Generators
What Does a Whole House Generator Cost in New Hampshire, Installed?
Published 7 min readBy Copp Electric
Installed whole house generator cost in New Hampshire depends on more than the unit. Size in kW, propane versus natural gas, the transfer switch, panel condition, distance and trenching, and permits all move the number. Copp Electric, an authorized Generac dealer, prices each job in writing after a site visit.
Key takeaways
- The generator itself is only part of the price. Installation, fuel work, the transfer switch, and permitting make up the rest.
- Size is the biggest lever: whole-house coverage needs a larger unit than a managed set of essential circuits.
- An older or full panel can add a panel upgrade to the job. That gets checked on the site visit, not guessed.
- Propane jobs may need a tank sized for multi-day run time. Natural gas jobs may need a meter or line upgrade.
- Budget for upkeep: Copp Electric's basic annual service plan is $350.
Why generator quotes differ so much
Two neighbors can get very different quotes for what looks like the same generator. The unit price is published. The installation is not, because every house is wired, fueled, and laid out differently.
A fair quote names every piece of the job. If a price only lists the generator and a line that says installation, ask what is left out. Fuel work, the transfer switch, and the permit are the usual gaps.
What goes into the installed price
| Factor | What changes the cost |
|---|---|
| Generator size (kW) | Larger units cost more and may need a larger fuel supply |
| Whole house or essential circuits | Whole-house coverage usually means a larger unit and a service-rated transfer switch |
| Transfer switch | Service-rated whole-house switch versus a managed essential-circuit subpanel |
| Fuel type | Propane tank sizing and regulator, or a natural gas line sized for the added load |
| Distance and trenching | Longer runs between unit, panel, meter, and fuel add conduit, wire, and digging |
| Panel condition | A full, older, or undersized panel may need an upgrade first |
| Site work | Pad or base, clearances from windows and doors, snow and drainage |
| Permit and inspection | Municipal electrical permit, plus gas or propane work as required |
We do not publish one price for every house because there is no honest single number. You get a written, itemized quote after the site visit.
Whole house or essential circuits
Whole-house backup runs everything, so nobody has to think about what is on when the power goes out. It costs more because the generator and transfer switch are larger.
Essential circuits keep a house livable on a smaller unit. In New Hampshire that list almost always starts with the well pump, then heat and circulators, refrigerator and freezer, septic pump, some lights and outlets, and internet. If you are on a well, no power means no water.
Propane or natural gas
Natural gas never needs refilling, but the meter and line have to carry the added demand. Most Lakes Region homes are on propane, so the question is whether the tank holds enough for a multi-day outage. A generator at full load burns through a small tank fast.
When a panel upgrade becomes part of the job
The transfer switch connects to your service. If the panel is full, failing, or a brand with a known history of problems, it is cheaper and safer to fix it at the same time. We check this on the site visit so it is in the quote, not a surprise on install day.
The cost after install: annual service
A standby generator needs yearly maintenance to start on its own when nobody is home. Copp Electric's basic annual plan is $350 and covers an 18-point checklist with oil, filters, spark plugs, battery service, and voltage readings.
Getting an accurate number
Call 603-707-4293 or send a quote request. We visit, size the generator to what you actually need to run, check the panel and fuel, and give you a written price. We work across Franklin, Tilton, Northfield, Belmont, Laconia, Concord, Sanbornton, Boscawen, plus Bristol, Center Harbor, Gilford, Loudon, Meredith, Moultonborough, and New London.