Generac Guardian 22kW Standby
The set-and-forget option: the whole house, on, automatically, every time.
Specs
| Running watts | 22,000 W |
| Starting watts | 22,000 W |
| Type | Home standby |
| Fuel | Propane / natural gas |
| Outlets | Hardwired via automatic transfer switch |
| Start | Electric |
| CO safety shutoff | Varies by version — check the listing |
| Typical street price | ~$5,700 (fluctuates — check listing) |
Figures are the manufacturer's published specs; dashes mean the maker doesn't publish a number. Verify against the current datasheet before you buy.
What can it actually run?
Checked with the same math as our calculator: total running watts, plus the single largest motor surge on top. “Tight” means it technically fits but the load sits above 80% of rated output — fine briefly, not where you want to live.
- ✓ runs itFridge, Wi-Fi, and lights730 W running · 2,230 W peak
- ✓ runs itStorm essentials (fridge, freezer, furnace fan, sump pump)3,080 W running · 4,630 W peak
- ✓ runs itEssentials plus a 10,000 BTU window AC4,280 W running · 6,680 W peak
- ✓ runs itMost of the house (well pump, central AC, laundry)13,680 W running · 19,680 W peak
The installer's take
This isn't a portable — it's an appliance an electrician and a plumber install, fed by natural gas or buried propane, that self-tests weekly and takes over in seconds whether you're home or not. Rated 22 kW on LP and 19.5 kW on natural gas. The $5,700 sticker is only the machine: with the automatic transfer switch, pad, gas line, and labor, plan on a $9,000–$14,000 project. Worth it for medical equipment, frequent outages, or a house that can't freeze; overkill for a twice-a-year fridge-and-lights problem.
Pros
- Fully automatic — works when you're away
- Runs on utility gas: no refueling, ever
- Powers the whole panel including central HVAC
Cons
- Installed cost is a multiple of the sticker price
- Needs professional install, permits, and annual service
- Oversized for essentials-only needs