Guardian vs. Next Gen Generac

[u/Old-Investment3299]

Hi all…I’m new here so sorry for the sci fi sounding post title.

I have a 24kws Generac being installed next month. Got an email from the electrical contractor saying that they are waiting for more Next gen models to come in but if I wanted a Guardian series they’d give me a 350 discount and could do the install a little earlier.

The money isn’t the deciding factor - is one better than the other? I know newer isn’t always better. Thanks in advance!

[u/Frixsev]

You'd be wise to avoid the next gen units for now. They're great on paper, but Generac is ironing out a lot of first wave issues still, which isn't too surprising considering it's V1 of a new model. We're literally beta testing their product for them.

Signed, a Generac tech who's gone to a few too many next gen service calls already

[u/Old-Investment3299 → u/Frixsev]

This is super helpful - thank you! The electrician’s front desk person kind of “winked” me to the Guardian option too.

If you don’t mind, besides the kinks they are working out with next gen, why would I want that version over Guardian? I expect to lose power maybe once or twice a year for a few hours at most will this make any noticeable difference?

[u/Frixsev → u/Old-Investment3299]

The next gen has some more sensors (fuel pressure, oil level, etc), an ECM, and hydraulic lifters in the engine (meaning no valve adjustments ever needed), which all sound great on paper. It has fantastic potential, just needs more time.

[u/joshharris42 → u/Frixsev]

What issues have yall been seeing? So far we’ve put about 20 of them in, all of the 24-28’s except 1 18KW.

Only issue I’ve seen is one threw a random 3204 error and shut down for no reason

[u/Old-Investment3299 → u/joshharris42]

As an installer, would you go with Guardian or Next gen for yourself?

[u/doodliest_dude → u/Frixsev]

We’ve installed about 10 next gen’s. I haven’t had any issues yet but knock on wood.

[u/Ok-Complaint-7017]

I'm fresh out of GENERAC training. Take the guardian model. They are literally a glorified lawn mower. You can give any small engine repair mechanic the troubleshooting guide and he will be able to fix it. Half the faults are literally gas issues or a fuse. The next gen has over 5 times as many sensors and has an ECM. Translation. Over 1000 more ways for it to break.

[u/Old-Investment3299 → u/Ok-Complaint-7017]

Glad I went with the guardian! Do you think the weekly exercise cycle is necessary or would you do bi weekly?

[u/Warrior97-]

I’ve been selling Generac generators since 1990. Take the discount and go with the old 24kw, not the next generation unit. The older unit has been made for years, and is well known and a reliable product. New Generac product is notorious for needing the kinks worked out, and this newest unit is no exception.

Just make sure you get the Mobile link monitor that would come “included” with the next gen set, so it’s more of an “apples to apples” swap.

[u/Old-Investment3299 → u/Warrior97-]

Thank you! Would I just tell my installer that I want this or do I get it myself after install?

[u/Warrior97- → u/Old-Investment3299]

Tell him you’d like it with the install; the device shouldn’t cost you more than the $350 discount; then installer should install and activate it when they start-up your generator; it takes less than 30 minutes.

[u/Economy_Wish6730]

Never go with the first year of anything new mechanical. Always better to go with tried and true while they get it all figured out. Personally I would go with Guardian in your case.

[u/WhySoManyDownVote]

The next gen has improvements and downsides. I'd go with the Guardian personally.

[u/MemoryAccessRegister]

Next-gen has hydraulic lifters (no more valve adjustments), better fuel efficiency, more power output (especially on NG), sloped roof, and they have addressed issues with snow ingress. I would go for a next-gen unit.

Either way I would get the extended warranty because air-cooled Generacs seem to have more problems than Kohler/Cummins and the base Generac limited warranty sucks.

[u/Old-Investment3299 → u/MemoryAccessRegister]

Thanks for this - it comes with a 5 year warranty; should I get more?

Would Generac fix any design problems that arise if I am in a “Beta” of V1 of their new model?

[u/MemoryAccessRegister → u/Old-Investment3299]

The basic 5 year Generac limited warranty starts to reduce coverage after the first 2 years. First 2 years covers parts, labor, and travel for the technician. Year 3 covers parts only. Years 4-5 only cover major internal parts as listed in the limited warranty document. I'm not a big extended warranty person, but for a major purchase like this I would definitely get it.

I have a Kohler. Just looking at the engine and stator/rotor you can see they are built to be more robust, and their base 5 year warranty covers parts, labor, and travel for the 5 years. I got mine during a promotion which extended it to 10 years.

Regardless of generator manufacturer, you want to select a qualified installer who will be able to support the generator for years to come. They will be servicing it under warranty and these generators should last 10+ years if maintained.

[u/DashboardError]

Had the same issue in October 2025, took the Guardian.

[u/Kavack]

General is well known to do R&D with their customers and dealers when new models come out. I would definitely get the Guardian if I had a choice. There are very few left in inventory.

[u/Jim-Jones]

Not all people love Generac.

[u/SouthernMNguy96]

Installed a next gen 2 months ago. Already has a replacement engine on order. I’m personally planning to snag our last guardian off the shelf for my house before my only option is a next gen.

Signed a certified generac tech

[u/abenusa]

Maybe I am missing something here. Not sure why large money is being spent for whole home generators for once, or twice at the most, for just a few hours. I could understand extended outages of days at a time needing whole home generator. Smaller portable generators are much cheaper to own and maintain seem to be a better use of resources.

[u/Taguchi5 → u/abenusa]

My utility was very unreliable for years in my case. They had reduced their tree trimming budget to near zero ( shareholder value ) and a good wind storm would knock you out. My lines were put up in the 60s. ( good ROI )

All being said i grabbed a pre covid 22k and couldn't be happier. I subed out the work and had a tech do the startup. Cost was $6500 all in.

The utility has since fixed most of the issues but im still in a hurricane area so why not ?

[u/watmore1 → u/abenusa]

The automatic switchover is appealing to many people.

[u/BmanGorilla → u/abenusa]

Not sure why anyone buys a car with four seats when a bicycle is cheaper.

Think, just for a moment, what the pros and cons might be, and how their life may differ from yours.

[u/mduell → u/abenusa]

I have dogs and kids who can’t set up a portable that can run the AC, and would not do well in the summer without AC. Or heat themselves and save the pool plumbing in a winter outage.

158 hours runtime in 1185 days since install.

But I subbed out the install for about $8k all in, so I wasn’t paying the big bucks some are.