Generac Generators

Generac invented the home standby generator category and remains the residential backup power market leader — manufacturing automatic home standby generators, portable generators, inverter generators, portable power stations, and the PWRcell solar-plus-battery storage system. Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Generac built its reputation on the automatic home standby generator: a permanently installed unit wired to the home's electrical panel through an automatic transfer switch that detects grid outages and restores power within seconds, running on natural gas or liquid propane without manual setup or refueling.

Generac generators span three categories — air-cooled home standby generators from roughly 7.5kW through 26kW for whole-home and partial-home backup, liquid-cooled standby generators from 22kW through 150kW for large homes and light commercial, and portable and inverter generators for jobsite, recreational, and manual backup. The flagship Guardian Series air-cooled line covers the dominant residential backup market, while the PWRcell system extends Generac into solar-plus-storage backup.

The Trade Table is an authorized Generac dealer carrying Generac home standby generators, portable generators, and backup power systems with full manufacturer warranty coverage and access to Generac's nationwide authorized service dealer network for installation coordination, warranty service, and maintenance.

Generac Generator | Home Standby, Portable & Whole-House Backup Power

A Generac home standby generator installs permanently outside the home on a pad, connecting to the natural gas or liquid propane supply and wiring into the electrical panel through an automatic transfer switch. When the switch detects an outage, it starts the generator automatically — restoring power within 10 to 30 seconds — and transfers the home's load from grid to generator. When grid power returns, it shifts the load back and shuts the generator down. The sequence runs automatically whether or not anyone is home, which is the defining advantage over portable generators that require manual setup, fuel, and connection during an outage.

The Guardian Series is Generac's flagship air-cooled standby line — output classes from roughly 10kW through 26kW, running on natural gas or liquid propane, with Wi-Fi monitoring through Generac Mobile Link that reports generator status to a smartphone. Guardian units install with a matched automatic transfer switch sized to the home's electrical service, and the largest air-cooled models (24kW–26kW) run an entire typical home including central air conditioning without load management.

Air-cooled standby generators cover the dominant residential market — sized from essential-circuit backup (refrigeration, well pump, furnace, sump pump, select circuits) through whole-home units powering the full panel. Air-cooled units use a fan-and-air engine cooling system, run quieter and cost less than liquid-cooled units, and suit most residential installations. Liquid-cooled standby generators scale from 22kW through 150kW for large estates, light commercial buildings, and extended continuous runtime.

Generac portable and inverter generators cover manual and recreational power — portable generators for jobsite power and manual home backup through a transfer switch or interlock, plus quieter inverter generators producing clean power for sensitive electronics, RV use, and tailgating. Generac also builds portable power stations and the PWRcell solar-plus-battery system for silent, solar-rechargeable backup. Standby sizing depends on whole-home vs essential-circuit backup, the home's electrical service size, and the largest motor loads like central AC that drive surge requirements.

Generac Generator Options

• Guardian Series air-cooled home standby generators (10kW–26kW class)
• Air-cooled standby generators for essential-circuit and whole-home backup
• Liquid-cooled standby generators (22kW–150kW) for large homes and light commercial
• Automatic transfer switches matched to home electrical service
• Whole-house standby generators for full-panel backup
• Portable generators for jobsite and manual home backup
• Inverter generators for clean power and recreational use
• Portable power stations for battery-based portable backup
• PWRcell solar-plus-battery storage systems
• Generac Mobile Link Wi-Fi remote monitoring
• Natural gas and liquid propane fuel configurations
• Smart load management modules for right-sizing standby capacity

Benefits of Generac Generators

• Invented and leads the home standby generator category
• Automatic operation — starts within seconds, no manual setup
• Runs on natural gas or liquid propane without refueling
• Whole-home and essential-circuit backup configurations
• Guardian Series Wi-Fi monitoring via Generac Mobile Link
• Air-cooled for residential, liquid-cooled for large homes and commercial
• Nationwide authorized service dealer network for installation and warranty
• Automatic transfer switch wired to the home panel
• Smart load management right-sizes standby capacity affordably
• PWRcell battery storage option for solar-plus-storage backup
• Runs unattended for days during extended outages on a gas supply
• Backs up central AC, well pumps, sump pumps, refrigeration, and medical equipment

Common Uses for Generac Generators

• Whole-home automatic backup during storms and grid outages
• Essential-circuit backup for refrigeration, well pumps, sump pumps, and furnaces
• Hurricane and severe-weather region backup power
• Rural and well-water homes where power loss means water loss
• Homes with medical equipment requiring uninterrupted power
• Large estates requiring liquid-cooled standby capacity
• Light commercial buildings and small businesses
• Jobsite power with portable Generac generators
• Recreational, RV, and tailgating power with inverter generators
• Solar-plus-storage backup with the PWRcell system
• Snow Belt winter outage backup during ice storms
• New construction specifying permanent standby backup

Why Buy Generac Generators from The Trade Table?

The Trade Table is an authorized Generac dealer, helping customers select the right Generac generator based on backup goal (whole-home vs essential-circuit), home electrical service size, fuel type (natural gas vs liquid propane), the largest motor loads like central air conditioning, and air-cooled vs liquid-cooled requirements. Our team runs a load calculation to size the generator and matched automatic transfer switch, helps choose between the Guardian Series air-cooled lineup and liquid-cooled models, specifies smart load management to right-size capacity affordably, and coordinates installation with a licensed electrician and gas fitter. We carry Generac with full manufacturer warranty coverage and access to Generac's nationwide authorized service dealer network. Buyers cross-shopping fuel-engine brands often compare Generac against Briggs & Stratton standby and portable lines.

Generac Generator FAQs

How much does a Generac generator cost?

Generac generator cost depends on unit size and whether you're pricing the generator alone or installed. The unit itself runs roughly $2,000–$5,000 for smaller air-cooled Guardian Series home standby models, $5,000–$8,000+ for larger whole-home air-cooled units (24kW–26kW), and $10,000–$20,000+ for liquid-cooled models. Installed cost is higher and varies by region, since it includes the automatic transfer switch, mounting pad, gas line connection by a licensed gas fitter, electrical connection by a licensed electrician, permits, and inspection. Portable Generac generators cost far less than standby units. The Trade Table provides unit pricing and helps customers understand the full installed-cost picture for their configuration.

How much does a Generac generator cost installed?

Installed cost combines the generator, the matched automatic transfer switch, and professional installation — mounting pad, gas line connection, electrical wiring to the panel, permits, and inspection. It varies widely based on distance from the gas meter and electrical panel to the generator location, the home's electrical service size, local permit and labor costs, and whether the gas supply needs upsizing to feed the generator. Because installation involves licensed electrical and gas work plus permitting, installed cost is meaningfully higher than the unit price alone. The Trade Table supplies the generator and transfer switch and helps coordinate installation through qualified local installers.

How does a Generac generator work?

A Generac home standby generator works automatically through three connected components: the generator (outside on a pad), an automatic transfer switch (wired into the electrical panel), and the natural gas or propane supply. The transfer switch continuously monitors grid power. When it detects an outage, it starts the generator, and once the generator is running and stable (typically 10–30 seconds), it disconnects the home from the grid and connects it to the generator. When grid power returns, it shifts the load back and shuts the generator down. The process is automatic and requires no manual intervention, fuel handling, or presence at home.

What size Generac generator do I need?

Sizing depends on whether you want whole-home backup (the entire panel) or essential-circuit backup (selected critical circuits), plus your electrical service size and largest motor loads. Essential-circuit backup for a refrigerator, well pump, furnace, sump pump, and select circuits can be covered by smaller air-cooled units. Whole-home backup including central air conditioning typically requires larger Guardian Series units (22kW–26kW) or smart load management to right-size a smaller unit. Large homes may require liquid-cooled units. Correct size is set by a load calculation against your circuits and the starting demand of large motors like AC compressors — the Trade Table helps run this.

What's the difference between air-cooled and liquid-cooled Generac generators?

Air-cooled units use a fan-and-air engine cooling system and cover the residential market from essential-circuit backup through whole-home units up to 26kW — quieter, more affordable, and right for most homes. Liquid-cooled units use a radiator-style cooling system to handle the higher heat loads of larger engines, scaling from 22kW through 150kW for large estates, light commercial buildings, and extended continuous runtime. For most homes an air-cooled Guardian Series unit is correct; liquid-cooled units serve applications that exceed air-cooled capacity.

Does a Generac generator run on natural gas or propane?

Both — the fuel type is configured at installation based on what's available. Homes with natural gas service connect to the existing gas supply, giving effectively unlimited runtime from the utility line. Homes without natural gas use liquid propane from an on-site tank, with runtime depending on tank size. Both fuels burn cleaner than gasoline and don't degrade in storage the way gasoline does — a key advantage over gasoline portables. The gas connection must be made by a licensed gas fitter, and the supply may need upsizing to feed the generator's demand.

How long can a Generac generator run continuously?

A Generac standby generator on a natural gas utility line can run for very long periods — limited mainly by recommended maintenance intervals (oil changes and inspections) rather than fuel, since the utility supply is effectively unlimited. Many homeowners run standby units for days during prolonged outages. Propane units are limited by tank size, so runtime depends on LP tank capacity and the home's load; propane users should monitor levels and arrange refills during extended outages. On both fuels, the generator should receive scheduled maintenance per Generac's service intervals during very long runs.

How long do Generac generators last?

Quality Generac home standby generators commonly last 15–30 years or more with proper maintenance, since they run only during outages and scheduled self-tests rather than continuously. Lifespan depends on maintenance discipline (scheduled oil changes, filter replacement, inspections), total run hours, and environmental conditions. Air-cooled Guardian Series units serving typical residential outage duty cycles last decades because annual run hours are low. Liquid-cooled units in heavier-duty applications are built for higher continuous hours. Generac's nationwide authorized service dealer network supports maintenance throughout the unit's life, and a maintenance plan extends service life by keeping the unit serviced on schedule.