Electricity is the lifeblood of your home. Have you ever witnessed the result of frozen pipes that burst? What is the cost to replace a freezer full of food? Have you ever had to clean up after your basement floods? Sure, insurance may cover the damage, but what about the things you could lose that are irreplaceable? In addition, air-conditioners, lights, stoves, water heaters and refrigerators all depend on electricity to keep your home safe, secure and comfortable.

To learn more about the Guardian Emergency Power System, choose from the following menu:

What is an emergency power system?
How important is emergency power to your home?
Why should you own a Guardian Emergency Power System?
How will Generac's Emergency Power System benefit your business?
How does the system work?
What size system do I need?
What can I expect to pay for a Guardian generator?
Other frequently asked questions

What is an emergency power system?

The Guardian emergency power system is a state-of-the-art electricity generating system designed for homes and small-to-medium sized businesses. At the first hint of a power outage, this compact, high-performance generator starts up automatically through Generac's automatic transfer switch. Within seconds, it assumes production of electricity for the pre-selected emergency circuits of your home or business - regardless of how long the power is out.

Automatic emergency power systems have been available for years. They were inherently too large and expensive for homes and small businesses. Generac has taken automatic power systems to the next level. Designed for you and your application in mind, Guardian emergency power systems are high-performance, practical protection. The units are designed to be easily integrated into the construction of a new building or retrofitted for older structures, both at an affordable price. And what's more, they are fueled by your own natural gas or LP service.

The Guardian's compact design makes installation and maintenance easy. The unit can be tucked away just about anywhere outdoors and uses about the same amount of space as a typical central air unit. In order to make routine and preventive servicing as simple as possible, the system has been designed for single-sided serviceability and user friendliness for changing oil, reading gauges and system exercising.

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How important is emergency power to your home?

Electricity is the lifeblood of your home. A power outage that lasts for even a few hours can be a terrible inconvenience. An extended weather related power failure accompanied by storms or severe temperatures can cause flooded basements, frozen pipes, structural damage and financial hardship. Pumps, furnaces, air conditioners, security systems, lights, stoves, water heaters and refrigerators all depend on electricity to keep your home safe, secure and running smoothly.

The average American home may depend on electricity for more than one hundred electrical devices. Even a short power interruption can cause discomfort and inconvenience.

The Electric Power Research Institute reports that lightning and faults (short circuits) cause approximately 90 percent of all power interruptions on power distribution lines. These faults can be caused by severe weather, natural disasters, small animals or vehicles accidentally downing power poles and lines. Destructive high winds, ice and snow compound the severity of any power interruption and can lead to property loss or, worse yet, personal injury.

However, if you own a Guardian emergency power system, you can relax. Guardian protects life and property by supplying vital electricity when you need it most.

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Why should you own a Guardian Emergency Power System?

In the first few minutes of a power outage, Guardian powers up automatically and begins supplying emergency electrical current to the lights and appliances you have chosen to run during a power outage. You don't even have to be at home to react. The Guardian emergency power system senses the problem and reacts for you...automatically.

A blackout could continue for hours...or days. For as long as the outage lasts, you can count on reliable performance from your Guardian emergency power system. And, when the utility power is restored, you can depend on a smooth, safe transition back to the utility line. The transfer occurs automatically, and your Guardian emergency power system stands ready to respond to the next emergency.

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How will Generac's Emergency Power System benefit your business?

Guardian emergency power systems are not just for homes. Because the power supply to your business needs protection as well, Generac builds fully integrated power systems in a variety of output sizes.

A single extended power outage could deal a devastating blow to your business. Not only do the lighting, climate control and alarm systems shut down in a blackout, but you lose the use of computers and office machines, UPC scanners and refrigeration systems.

A single extended power outage could deal a devastating blow to your business. Not only do the lighting, climate control and alarm systems shut down in a blackout, but you lose the use of computers and office machines, UPC scanners and refrigeration systems.

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How does the system work?

1) The Generac automatic transfer switch monitors incoming voltage from the utility line 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

2) When utility power is interrupted, the transfer switch immediately senses the problem and signals the generator to power up.

3) Within seconds, the electrical circuits in your home or business are automatically and safely disconnected from the utility power source and reconnected to your Generac Guardian unit. Quickly, smoothly and powerfully, the Guardian begins delivering electricity to your critical loads.

4) When the utility power source is restored, the electrical circuits in your home or business are automatically disconnected from the Guardian and reconnected to your utility power line.

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What size system do I need?

Guardian emergency power systems are available in a variety of output sizes ranging from 6-40 kW. The size that will work best for you will depend on the wattage requirements for your home or business. Once we determine the output you need from your generator and the type of fuel you wish to use, we can specify the emergency power system that is right for you. A 20% safety factor is recommended to support your electrical appliances with induction motors, which require 2 to 3 times the listed wattage in order to start. Additional capacity may also allow you to add more circuits in the future. 

To ensure safe and proper installation and adherence to all local building code specifications, we will assist you in choosing the Generac Power System that is correct for your application and will then install the system with factory certified installers or other licensed professional.

Below are some broad guidelines that show the power consumption of some of the items you may wish to attach to your Generac Power System.  For final determination of size, have one of our professionals evaluate your requirements and determine the exact equipment you require.

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What can I expect to pay for a Guardian generator?

The Guardian product line is the most comprehensive in the industry offering more power ranges and packaged features. The following is a quick reference chart for general application and pricing purposes. Listed below are some typical installed prices.  Gas installation costs are not included. Contact your us for exact sizing and pricing information.  Prices vary depending on installation requirements and conditions.

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Other frequently asked questions

1. How long does it take to install a unit?

It will vary depending on the size of the unit. The air-cooled 6, 8 and 10 kW should take about 8 hours. The liquid-cooled 15 and 25 kW will normally take up to 14 hours over 2 days. The reason is that the air-cooled units can be placed on a prefabricated mounting pad. The liquid-cooled units, because of the added weight, will often require a poured concrete mounting pad. If the installer can locate a prefabricated mounting pad that will meet the weight requirements, the install time will be reduced accordingly.

The length of time is based on a "typical" application. It does not apply to extended runs of conduit or gas piping or placement of a unit in a location not near the incoming electrical service.

2. How do you size the generator?

The only completely accurate way is to have an electrician apply an amp meter to the circuits or appliances that are being chosen to operate under emergency backup power. It is recommended that the amp draw be measured as the appliance "starts up" when that appliance uses an inductive or resistive motor. For assistance with estimating the size of system your application requires, visit What Size System Do I Need?

3. How much fuel do the units use?

These are fuel consumption quantities at 100% (full) load. It is unlikely that the unit would run at full load for an extended period of time.

4. The generator I've chosen has a 100-amp transfer switch. What if I have 200-amp service in my home?

It is always recommended that emergency circuits be isolated into a sub-panel with its own breakers. An isolated sub-panel will prevent the possibility of the generator becoming overloaded. Thus, the system will respond automatically.

5. Will 200-amp transfer switches be available for 6, 8, 10 and 15 kW units?

No. It is not electrically necessary. The outputs of these units are safely carried with the 100-amp switch.

6. What is the expected life of the engine?

A properly maintained engine should provide over 20 years of operation under emergency standby conditions. Keep in mind that the units are not intended to provide prime power (24 hours a day 365 days a year).

7. Where can I get parts?

Parts can be obtained through any authorized Guardian Dealer. The part numbers are located in the owner's manual.

8. What is the cost of a service/maintenance contract?

The cost will be determined by the installing dealer, based upon what service the customer requires for the system. Further, the cost will vary based on hourly labor rates in different parts of the country.

9. How much oil does the engine crankcase hold?

6 kW - 1.7 qts.   8 and 10 kW - 2.0 qts.   10, 15, 20 and 25 kW - 4.0 qts.   35 and 40 kW - 4.5 qts.

10. What type of oil is recommended?

For the 6, 8 and 10 kW air-cooled units: above 20° F use 10W-30, below 20° F use 5W-20 or 5W-30. After the first oil change, all-season 5W-30 synthetic oil may be used. API Service Class SG, SH or SJ should be used in all cases.

The recommended oil for the liquid-cooled units is 15W-40. All oils should be SAE rated high detergent oil that meets or exceeds API Service Class SF requirements for gasoline engine.

11. Propane tanks are usually rated by pounds. Is there a conversion that can be applied to the fuel consumption numbers?

Yes. For general conversion, propane weighs 4.24 pounds per gallon.

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