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Pricing & Estimating 9 min read • Jun 24, 2026

Whole-Home Standby Generators: Sizing, Transfer Switches & Texas Freeze Prep

Protecting Texas properties during grid outages. Sizing Generac and Kohler generators (20kW to 26kW), natural gas meter upgrades, and automatic transfer switches.

Memories of winter grid blackouts and summer storm power outages have made standby generators standard equipment for Texas homeowners and commercial facilities.

Essential Installation Components

  1. Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS): 200A service-entrance rated switch that automatically senses utility power loss and starts the generator within 10 seconds.
  2. Soft-Start AC Capacitor Kits: Drops compressor startup amperage by 60% to 70%, preventing generator stalling.
  3. Dedicated Concrete Equipment Pad: Anchors the generator unit level above potential localized flooding.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a whole-home generator cost installed in Texas?

Turnkey installation of a 22kW to 26kW whole-home standby generator with an automatic transfer switch (ATS) averages $11,500 to $16,500 in Texas, including concrete equipment pad, electrical interlocks, and city permits.

Will a 24kW generator run two central AC units in Texas?

Yes, when equipped with smart load-management modules (SMM) or soft-start compressor kits that stagger startup inrush current on AC compressors.

Do I need a gas meter upgrade for a standby generator?

Often yes. A 24kW generator running at full load consumes 250,000 to 300,000 BTUs of natural gas per hour. CenterPoint, Atmos, or Texas Gas Service may need to upsize your meter to a 2 lb high-pressure service.

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