Does a Whole House Generator Add Value to Your Home?
Does a whole-house generator add value to your home? Can it provide an excellent ROI and increase property value by 5% as companies advertise? Be sure to read this article all the way to the end. We have also included a few top-class standby generators that are currently popular.
Maintaining a home for future investment prospects can be a bit hard on the pocket since not all home improvement investments provide a good ROI.
So if you are considering adding a whole-house generator to your home,? You should know whether it will add some value to your property or not.
Firstly, getting a standby generator means uninterrupted backup electricity no matter if the snow, rain, hail, or wild storms hit your area.
Secondly, a standby generator starts automatically when the utility power goes off, and it will automatically shut off when the utility power is restored. You don’t need to get up, start the switch, or do anything. It gives a great sense of safety and peace of mind.
Lastly, a smart homeowner also knows the value a standby generator brings to home improvement investments.
According to consumer reports and an Ecousable survey, a standby generator increases the property value up to 5.5%, and the ROI is 150%. So if you spend $20000 on the entire installation cost, the ROI will be close to $30000. Most investors give preference to properties with backup standby generators installed for convenience.
What is a Whole House Generator?
A whole-house generator is a large backup generator permanently installed on the property which automatically starts when the utility power goes off and automatically shuts off when the utility power comes ON.
Here is a detailed guide about what is whole house generator and why people prefer it.
How Does a Whole House Generator Add Value to Your Home?
Apart from the 150% ROI and 5.5% addition to the property value, there are also insurance savings if you install a whole-house generator.
People who alivein areas that are more prone to natural disasters like extreme winds and wild rains are rewarded for installing a backup generator, which makes sense.
If are protecting your valuable appliances like ACs, sump pumps, and other expensive things by installing a backup generator in case of power outages, most insurers offer a discount as a reward.
One of my buddies got a discount of 5% on the property portion of a homeowner’s policy from the insurer for installing a whole-house generator by a licensed professional.
This discount can get as high as 8 to 10% because a backup generator brings power security to your home which ultimately increases the value.
Why Investors Prefer Property with Backup Generators
The potential buyer will see the same benefits of the backup generator as you saw during the time of the installation.
Peace of mind and hassle-free backup power during power outages or blackouts is something that everyone wants.
It is more psychological. If the buyer sees a property with a backup generator, he/she will think that the previous owner has taken care of the house.
Standby generators are installed outside the living vicinity so there is no risk involving carbon monoxide poisoning.
Do I Need a Backup Generator?
Power outages are becoming frequent and prolonged in some parts of the U.S. In an emergency, you need backup power for the following reasons other than increasing the property value.
- Keeping the food fresh in the fridge.
- Keep the sump pump running.
- Running electronics in the house including the air-conditioner.
- For charging batteries and other necessary equipment.
Tips to Maximize Your ROI with the Standby Generator
- Hire a professional for clean and glitch-free installation.
- Keep records of the installation cost to show the buyers.
- Keep the generator neat and clean.
- Add a fuel-storage tank in case the utility gas pipeline fails.
Standby Generators vs Portable Generators
| Parameters | Standby | Portable |
|---|---|---|
| Movability | Standby generators are permanently installed | Portable generators are movable and transportable. Great for camping. |
| Clean power | The power generator is clean with less than 5% THD | Not all portable generators produce clean power |
| Noise | Not fuel-shortage. Permanently connected to a natural gas pipeline or propane tank. | Often noisy |
| Efficiency | Fuel efficiency is very high | Less efficient compared to standby generators |
| Fuel | Not fuel-shortage. Permanently connected to natural gas pipeline or propane tank. | Less fuel capacity. You would need to store fuel. |
| ROI | The ROI is very high. It can go as high as 150% when the property is sold with a backup generator. | Little to no ROI. Sellers often take their portable generators with them. |
| Compromise | No need to adjust the lifestyle in case of a power outage. You will get a lot of power for your house. | You may need to adjust your lifestyle which means fewer hot showers, less cooking, and partial running of the fridge. |
| Cost | Very costly. | Budget-friendly. Recommended for areas with fewer power outages, and camping. |
Here is a detailed comparison of standby and portable generators
What is the Best Standby Generator?
The following are the best whole-house generators according to our research.
Whole House Generator Benefits
Whole House Generators Drawbacks
Alex Black is a seasoned electrical engineer with a remarkable 8-year track record specializing in appliances, generators, and transfer switches. With extensive hands-on experience in the field, Alex possesses a deep understanding of electrical systems and their intricate workings. Throughout their career, Alex has consistently demonstrated expertise in designing, troubleshooting, and maintaining various electrical appliances.