The short version
Sticker prices in the DMV span a wide range because rentals aren't apples-to-apples. Roughly what you'll see when you shop:
- Small gas generator (3,000–4,000W), day rental at a Home Depot or hardware chain: $80–$120
- Mid-size gas generator (7,000–10,000W), rental yard: $150–$250
- Silent (inverter) gas generator like a Honda EU3000i, event-rental company: $150–$225
- Silent Power battery unit, delivered and set up: from $180/day, with the full Large Event package at $560/day
- Diesel silent trailer (50 kW class), for very large events: $500–$2,500+
The gas rental sticker looks cheaper. What's usually not in the quote is where the real cost lives.
What's usually not in the gas-rental quote
A $100/day sticker is exactly that — the machine, sitting at the rental counter. To use it at your wedding you're going to add:
| Line item | Typical gas rental | Silent Power |
|---|---|---|
| Machine, one day | $80–$225 | $180–$560 depending on package |
| Delivery and setup | $0 (you pick up) | Included |
| Same-day pickup | $0 (you return it) | Included |
| Fuel for the day | $25–$75 | None |
| Gas cans (if not owned) | $20–$40 one-time | None |
| Power distribution box + cords | Often extra or DIY | Included |
| Your time — pickup + return | 2–4 hours | None |
| Someone to refuel mid-event | You or a friend | None |
| Vehicle that can carry a 200-lb machine | You provide | None |
Add it up and the actual all-in cost of a DIY gas rental for a wedding day usually lands in the $200–$400 range once you count fuel, your time, and the distribution box. That's before anyone puts a value on the noise or the fumes.
What's included in the Silent Power price
The $180–$560/day range is genuinely all-in. Included in every package:
- Delivery to your venue (within 20 miles of Chevy Chase, DC; +$100 from 20 to 80 miles)
- Setup — we roll the unit in on a cart, position it where you want it, plug in the distribution box
- Pro-grade power distribution box — multiple independent 20-amp outlets, 120V and 240V, no daisy-chained strips
- All cords
- Same-day pickup after your event
- Zero fuel handling, refueling, or hauling on your end
No hidden line items. No fuel surcharge. No delivery fee inside the 20-mile radius.
Why the range is wide — what changes the price
Two things move the number:
- Which package fits. Small Event at $180 is the low end. The Large Event package at $560 is the high end. It's the same single inverter with four batteries instead of two, which doubles the stored energy — about 22 usable kilowatt-hours against 11. Most weddings are the Large Event package.
- How long the event runs. A longer day needs more stored energy, which can move you from one package to the next.
Everything else is bundled in.
Where gas is genuinely cheaper
Let's be straight about this. Gas wins on price in a few specific situations:
- You already own a generator and are willing to move it yourself.
- Your event is far from any delivery radius — remote enough that no rental service is cost-effective.
- Your load is genuinely industrial — heavy commercial cooking equipment running all day, where battery capacity would run out.
Outside of those, the delivered price of a battery rental is closer to the true all-in cost of a gas rental than the sticker suggests — and you don't spend the day worrying about noise, fumes, refueling, or a generator dying mid-reception.
Common cost questions
Do you charge delivery separately?
Not inside the 20-mile service radius around Chevy Chase, DC — delivery, setup, distribution box, cords and pickup are all included in the daily rate. From 20 to 80 miles it's a flat +$100. Past 80 miles we quote the trip individually; we go for the right event.
Is there a deposit?
A 50% deposit confirms the date; the balance is due after the event. If you cancel more than 30 days out, the deposit is refunded minus a $50 processing fee; inside 30 days it's non-refundable. No payment is required until we've talked, you've approved the configuration, and the date is confirmed.
Do you charge overtime if the event runs late?
If we're picking up the same night, no. If it becomes a next-day pickup or the event runs beyond the day rented, we'll talk about it upfront — no surprise fees added after.
What happens if we need more power than we ordered?
We size up front based on your load and hours, and build in some headroom. If you're borderline, we'll say so and either recommend a larger config or explain the tradeoff.
How do we get a firm quote?
Send us your date, location, and what you're powering. We reply with a specific configuration and price, usually the same day. No obligation.