Whole-house standby
Generac
The short version
The US home standby default, roughly 70 percent of the market by most industry estimates, with the biggest dealer and parts network and a recall and complaint file to match.
Machine price only. The installed project, with the pad, gas line, transfer switch, permits, and two trades, typically runs $12,000 to $18,000. See the real-cost guide.
We earn nothing from this link. Prices are public ranges as of 2026 and change often, confirm current pricing on the brand's site.
A standby install runs $12-18K all in
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Line-up & pricing
| Guardian 14kW (7223) | ~$4,500 | Entry whole-house size, WiFi Mobile Link monitoring |
| Guardian 24kW (7209/7210) | $6,729-$7,789 | The default big-house size, sold with or without a 200A ATS |
| Guardian 26kW (7290/7291) | $6,989-$7,899 | Largest air-cooled Guardian; 7291 bundles a 200A whole-house ATS |
Guardian 14kW from about $4,500 machine-only; 24kW and 26kW packages run $6,729-$7,899. That is the machine, not the project: installed projects typically run $12,000-$18,000 once the pad, gas line, transfer switch wiring, permits and two trades are on the invoice. Re-verify current pricing.
Getting the power into the house
Sold with or without a bundled ATS; the 7210 and 7291 packages include a 200A whole-house switch. Budget the ATS and its wiring either way.
Service reality: The biggest dealer and service network in US home standby by a wide margin; parts are everywhere, and so is the wait when a storm hits a whole region at once.
Best for
The buyer who wants the safe default: every installer quotes it, every dealer stocks parts, and resale and installer familiarity are unmatched.
Not for
Anyone unwilling to fight a warranty claim if they land in the complaint-file minority, or who wants the quietest machine on the block.
What it does well
- +Biggest dealer, installer and parts network in US home standby
- +Widest air-cooled range, 10kW to 26kW, plus larger liquid-cooled units
- +Mobile Link remote monitoring standard and strong resale
Where it falls short
Sourced, not our opinion. This is the part the brand's own page leaves off.
CPSC recalled GP-series portables (GP3600 through GP9500ETF) for carburetor fuel leaks on first fueling, with 114 leak reports; a class action over the fuel leaks followed. Standby Guardians were not part of this recall.
Source: CPSC recall notice, April 2026; classaction.org
About 64,000 GP15000E and GP17500E portables recalled after 29 reports of pressurized fuel tanks expelling gas when opened, including three severe burn injuries.
Source: CPSC recall notice, 2023
Owner reports of controller failures, denied warranty claims and parts delays recur across BBB and ConsumerAffairs, and a 2026 service bulletin acknowledged a defective mixer on units built November 2025 to April 2026.
Source: BBB complaint file; ConsumerAffairs owner reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Generac generator cost?
Guardian 14kW from about $4,500 machine-only; 24kW and 26kW packages run $6,729-$7,899. That is the machine, not the project: installed projects typically run $12,000-$18,000 once the pad, gas line, transfer switch wiring, permits and two trades are on the invoice. Re-verify current pricing.
What fuel does a Generac generator run on?
Natural gas or propane
Does a Generac generator need a transfer switch?
Sold with or without a bundled ATS; the 7210 and 7291 packages include a 200A whole-house switch. Budget the ATS and its wiring either way.
What is Generac's warranty?
5 years limited (standby). Generac runs frequent free extended-warranty promos, so ask before you sign.
Who is Generac best for?
The buyer who wants the safe default: every installer quotes it, every dealer stocks parts, and resale and installer familiarity are unmatched.
Who should skip Generac?
Anyone unwilling to fight a warranty claim if they land in the complaint-file minority, or who wants the quietest machine on the block.
Sources
Before you commit, size your real loads and read the safety page.