Last Updated: April 2026
Home Generator Statistics 2026: Ownership Rates, Sales & Market Size
The home generator market has experienced dramatic growth driven by rising power outage frequency, extreme weather events, and increasing awareness of grid vulnerability. From portable gas-powered units to whole-home standby systems and solar-battery backups, Americans are investing in backup power at record rates. This page compiles generator ownership data, market size trends, safety statistics, and consumer behavior insights from EIA, IBISWorld, and other authoritative sources.
Ownership Rates
22%
of U.S. households own a portable generator
— EIA Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS), 2020
5.6%
of U.S. households have a permanently installed standby generator
— EIA RECS, 2020
~29M
estimated U.S. households with at least one generator (portable or standby)
— EIA RECS, 2020 / Industry estimates, 2023
3x
higher generator ownership in rural areas vs. urban areas
— EIA RECS, 2020
37%
of Americans in hurricane-prone coastal counties own a generator — vs. 19% nationally
— EIA, 2020 / FEMA, 2022
~75M
U.S. households (roughly 55%) do NOT own any form of backup power — portable or standby
— EIA RECS, 2020
48%
of generator owners purchased their unit within 2 years of a major local power outage event
— Generac Consumer Survey, 2022
Market Size & Growth
$4.5B
U.S. generator market size (residential + commercial) in 2023
— IBISWorld, 2023
$6.1B
projected U.S. generator market size by 2028
— IBISWorld / MarketsandMarkets, 2023
6.4%
projected CAGR (compound annual growth rate) for the U.S. generator market through 2028
— MarketsandMarkets, 2023
$3.2B
Generac Holdings' annual revenue in 2022 — the largest residential generator manufacturer in North America
— Generac Holdings Annual Report, 2022
40%
of Generac's residential revenue spike in 2020–2021 was attributed directly to increased power outage frequency
— Generac Holdings, 2021
$28.1B
global residential generator market size in 2023, of which North America accounts for approximately 38%
— Grand View Research, 2024
Portable vs. Standby Generators
$700–$2,000
typical purchase price range for a portable gas generator (3,500–10,000 watts)
— Consumer Reports, 2023
$5,000–$15,000
typical installed cost for a whole-home standby generator (including transfer switch and installation)
— HomeAdvisor / Angi, 2023
78%
of residential generator sales by unit volume are portable generators; standby units account for higher dollar revenue per unit
— IBISWorld, 2023
3–5 days
average runtime of a portable generator on one tank of fuel — key planning metric for extended outages
— Consumer Reports, 2023
5–7%
home resale value increase attributed to an installed whole-home standby generator, per real estate studies
— HomeAdvisor, 2022
Solar Generators & Battery Backup
$1.5B
U.S. home battery storage market size in 2023, growing rapidly as solar adoption rises
— Wood Mackenzie, 2023
70%
YoY growth in residential battery storage installations in 2023
— Wood Mackenzie, 2024
300,000+
Tesla Powerwalls and similar home battery units installed in the U.S. through 2023
— Wood Mackenzie / Tesla, 2023
$8,500–$15,000
typical installed cost of a home battery storage system (without solar panels)
— EnergySage, 2023
30%
federal tax credit available for solar + battery storage systems under the Inflation Reduction Act through 2032
— IRS / U.S. Department of Energy, 2023
Consumer Purchase Behavior
67%
of generator purchasers cite a recent personal power outage as the primary trigger for buying
— Generac Consumer Survey, 2022
2–4 weeks
typical post-disaster generator lead time at retail — demand spikes cause inventory shortages after major storms
— Home Depot / Lowe's supply chain reports, 2022
58%
of generator owners have used their generator at least once for an actual power outage (not just testing)
— Generac Consumer Survey, 2022
$500
median annual maintenance and fuel cost for a portable generator in regular use
— Consumer Reports, 2023
Generator Safety Statistics
400+
deaths per year from generator-related carbon monoxide poisoning in the U.S.
— CDC, 2023
4,000+
generator-related CO poisoning cases requiring emergency treatment annually
— CDC, 2023
~50%
of generator CO deaths occur within the first hour of operation indoors or in a partially enclosed space
— CDC, 2022
20 feet
minimum distance OSHA and CPSC recommend keeping a portable generator from doors, windows, and vents
— CPSC, 2023
Regional & Geographic Trends
Southeast
highest generator ownership region in the U.S. due to hurricane exposure — FL, GA, NC, SC, TX lead in portable unit ownership
— EIA RECS, 2020
Northeast
highest standby generator ownership per capita, driven by severe winter storms and aging grid infrastructure
— EIA RECS, 2020
California
fastest-growing market for solar + battery storage backup systems due to wildfire-related Public Safety Power Shutoffs
— California Energy Commission, 2023
Cite This Page
SurvivalLab. "Home Generator Statistics 2026: Ownership Rates, Sales & Market Size." SurvivalLab, April 2026. https://survivallab.co/stats/home-generator-statistics-2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of American homes have a generator?
According to EIA's 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey, approximately 22% of U.S. households own a portable generator and 5.6% have a permanently installed standby generator. Accounting for overlap, roughly 25–27% of U.S. homes have some form of backup generator power — meaning about 73–75% have none.
How big is the home generator market?
The U.S. residential and commercial generator market was valued at approximately $4.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $6.1 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual rate of about 6.4%. Globally, the residential generator market was valued at $28.1 billion in 2023, with North America accounting for approximately 38% of global demand.
How much does it cost to install a whole-home generator?
Total installed cost for a whole-home (standby) generator — including the unit, automatic transfer switch, and professional installation — typically ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on generator size (measured in kilowatts), fuel type (natural gas vs. propane), local permit costs, and labor rates. The unit itself usually represents 40–60% of total project cost.
Are solar generators and battery backups better than gas generators?
It depends on use case and outage duration. Solar generators and battery backups are quieter, produce zero carbon monoxide, and require no fuel stockpiling — significant safety and convenience advantages. However, they depend on solar recharge capacity and are limited by battery size. For multi-day outages with heavy loads (central AC, electric stove, water heater), traditional gas generators still deliver more sustained power per dollar. Many households are adopting both: a battery backup for short outages and a gas generator for extended events.
What are the main generator safety risks to know?
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is by far the most serious risk — generators emit CO at concentrations that can be lethal within minutes in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces. The CDC reports over 400 generator-related CO deaths annually. Key rules: never operate a generator inside a home, garage, or within 20 feet of windows or doors; install battery-operated CO detectors on every level of your home; never refuel a hot generator; use only outdoor-rated extension cords rated for the generator's wattage.