Cummins QuietConnect RS20A 20kW is a home standby generator from Cummins, rated 20,000 running watts on propane and 18,000 W on natural gas, measured at 65 dBA, with 120/240V output.
General
Type
home-standby
Fuel
natural-gas, propane
Power output
Running watts (gas / LP for standby)
20000 W
Running watts (propane)
20000 W
Running watts (natural gas)
18000 W
Performance
Noise level
65 dBA
NG use at half load
172 ft³/h
Propane use at half load
1.81 gal/h
Electrical
Output voltage
120/240V
Automatic transfer switch included
No
Main-line circuit breaker
100 A
Features
Start type
automatic
Engine
Engine
Cummins QSJ999G
Engine displacement
999 cc
Physical
Weight
531 lb
Warranty
Warranty
5 yr
What the numbers mean
At 20,000 running watts
on its best fuel, this unit is sized for whole-house coverage on a typical 200 A home, subject to a load calculation by a licensed electrician.
Runs on natural gas, propane — expect lower output on propane (roughly
10%) and natural gas (roughly 20%) than on gasoline; the spec table shows the
published per-fuel ratings.
Estimated fuel cost for 24 h at ~50% load: about $62 on natural gas at
national average prices (assumptions).
Permanently installed unit: sizing, gas-line capacity, placement clearances, and
the transfer switch are a job for licensed installers under local permits.
What can the Cummins QuietConnect RS20A 20kW run during an outage?
With 20,000 running watts on its best fuel, the Cummins QuietConnect RS20A 20kW is sized for whole-house coverage on a typical 200 A home, subject to a load calculation by a licensed electrician. Add up your actual loads with a sizing worksheet — the bands here are rough guidance, not a load calculation.
What does the Cummins QuietConnect RS20A 20kW cost to run for a day?
Roughly $62 for 24 hours of continuous operation at about 50% load on natural gas, at national average fuel prices. The assumptions behind this estimate are documented on the methodology page; your fuel price and load change the figure.
Does the Cummins QuietConnect RS20A 20kW start automatically?
Yes — home standby generators monitor utility power and start themselves when it fails; pairing it with an appropriately sized automatic transfer switch (sold separately for some configurations) completes the automatic changeover.
