator transfer switches. We handle the full install: pad, electrical, transfer switch, gas line coordination, permit, and inspection.
What's included in a whole-home generator install:
- Site visit + load calculation to size the unit correctly
- Permit + HOA coordination
- Concrete or composite pad (poured or pre-cast)
- Natural gas or propane line coordination with licensed gas fitter
- Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) installation sized to your panel
- Wiring, breaker, and panel coordination
- Commissioning and load test under simulated outage
- Inspection coordination with your city
- Optional annual maintenance plan
- Workmanship guarantee
Standby vs. Portable -- Which Do You Need?
Whole-home standby generator (Generac Guardian, Kohler 20RESCL, Cummins QuietConnect):
- Permanently installed on a concrete pad outside
- Automatically starts within 10-30 seconds of power loss
- Runs on natural gas or propane (no refueling)
- Sized to power whole home or essential circuits
- $8,000-$15,000 installed for typical 18-26kW units
Portable generator with transfer switch:
- Lower upfront cost ($1,500-$3,500 transfer switch + $800-$2,500 unit)
- Requires manual setup (roll out, refuel, start, switch)
- Good for occasional outages or budget-conscious homeowners
- Doesn't auto-start
For most homeowners on the Wasatch Front, we recommend the whole-home approach with a managed transfer switch. The cost difference is now smaller than it used to be, and homeowners overwhelmingly prefer "everything works" to "I have to think about what to run."
What Size Generator for Your Utah Home?
Quick sizing chart -- we confirm with a load calc on site.
- Under 1,500 sq ft, gas furnace, no AC: 7-10kW
- 1,500-2,500 sq ft, gas furnace, central AC: 14-16kW
- 2,500-3,500 sq ft, central AC: 16-20kW
- 3,500-4,500 sq ft, dual zones: 20-22kW
- 4,500-6,000 sq ft, multiple HVAC zones: 22-26kW
- Over 6,000 sq ft, all-electric, EV charging: 26-36kW (sometimes dual)
See our complete generator sizing guide for a step-by-step load calculation walkthrough.
Generator Installation Questions
What size generator do I need for my Utah home?
For most Utah homes 3,000-4,500 sq ft with central AC and gas furnace, a 22kW Generac Guardian is the sweet spot. Smaller homes need 14-18kW. Larger Park City and Draper homes can need 26kW or paired generators. See our sizing guide.
How much does a whole-home generator cost installed in Utah?
14kW: $9,000-$12,000. 18-22kW whole-home: $11,000-$15,500. 26kW large home: $13,500-$18,000. Portable with manual transfer switch: $2,500-$5,500. Costs depend on gas line distance, pad work, transfer switch size, and panel modifications.
Natural gas or propane -- which is better?
Natural gas if your home has it (most Wasatch Front homes do) -- runtime is indefinite, no fuel storage. Propane for rural Tooele County, Summit County, and off-grid properties. We install both and help you decide.
How long does the install take?
On-site work is 2-4 days spread across the project, plus 1-3 weeks of calendar time for permits and parts. Total typical timeline: 3-4 weeks contract to commissioning.
Do generators need maintenance?
Yes. Annual oil and filter change, battery check, load test. The generator self-tests weekly. We offer service plans or service-as-needed.
Will a generator protect my Park City second home from frozen pipes?
Yes. Automatic-start standby generators detect outages and start within 30 seconds. Your heat keeps running and pipes stay above freezing -- one of our most common Park City generator installs.
Related Services & Areas
Generator Sizing Guide
Step-by-step load calculation for your Utah home.
Panel Upgrades
Panel upgrades to support generator + EV + modern home load.
Park City Generators
Mountain home backup power -- one of our most common Park City installs.
Emergency Electrical
Same-day service for storm-damaged service drops and outages.
Get a Free Generator Estimate
We'll come out, size the unit to your home, and give you a written estimate. No pressure, no upsells.
801-885-4521