Cummins Generators

Cummins has 3 units on Outage Geek, priced from $3,899 to $5,926. The least expensive Cummins model here is the Cummins QuietConnect RS13A at $3,899, and the lineup below runs cheapest first.

~$3,899

Home Standby Generator · NG/LP · 65 dB

Cummins QuietConnect RS13A

The sleeper value in home standby: a genuine Cummins — the company that powers hospitals and data centers — at a price under the equivalent Generac or Kohler. The RS13A's QSJ999G 999cc V-twin was designed in-house for gaseous fuel, and the QuietConnect sound-insulated enclosure holds it to 65 dB at 23 feet. It holds 13kW on either natural gas or propane with no derate and meets the 18-inch NFPA 37 clearance for tight lots. The catch: the Cummins residential dealer network is sparse compared to Generac's. If there's no certified servicer within reasonable distance, warranty work becomes your problem. The Cummins app covers status and alerts but is basic.

13,000 W · up to well pump or a small central AC

running: 13,000 W
Transfer switch: transfer-switch ready

Best for Value-focused buyers near a Cummins dealer who want commercial-grade pedigree and low noise.

Full spec sheet

CumminsRS17A

~$5,327

Home Standby Generator · NG/LP · 65 dB

Cummins QuietConnect RS17A

Cummins' 17kW air-cooled unit, positioned between the RS13A and RS20A. Its V-twin QSJ999G engine is rated 17kW on both natural gas and propane (70.8 amps at 240V), so there is no natural-gas penalty to budget around. Cummins says it will start and run a 5-ton AC under full pre-load, and it can control four loads through built-in load management. The 65 dB(A) rating, measured at 23 feet, and the 18-inch clearance from the house under NFPA 37 are what owners mention first. The caveats are practical. It runs on one fuel at a time, set to natural gas at the factory and switched in the field, so it is not a dual-fuel unit. Cummins does not publish a list price; $5,327 is a retailer list, and dealer quotes run lower. The dealer network is smaller than Generac's, and the transfer switch is a separate purchase.

17,000 W · up to well pump or a small central AC

running: 17,000 W
Transfer switch: transfer-switch ready

Best for Homeowners who want a quiet, full-rated 17kW air-cooled unit on natural gas and do not want to pay for a liquid-cooled machine.

Full spec sheet

~$5,926

Home Standby Generator · NG/LP · 65 dB

Cummins QuietConnect RS20A

The RS20A's headline is noise: Cummins holds it to 65 dB at 23 feet — dishwasher territory — while still starting a 5-ton air conditioner and managing four loads with its built-in intelligent load control. The same QSJ999G V-twin as the RS13A runs harder here, delivering 20kW on propane and 18kW on natural gas, and it ships cold-weather-ready to 0°F out of the box. The trade-offs also mirror the RS13A — sparse residential dealer coverage makes pre-purchase service planning essential, stock frequently slips to pre-order, and the app is functional but bare-bones. For sound-sensitive neighborhoods it's arguably the class benchmark.

20,000 W · up to whole home with central air

running: 20,000 W
Transfer switch: transfer-switch ready

Best for Noise-sensitive neighborhoods and HOAs that still need full whole-house starting power.

Full spec sheet