Equipment & sizing
Which backup generator fits your home?
There is no single correct generator — only the right match for your loads, your fuel supply and your property. Below are the three configurations that cover almost every residential project in the region, along with what each realistically powers. For the wider picture on how standby power works, start with our Vancouver generator overview.
Essential circuits
8 – 12 kWBest for: Smaller homes, townhomes, budget-first projects
Typically covers: Furnace or boiler, fridge and freezer, sump or well pump, internet and networking, key lighting and select outlets.
The lowest-cost route to a safe home during an outage. Runs from a dedicated subpanel so priority loads are guaranteed.
Whole-home (air-cooled)
14 – 26 kWBest for: Most single-family homes across Metro Vancouver
Typically covers: The entire panel: heating and cooling, hot water, kitchen, laundry, pumps, garage and EV charging with load management.
The most common configuration. Load-management modules let a smaller unit cover a full house without nuisance shutdowns.
Liquid-cooled whole-home
30 – 60 kWBest for: Large hillside and estate properties, all-electric homes
Typically covers: Multi-zone HVAC, elevators, booster and irrigation pumps, pools, shops, multiple EV chargers and suites.
Required when simultaneous demand or motor starting current exceeds what an air-cooled engine can absorb.
Canadian lineup
Generac home standby models sold in Canada
We size and install Generac residential standby systems — CSA-certified for the Canadian market and running on natural gas or propane. Ratings below are manufacturer figures (propane / natural gas); final model selection comes from your load calculation.
| Series | Model | Output (LP / NG) | Typical fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guardian (air-cooled) | 10 kW | 10 kW / 9 kW | Essential circuits, townhomes |
| Guardian (air-cooled) | 14 kW | 14 kW / 13 kW | Essentials plus, smaller homes |
| Guardian (air-cooled) | 18 kW | 18 kW / 17 kW | Whole-home, gas heat |
| Guardian (air-cooled) | 22 kW | 22 kW / 19.5 kW | Most single-family homes |
| Guardian (air-cooled) | 24 kW | 24 kW / 21 kW | Larger homes, heat pumps |
| Guardian (air-cooled) | 26 kW | 26 kW / 22.5 kW | Largest air-cooled option |
| Protector QS (liquid-cooled) | 32 – 60 kW | 32, 38, 48, 60 kW | Estates, all-electric homes, heavy motor loads |
Automatic transfer switch
Service-rated 100 A or 200 A automatic transfer switches for whole-home coverage, or load-centre switches for essential circuits.
Load management modules
Smart load management sheds large loads (EV charger, A/C, hot water) so a smaller unit can safely run the whole house.
Mobile Link remote monitoring
Wi-Fi monitoring shows status, exercise cycles and maintenance alerts on your phone — useful for cabins and travel.
PWRcell battery storage
Battery backup that pairs with solar or complements a standby generator for silent, short-duration outages.
Availability, ratings and warranty terms can change — we confirm current Canadian specifications with every quote.
Air-cooled or liquid-cooled?
Air-cooled engines use forced air over the cylinders and cover the majority of residential applications up to roughly 26 kW. They are more compact, less expensive and simpler to maintain. Liquid-cooled engines use a radiator and coolant loop, tolerate sustained heavy load far better, and are the correct choice above about 30 kW or where motor starting current is unusually high. Liquid-cooled units are larger, need more clearance, and carry a coolant service item in the maintenance schedule.
Transfer switches
The transfer switch is the difference between a generator and a backup power system. A service-rated automatic transfer switch sits between the meter and the panel and backs up everything downstream. An essential-loads switch feeds a dedicated subpanel. A manual transfer switch or interlock is the minimum safe way to connect a portable unit — it prevents back-feeding a utility line, which is a serious hazard to line crews.
What to expect on installed cost
For a typical Metro Vancouver home, fully installed air-cooled whole-home systems generally fall in the $12,000 to $22,000 range including equipment, transfer switch, pad, gas line, electrical labour, permits and commissioning. Essential-circuits systems start lower; liquid-cooled projects run higher. The variables that move a quote most are the distance from the gas meter and electrical panel, whether the service needs upgrading, and site access for the pad.
Portable generators: honest limitations
A portable unit is better than nothing and much cheaper, but the trade-offs are real. Someone has to be home to deploy it, it needs fuel during the storm, it must be operated well away from doors, windows and vents because of carbon monoxide, and it can never be plugged into a wall outlet. If a portable is the right budget fit, have a professional install an interlock or manual transfer switch and a proper inlet so it can be used safely.
Next step
Sizing is decided by a load calculation, not a catalogue. Book a free assessment and you'll get the recommended kilowatt rating, fuel plan and installed price for your address. You can also compare local conditions on our service area pages.