Generac Guardian 10kW Home Standby Generator with 100 Amp Transfer Switch - Automatic Whole House Backup Power for Storms, Emergencies, and Outages, WiFi Enabled, Runs on Natural Gas or Liquid Propane

The first time my street went dark this summer, the Generac 10kW Guardian had something to prove. Ten seconds later, the lights, Wi‑Fi, fridge, and well pump were all humming and the HVAC cycled like normal. That’s the core promise of a home standby system: disappear into the background during normal life, then step forward without fanfare when you need it. After several months of living with this unit, here’s how it measures up.

What you get and what you don’t

This package pairs Generac’s 10kW air‑cooled standby generator with a 100‑amp, 16‑circuit automatic transfer switch. The generator sits in a corrosion‑resistant aluminum enclosure (the “bisque” finish blends in better than bright white in most yards) on a composite base. It runs on either natural gas or liquid propane, and Generac’s True Power Technology keeps total harmonic distortion under 5%, which has been gentle on sensitive loads like networking gear and induction cooktops.

You will need to supply a 12V starting battery (commonly a Group 26R) and, if you live in a cold climate, I strongly recommend the cold‑weather kit that warms the battery and oil. Plan on hiring a licensed electrician and coordinating with a plumber or gas fitter for fuel supply; this isn’t a weekend DIY if you want it permitted and inspected.

Installation experience

I set the unit on a compacted gravel pad with pavers. The generator weighs roughly the same as a large riding mower, so have a plan to move it safely from the curb. Freight delivery is curbside; inspect the crate carefully before signing and note any damage.

Hookup was straightforward: 240V feed and control wiring to the transfer switch, gas line sized to the manufacturer’s spec, and Wi‑Fi onboarding for remote monitoring. Expect a day’s work for a pro crew, not counting trenching or meter upgrades. A few practical notes from my install:

• Gas line sizing matters. Don’t undersize and starve the engine during heavy load plus winter heating. Check the BTU requirements and run length.
• Clearances and placement are not suggestions. Follow local code for setbacks from openings and property lines; the aluminum enclosure helps, but you still need airflow.
• If you have a 200‑amp service and want true “whole‑home” coverage, this included 100‑amp, 16‑circuit switch is best for essentials, not everything. More on that below.

Once wired, the unit did its automatic weekly exercise without hiccups. I set the self‑test to a quiet, lower‑speed mode and scheduled it for a weekday midday window.

Performance and power quality

In real outages, the Guardian has started within about 10 seconds and transferred power cleanly. Voltage and frequency regulation have been steady enough that my UPS units stay calm, and the clean waveform has kept my electronics happy. On liquid propane, the unit has a bit more headroom; on natural gas, expect slightly lower output, which is normal in this class.

Ten kilowatts is a practical sweet spot for many homes if you’re thoughtful about loads. I ran:

• Gas furnace blower and 3‑ton AC (with a soft‑start kit)
• Refrigerator and deep freezer
• Well pump
• Lighting, outlets, and networking gear
• Induction cooktop (one zone at moderate power)

Running all of that at once would push the generator, so I staggered heavy loads. If you have multiple large compressors (two ACs, big heat pump, or a large electric range plus dryer), plan to manage loads or consider a higher‑capacity system. Adding a soft‑start to HVAC makes a noticeable difference.

Noise is lower than any open‑frame portable generator I own, but it’s not silent. At the property line it’s a background hum; next to the unit during exercise it’s conversation level. If your lot is tight, talk to your neighbors about the weekly test window.

The transfer switch: expectation vs reality

The bundled 100‑amp, 16‑circuit automatic transfer switch is a reliable, weather‑resistant load center. It does exactly what it’s meant to do: power the most important circuits during an outage with quick, automatic transfer.

But calling this “whole‑house” is a stretch for many homes. If you have a 200‑amp service and you want everything—including high‑draw appliances and non‑essentials—to stay live, you’ll want a service‑rated switch sized for your main panel or a smart‑management solution. The included switch is perfect for an essentials‑only strategy: HVAC, fridge/freezer, well/sump, lighting, office gear, and a few convenience circuits. That’s how I configured mine, and it’s been seamless.

Remote monitoring and Wi‑Fi

Setup through Generac’s Mobile Link app took a few minutes. Once connected, I can see runtime, exercise history, and alerts, and I get notifications when the unit starts and stops. The important clarification: the generator does not require Wi‑Fi or the app to operate. It’s a self‑contained system; the connectivity is for convenience and maintenance planning.

Mobile Link offers basic monitoring at no cost and an optional subscription for expanded data and features. I stayed on the free tier and haven’t felt limited for day‑to‑day use.

Maintenance and reliability

The G‑Force engine in this unit is designed for standby duty—lots of easy exercise cycles punctuated by longer load runs during outages. After the initial break‑in oil change, routine service is simple: oil, filter, air filter, and plugs at manufacturer intervals, plus a quick visual inspection during exercises. I appreciate that parts are easy to source, and the aluminum enclosure has held up well to weather.

Plan on:

• Keeping spare oil and filters on hand
• Checking fuel connections annually
• Replacing the battery proactively every few years
• Updating firmware through the app when prompted

The 5‑year limited warranty is competitive in this category. As with any standby system, your real-world support experience will depend on local service coverage. I recommend lining up a dealer for startup and annual service before buying, especially if you live outside a metro area.

Fuel considerations

Fuel consumption varies with load and fuel type. On natural gas, expect steady sipping rather than gulping, but if you run multiple heavy loads for hours, the meter will spin. On propane, size your tank with multi‑day outages in mind; the ability to ride out a long storm is the point of a standby system. I keep the AC’s soft‑start and a “no dryer/no oven” rule during outages to stretch runtime, and it’s worked well.

What I like

• Clean, stable power that’s friendly to sensitive electronics
• Fast, reliable automatic transfer and start
• Aluminum enclosure and composite base that shrug off weather
• Simple, predictable maintenance with good parts availability
• Useful remote monitoring without requiring a paid plan
• Sensible 10kW capacity for essentials and then some

What could be better

• The included 100‑amp, 16‑circuit switch is not “whole‑home” for most 200‑amp services
• Freight delivery can be hit‑or‑miss; unboxing protection is minimal, so inspect carefully
• Battery and cold‑weather kit are not included
• Noise is reasonable but noticeable during exercise in tight lots

Who it’s for

If you want a set‑and‑forget backup system that keeps the core of your home running through storms and outages, this 10kW setup hits a practical balance of capacity, cost, and simplicity. It’s a great fit for homes with gas heat, a single moderate AC, and a willingness to manage a few high‑draw appliances during an outage. If you truly need every circuit live—including electric heat, big ranges, multiple compressors, and workshop tools—spec a larger unit with a service‑rated transfer switch.

The bottom line

The Generac 10kW Guardian did exactly what I wanted: it fades into daily life, exercises itself, and then quietly takes over when the grid blinks. Power quality is clean, the automatic transfer is seamless, and the remote monitoring adds the right amount of transparency without being required for operation. Just be realistic about the included transfer switch and plan your circuits accordingly.

Recommendation: I recommend this generator for homeowners seeking dependable, automatic backup for essential circuits with moderate whole‑home coverage. It’s efficient, well‑built, and easy to live with. If your goal is true, everything‑on whole‑home backup on a 200‑amp service, step up to a larger unit and a service‑rated transfer switch—but for most households, this 10kW package is a solid, confidence‑inspiring choice.