Generac Generator Installation Cost in Southern Utah (2026 Pricing Guide)

The short answer

In Southern Utah in 2026, a Generac standby generator install runs:

These prices include: the Generac unit, the automatic transfer switch, install labor, electrical permit, Rocky Mountain Power coordination, and a startup/commissioning visit. They do NOT include: propane tank installation or the propane line work (your propane supplier handles those separately).

Add 15-25% for Brian Head, Duck Creek Village, and other Cedar Mountain locations due to drive time, altitude derating, and seasonal access.

We’re Fowler Electric, an authorized Generac dealer in Southern Utah. Utah License #12129347-5501. This is the honest pricing breakdown that most generator quotes dodge.

What you’re actually paying for

A “Generac generator install” is six separate cost categories the contractor bundles into one quote. Here’s how each contributes.

1. The generator unit itself ($2,500 – $9,500)

• 8 kW Generac air-cooled: ~$2,500 unit cost
• 14 kW Generac air-cooled: ~$3,800 unit cost
• 22 kW Generac air-cooled: ~$5,500 unit cost
• 26 kW Generac liquid-cooled: ~$9,500 unit cost

Unit prices are roughly stable across authorized dealers (Generac sets the MSRP). The variance comes from installer markup, which is usually 15-25%.

2. The transfer switch ($500 – $2,500)

• Standard whole-home automatic transfer switch (ATS): $500 – $1,200
• Smart ATS with load management: $1,200 – $2,500
• Critical-loads sub-panel ATS (for cabins): $800 – $2,000

Load-managed switches let you run a smaller generator by automatically shedding non-critical loads (range, dryer, hot tub) when high-priority loads (well pump, heat tape) need power. Worth the extra cost for cabins.

3. Electrical install labor ($1,500 – $4,500)

• Materials (wire, conduit, mounting pad, weatherproofing): $300 – $800
• Labor (1-2 day install for typical home): $1,200 – $3,500
• Permit + inspection coordination: $150 – $350

4. Rocky Mountain Power coordination ($0 – $400)

RMP needs to coordinate the temporary service disconnect for ATS wiring. They charge a fee for the coordination visit; sometimes it’s bundled with other service work. Plan $200-$400 for new installs.

5. Startup + commissioning ($0 – $400)

Generac requires a certified startup visit within 30 days of install to validate the warranty. Most dealers include this in the install quote.

6. The propane tank (NOT included: $1,500 – $5,000)

A Generac generator runs on propane (or natural gas if you have city gas, which is rare in Southern Utah).

• 250-gallon above-ground tank (basic install): $1,500 – $2,500
• 500-gallon above-ground (recommended for 14 kW+): $2,000 – $3,500
• 1,000-gallon buried (recommended for cabins): $3,500 – $5,000

This is propane company territory. They install the tank, run the gas line to the generator, and bill you separately. We coordinate the install timing with whoever you use.

A 250-gallon tank runs a 14 kW generator about 4 days at full load. A 500-gallon tank: 8-10 days. A 1,000-gallon tank: 16-20 days.

Generator sizing: what you actually need

This is where most “buy from a big-box store and pay an electrician to install” pricing goes wrong: people buy the wrong size.

Right-sized for most Cedar City homes: 14 kW air-cooled

A 14 kW Generac covers: refrigerator and freezer, furnace blower, well pump (if applicable), septic effluent pump, most lighting circuits, gas water heater ignition, gas range ignition, TV and internet, and 1-2 heat tape circuits.

What it does NOT cover at full load: electric water heater, electric range, electric clothes dryer, central AC, hot tub, EV charger. These need to be load-managed (the ATS sheds them when other loads are running) or upgraded to a 22 kW.

For cabins (Brian Head, Duck Creek): 14 kW or 22 kW

Cabin generators are sized differently than home generators. A “small” cabin generator still needs to cover a 2,000-5,000W continuous heat-tape load (the big one), well pump surge, septic effluent pump, refrigeration, some heat, and lighting. See our cabin electrical guide for the full picture.

Most Cedar Mountain cabins land at 14 kW. Owners who want hot tub backup or whole-cabin coverage go to 22 kW liquid-cooled.

For homes with electric everything (no gas)

Electric range + electric water heater + electric dryer + central AC = 22 kW minimum, often 26 kW liquid-cooled. Air-cooled 14-22 kW can work IF you use a load-managed ATS to shed loads.

Why Brian Head and Duck Creek cost 15-25% more

Same Generac unit, different price. Three reasons:

Drive time. Cedar City to Brian Head is 35-90 minutes depending on season. Two trips for install + commissioning + warranty visit = real labor cost.

Altitude derating. Generac specs for air-cooled units derate at altitude. A 22 kW unit at sea level produces 22 kW. At 9,800 feet (Brian Head), it produces about 18 kW. We size up to account for this.

Winter access. November-March installs sometimes need 4WD service vehicles, chains, and weather windows. Plan for 1-2 reschedules per winter cabin install.

How to compare Generac install quotes

Some quotes look cheaper because they skip line items the other quote includes. Check for:

• Is the transfer switch included? Some quotes assume you already have one. You probably don’t.
• Is the permit included? Required in Cedar City. Plan $150-$350.
• Is RMP coordination included? If they say “we’ll let you handle the utility scheduling,” that’s a sign of an inexperienced installer.
• Is the startup visit included? Required by Generac for warranty. If missing, you’ll pay separately later.
• Is propane work included? Almost never. This is your propane supplier’s job, but the quote should specify it’s excluded.
• What’s the workmanship warranty? Generac’s standard product warranty is 5 years on parts. Your installer’s workmanship warranty should be at least 2 years.
• Is the installer authorized by Generac? Authorized dealers can sell, install, AND service Generac warranty work. Non-authorized installers can install but can’t perform warranty service. This becomes a problem when something fails in year 3.

When to call us

Fowler Electric is an authorized Generac dealer in Southern Utah. We provide free written quotes: in-home assessment, sizing analysis, propane coordination, and a fixed-price quote. Visit our generator installation page or request a free estimate.

(435) 682-3866. Utah License #12129347-5501. 24/7 emergency electrical service across Cedar City and Southern Utah.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Generac the best generator brand?

For residential standby generators in Southern Utah, Generac is the best combination of price, reliability, parts availability, and authorized service network. Kohler is comparable in quality but with thinner parts and service coverage in rural Utah. For most Cedar City homeowners, Generac is the right choice.

Can I install a Generac myself?

Utah allows homeowners to install electrical equipment on their primary residence with a homeowner permit. Generator installs are typically NOT a good DIY job: the ATS work involves your main service panel, Generac warranty requires authorized-dealer startup, and propane tank work requires a separate licensed contractor anyway.

Do I need a permit for a Generac generator install in Cedar City?

Yes. The City of Cedar City Building Department issues electrical permits for generator installs inside city limits. Outside city limits but inside Iron County, the Iron County Building Department handles it. Brian Head Town has its own building department. We pull the permit as part of our install quote.

Will Rocky Mountain Power require approval?

Not for the generator itself (it’s backup only, not generating power onto the grid). Yes for the temporary service disconnect during ATS install. We coordinate this with RMP as part of the project; it typically adds 1-3 days to the schedule.

How long does a Generac install take?

Typical timeline from contract to commissioned: 3-5 weeks for most installs (equipment ordering, propane tank install, 1-2 days of electrical work on site, then RMP coordination, inspection, and commissioning). Cabins can run 5-7 weeks due to weather access.

What’s the maintenance cost?

Annual maintenance visit (recommended): $200-$350. Oil and filter changes: $80-$150. A 5-year extended warranty runs $500-$1,200 (Generac sells this; we install).

Does Fowler Electric service generators you didn’t install?

Yes, if it’s a Generac unit. We can perform warranty work, scheduled maintenance, and repairs on any Generac standby generator regardless of who installed it. Other brands: we can do repairs but not authorized warranty service.

Can I get a smaller generator that just backs up the essentials?

Yes. The 8 kW Generac air-cooled is sized exactly for critical loads only: refrigerator, furnace blower, well pump, some lighting. Pair it with a critical-loads sub-panel ATS and you get genuine essential coverage for $7,500-$10,000 turnkey. Most cabin owners actually want this configuration.

What if I have solar?

Solar + Generac is increasingly common. Either grid-tied solar with a Generac for outages, or solar + battery with a Generac covering extended outages. We design hybrid systems regularly for cabin owners who want resilience.

Written by the Fowler Electric Team. Authorized Generac dealer. Licensed Utah electrical contractors serving Cedar City and Southern Utah since 2014. Utah License #12129347-5501 (E200 General + E201 Residential Electrical Qualifier). Call (435) 682-3866.