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Home generators in Orlando: brands, sizing and installed cost
Six brands, one honest answer per question: what size, what it costs installed in Central Florida, where it can go, and what the warranty really covers. We size on your real load, then recommend the unit — the kilowatts matter more than the logo.
Pick a brand. Each page answers the same questions.
Logos identify the manufacturer. In Phaze Electric is an independent licensed contractor, not the manufacturer, and installs the unit you choose.
The standby most Orlando homes already have.
Generac builds more home standby generators than anyone in the United States, which is why parts, technicians and used-unit knowledge are everywhere in Central Florida.
GENERAC IN ORLANDO →
Heavier build, fuller warranty, quieter.
Kohler home generators (now made by Rehlko, the renamed Kohler Energy) are the main alternative to Generac for whole-home standby.
KOHLER IN ORLANDO →
Longest standard warranty, 26 kW air-cooled.
Briggs & Stratton home standby (PowerProtect) runs 13 to 26 kW on Vanguard-derived engines and carries a 7-year comprehensive warranty, the longest in the class.
BRIGGS & STRATTON IN ORLANDO →
Engine company first. Quietest in class.
Cummins QuietConnect home standby generators (13, 17 and 20 kW air-cooled; liquid-cooled above 25 kW) come from the diesel and truck-engine maker, with parts flowing through its commercial network.
CUMMINS IN ORLANDO →
Value standby with a 10-year warranty; the dual-fuel portable everyone owns.
Champion Power Equipment is best known for dual-fuel portable generators, and it also makes home standby units from 8.5 to 22 kW with the aXis controller and a 10-year limited warranty.
CHAMPION IN ORLANDO →
The quiet inverter portable. Hook it to the house properly.
Honda does not make a home standby generator.
HONDA IN ORLANDO →Standby brands compared for Florida homes.
Manufacturer figures. Noise is measured at 23 feet; warranties are the standard ones, before dealer extensions.
| BRAND | AIR-COOLED SIZES | STANDARD WARRANTY | MONITORING | ENCLOSURE | NOISE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generac | 10, 14, 18, 22, 24, 26 kW | 5 yr limited (labor & travel yrs 1–2) | Mobile Link, Wi-Fi + cellular, included | Aluminum | ~66–67 dBA |
| Kohler | 10, 14, 20, 26 kW | 5 yr / 2,000 h, parts + labor + travel full term | OnCue Plus, Wi-Fi/Ethernet | Heavy aluminum | ~64–66 dBA |
| Briggs & Stratton | 13, 18, 22, 26 kW | 7 yr comprehensive (10 yr option) | InfoHub cellular, subscription | Galvanneal steel | ~62–66 dBA |
| Cummins | 13, 17, 20 kW (25–40 liquid-cooled) | 5 yr / 2,000 h (labor & travel yrs 1–2) | Connect Cloud, cellular | Aluminum | ~65 dBA |
| Champion | 8.5, 12.5, 14, 22 kW | 10 yr limited | Wi-Fi Direct set-up only | Steel | ~59–63 dB |
| Honda | No standby — 2.2 to 7 kW inverter portables | 3 yr residential | — | — | ~48–60 dBA |
The central AC decides the kilowatts.
Running watts for Central Florida homes. A 3-ton AC draws 3.5–4 kW running and two to three times that for a second at start-up — a soft-start or load-shed module lets a smaller unit carry it. We run a load calculation on site; this table is for planning.
| SIZE | RUNS | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| 7.5 – 10 kW | Essentials: fridge, lights, fans, Wi-Fi, a well pump, one window unit | Portable-plus-interlock territory, or the smallest standby units. |
| 13 – 14 kW | Essentials plus one 2–3 ton central AC with a soft-start or load-shed module | The most common “essential circuits” standby in Orlando. |
| 18 – 20 kW | Most of a 2,000–2,800 sq ft home with one 3.5–4 ton AC | Whole-home for many single-AC houses. |
| 22 – 26 kW | Whole home with two AC systems, pool pump, electric range or dryer | Needs a 200 A service-rated transfer switch and often load management. |
Three price tiers. The brand moves them less than you think.
Planning ranges including the transfer switch or interlock, pad, electrical and gas permits and a standard fuel run. The in-person estimate is free and the number on it is the number.
Inlet box, breaker interlock kit, dedicated circuit, permit. Uses the generator you already own.
AC, fridge, well, key outlets and lights. Transfer switch and pad included.
Full automatic transfer. Multiple AC systems, long fuel or feeder runs, subpanel work.
Price match against any licensed contractor's live quote · 5% off for military, first responders and teachers · See all our prices →
Clearances, HOAs and the gas run.
Generator questions we get every hurricane season.
Brand-specific questions are on each brand page.
Which generator brand is best for a Florida home?
For automatic whole-home backup, Generac and Kohler lead on parts availability and build; Briggs & Stratton and Champion lead on warranty length (7 and 10 years); Cummins is the quietest. Honda makes the best portables but no standby unit. The brand moves the installed price far less than the kilowatts, the gas run and the transfer switch do.
How much does a whole-house generator cost installed in Orlando?
Plan on $9,500–$18,000 for an 18–26 kW standby with a 200 A automatic transfer switch, pad, permits and a standard natural-gas or propane run. Essential-circuit standby (10–14 kW) runs $6,500–$9,500. Hooking up a portable you already own with an inlet and interlock is $1,200–$2,400.
What size generator do I need for a house in Central Florida?
The central AC decides it. Essentials without AC fit in 7.5–10 kW; one 3-ton AC plus essentials is 13–14 kW; a whole 2,500 sq ft home with one AC is 18–20 kW; two AC systems, a pool pump and an electric range are 22–26 kW. We run a load calculation on site.
Do I need a permit for a generator in Orange County?
Yes — an electrical permit for the transfer switch or interlock, and a gas permit for a standby unit on natural gas or propane. We pull both and schedule the inspections; it is included in every quote.
Natural gas or propane?
Natural gas if it is at the street: no refuelling, ever. Otherwise a 250–500 gallon propane tank with its own setbacks from the house and property line. Standby units run slightly derated on natural gas, which is why spec sheets list two ratings.
How far from the house does a standby generator have to be?
Manufacturers and NFPA 37 call for 18 inches from the structure and 5 feet from any window, door or vent, plus 3 feet of service clearance in front. Portables must run at least 20 feet from the house with the exhaust pointed away.
Will a generator add value to my Orlando home?
A permitted standby generator is a listed feature on Central Florida MLS entries and buyers ask for it after every storm season. Expect to recover a meaningful share of the cost; an unpermitted hookup does the opposite at inspection time.
Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Lake counties.
Tell us what has to stay on. We will size it and price it.
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–6:00 PM. A human picks up. Hablamos Español.