We’re here  to answer all your questions.

Get to know the ins and outs of your home standby generator.

Standby Generator FAQs

  • A home standby generator is a backup power source that operates whether you are home or away.
  • Within seconds of sensing an outage the generator will automatically kick on and supply power to your home.

image a generac generator connected to a house

  • After utility power returns, the generator shuts itself off and waits for the next outage.
  • It operates on natural gas or liquid propane gas and sits outside just like a central air conditioning unit.
  • Refueling Not Necessary- Your Generac home backup generator runs on your existing natural gas or LP fuel supply.

The backup generator is designed as a backup to utility power only and should not be used as a primary power source.

There are many factors that impact the generator sizing and power needs for your home. An authorized Generac dealer can best determine which home standby generator will be best for your home, and you can request a free quote, which includes sizing options and price.

The generators average between 65 to 67 decibels depending on the model. This is a similar sound level as a central air conditioning unit.

Our Generac home standby generators are designed to run on one fuel source, either natural gas or liquid propane. 

Generac’s generators are considered CARB compliant and able to be installed in areas with strict emissions requirements. Your local dealer will determine which generator is best for your needs. Additional details on Generac’s environmental impact can be found at generac.com .

Our home standby generators are assembled Wisconsin, USA, using both foreign and domestic parts.

Purchase & Installation

Renter/non-homeowner:
Our home backup generators are a permanent installation and requires the property owner to schedule and approve any type of modification to their property.

Apartment/Multi-Family/Mobile Home
Our home backup generators are a permanent installation, designed for a single use property.

Other:
Any motor vehicle, trailer, RV or transportable property would not be able to utilize the Home Backup Generators, as they are a permanent installation designed to be installed on the ground.

Generac offers systems prepackaged and pre-wired with comprehensive installation instructions. You could perform the simpler site preparation steps and have a professional make the electrical panel and fuel connections, or you could complete the entire installation yourself. 

For safety reasons and to ensure adherence to all local, state and national electrical codes, particularly for non pre-wired or larger systems, Generac recommends you use an authorized Generac dealer or licensed contractor.  

  • Most Generac customers purchase through an authorized dealer, who will offer you a free no-obligation quote. 
  • If you are not interested in scheduling a free quote with one of our authorized dealers, you can visit generac.com to locate local retailers in your area.

To qualify for the 5-year warranty, all you need to do is schedule a free quote with our local dealer, complete the purchase, and install with that dealer. After installation and activation of your generator, the 5-year warranty will be applied within 8 weeks.

The exact generator dimensions and clearance requirements can be found in the installation guide. All installation guides can be found on generac.com.

Generac continues to manufacture new units daily and built a new facility in South Carolina to support the increased demand. While we continue to increase our production, our dealer partners manage their own inventory.

Our home backup generators start at just over $2,000. Pricing of each of our generators are listed on our website.

Keep in mind that the cost of installation is determined by the dealer and will vary based on several factors. This is why Generac offers a free, no-obligation quote.

Yes, many of our dealers offer financing. If interested, make sure to schedule your appointment with a dealer who offers financing in your area. Click here to learn more about financing.

The generator would be installed outside of your home, typically close to your fuel source (propane tank or natural gas meter). As a part of the free quote that we offer, our Generac Dealer will also do a site survey to help determine the best location for the generator.

When selecting a site, always follow the guidelines in the Site Selection and Preparation section of your unit’s installation manual.

Warranty & Maintenance

  • All generators require periodic maintenance, such as oil and filter changes to ensure maximum performance and years of reliable service.
  • Scheduled maintenance kits are available and many Generac authorized dealers offer annual maintenance contracts for a worry-free ownership experience.
  • We recommend you have your unit serviced every 6 months by an authorized independent service dealer. Refer to the owner’s manual for routine maintenance procedures and schedules.
  • You can find a digital copy of your owner’s manual here

The Wi-Fi network connection is part of the generator’s settings and controller. If you don’t want to connect it to a home network, or avoid connecting to Wi-Fi, you can simply choose not to use that feature and connection.

  • Any Authorized Generac dealer can perform warranty service. To find your local authorized Generac dealer, visit generac.com Dealer Locator for additional information.
  • Our Authorized Service Centers provide parts, service, and information on Generac equipment, regardless of where it was purchased.
  • Our Authorized Service Centers are staffed with trained technicians certified in supporting all aspects of the Generac automatic standby generator line.
  • Generac Customer Support team is also available, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
  • 1-888-436-3722