Electrical · Whole-home backup generator installation in Seattle

Whole-home backup generator installation in Seattle.

Most Seattle homeowners installing a backup generator land at 14 to 18 kW ($9,500-$13,000). That handles essentials plus most major appliances except simultaneous AC and electric range. Heat pump households need 20+ kW. Natural gas is the right fuel 90% of the time for homes already on PSE gas. We're a Generac Pro Dealer and install Kohler and Briggs as alternatives.

Call (206) 200-9134 → Get a free quote

// GENERAC GUARDIAN 20kW · WHOLE-HOME · NATURAL GAS

Typical install $9,500 – $13,000

Right size for most 14 – 18 kW

Heat pump homes 20+ kW

Fuel PSE natural gas · propane

Install time 2 – 3 days

What drives the price

Wattage class, fuel choice, ATS placement, pad + ventilation.

01
Wattage class

Essentials (14-18 kW), heat-pump-ready (20-22 kW), or whole-home (24+ kW).
02
Fuel choice

Natural gas (PSE) is the right call 90% of the time. Propane for off-gas-grid properties.
03
ATS placement

Automatic transfer switch near the panel. Some installs need an outdoor disconnect.
04
Pad + ventilation

Concrete pad + 18" clearance per code. Many installs need a small pad pour.

Generator sizing logic

Most Seattle homes need 14 to 18 kWunless you have a heat pump (20+ kW).

Generator sizing comes down to which loads you want during an outage. Essentials (refrigerator, lights, internet, furnace blower, well pump): 8-12 kW handles it. Most homeowners want more — major appliances, AC, electric water heater: 14-18 kW is the sweet spot.

Heat pump households need 20+ kW because the heat pump itself draws 5-7 kW continuous in heating mode. A 14 kW generator can't handle a heat pump + the rest of the house. We size up accordingly when we know electrification is in the future.

Fuel: natural gas is the right call 90% of the time in Seattle metro because most homes are already on PSE gas. Propane only for off-gas-grid properties (some Sammamish, Issaquah, rural Pierce). Diesel for commercial only.

Get your whole-home backup generator install quote in 24 to 48 hours.

Free on-site evaluation. Master electrician on every consult. No high-pressure sales. We answer Mon-Sun, 7 AM to 8 PM.

Request a quote → Call (206) 200-9134

Cost breakdown

Generator install cost by wattage.

Generator + ATS + pad + install. We pull the permit, coordinate the gas hookup with PSE if needed, and schedule the city inspection.

✓Permit + inspection included✓PSE gas coordination included✓5-yr Generac warranty

Get a real quote → Call (206) 200-9134

Wattage class

Cost

10 kW · essentials only Fridge, lights, internet, furnace blower

$7,500–$9,000

14 kW · standard home Essentials + most major appliances

$9,500–$11,500

18 kW · large home or AC Includes AC simultaneous use

$11,500–$13,500

22 kW · heat pump household Heat pump + everything else

$13,500–$16,000

26 kW · whole-home redundancy Run everything simultaneously

$16,000–$19,500

Add-on · Propane tank install Off-gas-grid properties

+$1,800–$3,500

Add-on · Soundproof enclosure Quieter operation

+$800–$1,400

Generators need monthly self-test runs (built in) and annual maintenance. Add to a maintenance plan for annual check + oil change.

From first call to final walkthrough

How a whole-home backup generator install with us goes.

Our process is built around making decisions easy, not pressuring you to make them today. Here's what every Black Lotus install looks like.

See the full process →

01

Day 0Schedule.

You call. We answer. A technician is introduced by name and a two-hour window is confirmed.
02

Day 1Consult.

On-site evaluation, Manual J load calc where applicable, panel + ductwork check, install photos. Written estimate in 24 to 48 hours.
03

Day 2-4Approve.

You pick your option. We pull permits, register warranties, lock in your install date and PSE rebate paperwork.
04

Day 5-7Install.

Full walkthrough before we touch a wire. Combustion analysis if any gas equipment remains, startup, full system test.
05

AfterSatisfied.

Walkthrough at the end. Anything you flag, we fix. Final payment only after sign-off. Warranty starts now.

Equipment lines we install

Generators we install.

Generac Guardian

Standard

Wattage 10-26 kW

Our default residential generator. Best parts availability in Seattle, longest warranty, broadest service network. Quiet operation, weekly self-test.

Wattage 10-26 kW

Fuel NG / LP

Warranty 5 yrs / 2,000 hrs

Kohler RES

Premium

Wattage 14-26 kW

Premium alternative to Generac. Quieter (62-67 dB), commercial-grade engine. Better fit for homes where the generator location is near bedrooms.

Wattage 14-26 kW

Sound 62-67 dB

Warranty 5 yrs

Briggs & Stratton Symphony

Value

Wattage 10-20 kW

Value option. Strong fit for renters/landlords or homes where the generator is supplementary to existing power.

Wattage 10-20 kW

Fuel NG / LP

Warranty 3-5 yrs

Why homeowners pick us

Three operational choices that change how the install lands.

Real Manual J load calculations.

We don't quote from square footage. Every system is sized from a measured load calculation accounting for insulation, windows, orientation, and air sealing. Oversized equipment is the most common failure mode we see on competitor installs.

In-house electrical.

HVAC and electrical under one roof. No subcontractor coordination, no second permit, no surprise add-ons after the gas guy leaves. If your panel needs work, we do it with the same crew on the same week.

Final payment after walkthrough.

You sign off after we walk the install with you. Anything you flag, we fix. Your money clears only after you say it's right. That clause is in writing on every install.

Black Lotus might not currently have the marketing chops of the bigger outfits, it's worth giving them a meeting. We're glad we did. They charged us 1/2 of other bids I had gotten.

Anna Chen · Local Guide · 132 reviews · Verified Google review

Common scenarios

Common generator scenarios.

Wind-driven outage prep.

Eastside hills and Sammamish Plateau get hit by wind-driven Cascade outages multiple times a year. 14-18 kW Generac is the right size for most homes.

Heat pump household.

Heat pump draws 5-7 kW continuous in heating mode. Upsizing to 22 kW handles the heat pump plus the rest of the house simultaneously.

Work-from-home / medical equipment.

Internet, computers, medical devices need uninterruptible power. Generator + small UPS bridge the 10-15 second gap before generator starts.

Common questions before you call

Quick answers before you call.

01 /

How long does generator installation take?

2 to 3 days for most residential installs. Day 1 is pad pour + ATS install. Day 2 is generator delivery, gas hookup, electrical connections. Day 3 is commissioning and city inspection.

02 /

How loud is the generator running?

Generac Guardian runs 65-70 dB at full load (similar to a vacuum cleaner). Kohler RES runs 62-67 dB. Soundproof enclosure ($800-$1,400) drops both by 5-7 dB.

03 /

Will the generator power my heat pump?

A 14 kW won't handle a heat pump in heating mode + the rest of the house. Heat pump homes need 20+ kW. We size for both your current load AND any planned electrification.

04 /

How often does the generator test itself?

Weekly self-test for 5 minutes at low load. You'll hear it run briefly once a week. The test ensures the generator starts when you actually need it.

05 /

Do you do generator maintenance?

Yes. Annual maintenance (oil change, filter, spark plug check, battery test) is $250-$400 per visit. Often bundled into our maintenance plans.

06 /

Will my insurance go up?

No — opposite. Most carriers offer a 3-5% discount for whole-home generator installations. We document the install for your carrier file.

Schedule your consult

Free on-site evaluation. Written quote in 24 to 48 hours.

Same-day diagnostic for furnace, AC, or electrical service calls within our primary area. King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.

Call (206) 200-9134 → Schedule online

Hours Mon-Sun · 7 AM – 8 PM

Service area King · Pierce · Snohomish

Email blacklotushvac@icloud.com

Three Seattle-born partners. 30+ years combined HVAC experience. Master electrician on every consult. PSE Trade Ally with the $1,200 rebate priced into your quote.