Best for essentials in standby generators
The smaller Generac air-cooled standby: 14 kW on either fuel, certified for the US and Canada, for essential circuits rather than everything at once.
Our score: 8.0/10 out of 10Researched, not lab-tested
- Rated output on propane
- 14 kW
- Rated output on natural gas
- 14 kW
- Noise (maker's rating)
- 65 dB(A)
- Propane use at full load
- 2.92 gal/h
Is it right for you?
Pros
- 14 kW on propane and on natural gas
- Generator certified for use in the US and Canada
- Burns 2.92 gal/h of propane at full load, less than the 22 kW
- Cellular monitoring and five-year limited warranty
Cons
- Too small for many all-electric homes running everything at once
- Needs a licensed installer, gas line, pad and transfer switch
- Generac's bundled 200 A switch is US-only
- Battery not included (12 V AGM, 400 CCA minimum)
- Best for
- Homes on gas or propane heat that want automatic backup for the furnace, fridge, sump pump, well pump and lights, installed by a licensed electrician or Generac dealer.
- Not for
- Homes with electric heat, several air conditioners or a large electric range that all need to run at once.
Our verdict
The 14 kW model is the Generac standby to look at if the goal is essential circuits rather than everything at once. It gives 14 kW on both propane and natural gas from an 817 cc twin, and Generac certifies the generator for the US and Canada. At full load it burns about 2.92 gallons of propane an hour, against 3.71 for the 22 kW, which matters when a propane tank has to last through a multi-day ice storm.
It shares the 22 kW’s cellular monitoring, five-year limited warranty, low-speed weekly exercise at 55 dB(A) and -20 °F test rating, and runs at 65 dB(A) at 23 ft under normal load. A gas-heated home can usually cover the furnace, fridge, sump pump, well pump and lights with it; an all-electric home with electric heat, a range and central air may not. As with any standby, the installation (pad, gas line, transfer switch, battery and licensed installer) is a large part of the job. Generac’s 200 A service-entrance switch bundled with it in the US (G0073230) is US-only; its 100 A service-rated switch is certified for both countries.
Setup and safety
A standby generator is a permanent electrical and gas installation. A licensed electrician fits it with a compliant transfer switch, and a gas fitter runs the gas line. In most places it also needs a permit or a notice to your utility, sometimes before you buy; rules differ by province and state (see the rules by province and state).
Where it goes. Generac lists it for installation as close as 18 in from a structure, away from doors, windows and fresh-air intakes, and only where local codes allow; some permit offices ask for more distance from openings, so check with your municipality. Keep shrubs and grass 3 ft clear of the louvers, and point downspouts, sprinklers and sump discharge away from it. Gas pressure at the inlet must be 3.5 to 7 inches of water column for natural gas or 10 to 12 for propane, with the pipe sized for full load. Generac recommends a cold weather kit where temperatures fall below 32 °F. Keep CO alarms inside the house as well.
Upkeep. It exercises for 5 minutes a week by default. Generac’s manual calls for oil and filter every two years or 200 hours (yearly or 100 hours in very cold or hot use), and air filter and spark plugs every four years or 400 hours; oil capacity with the filter is about 2.5 qt. It needs a 12 V AGM BTX30L battery of at least 400 CCA, not included. Owners in forum threads stress having a local dealer who can service it. See how it compares with the larger Generac 22 kW and the other standby generators we compare.
Specs
Generac 14kW Air-Cooled Home Standby Generator (G0072580, Cellular)
Standby
| Rated output on propane | 14 kW |
|---|---|
| Rated output on natural gas | 14 kW |
| Automatic transfer switch included | No |
| Propane use at full load | 2.92 gal/h |
| Natural gas use at full load | 243 ft³/h |
| Lowest operating temperature | -20 °F |
Noise
| Noise (maker's rating) | 65 dB(A) |
|---|---|
| Noise in weekly exercise | 55 dB(A) |
Other details
| Warranty | 5 years |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Natural gas or propane (standby) |
| Weight | 391 lb |
| Safety listing | UL 2200; certified for the US and Canada (per Generac) |
| App control | Yes |
Maker’s figures, checked 3 Nov 2026.
Generac 14 kW questions
Is 14 kW enough for my house?
For essential circuits in a gas-heated home, often yes; for an all-electric home running everything at once, often no. Ask the installer for a load calculation.
Which transfer switch works in Canada?
Generac says its 100 A service-rated switch is certified for the US and Canada, while the 200 A service-entrance switch in the US bundle (G0073230) is US-only. Your electrician chooses a certified switch that suits your panel and the local rules.
How much fuel does it use?
About 2.92 gallons of propane or 243 cubic feet of natural gas an hour at full load, per Generac’s product page. Size a propane tank for several days of running with your supplier.
How loud is it?
Generac rates it at 65 dB(A) at 23 ft under normal load, and 55 dB(A) during its low-speed Quiet-Test weekly exercise. That is a little quieter than the 22 kW (67 dB(A)). Check your municipality’s noise and setback rules before choosing a spot.