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Generac's Biggest Update in Years | NextGen vs Guardian

Generac Doctor

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The Generac NextGen series is here, replacing the long-running Guardian series that many installers and homeowners know well. In this video, I break down the major updates, design changes, and performance improvements in the NextGen models.

⚡ Contractor Note:

Electricians and HVAC contractors interested in the generator industry can reach out about GDC (Generac Doctor Consulting).

📧 generacdoc@gmail.com

Whether you’re a licensed installer looking for training insights or a homeowner considering a new standby generator, this overview will help you understand:
• Key differences between NextGen and Guardian models
• What installers should know before setting one up
• What homeowners can expect in reliability, efficiency, and long-term service
• Practical advice on choosing the right system for your needs

With over 2,800 Generac systems installed, I’ve seen the evolution of these generators firsthand. This video is designed to give both homeowners and professionals clear, useful information without the sales fluff.

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20 Comments

@GeneracDoctor Creator 7 months ago Pinned

⚡ Contractor Note:

Electricians and HVAC contractors interested in the generator industry can reach out about GDC (Generac Doctor Consulting).

📧 generacdoc@gmail.com

@johnprisco974 1 month ago

Great video! We just had one installed next Gen. I've learned a lot from this video thanks.

@moonbounce 10 months ago

Really glad i have the Guardian!

@Deke-SC 7 months ago

Excellent, so nice to see such a detailed video.

@gregoryanselmi8227 1 month ago

I was expecting more about what’s different from a durability and reliability perspective … this video was more of the installers perspective/maintenance perspective.

Good info if I were installing a generator.

@jasontroutman6432 5 months ago

Nice detailed video!

@fisher7691 1 month ago

Thanks for this review. Wish you where in my service area down here in south Louisiana as I would buy my replacement from you. Though I am sour on Generac, I have had Good performance out of my 2013 20kW with the Evolution Controller, reference comments in your other video about the Plastic Float Oil Level Sensor. This new unit looks Much improved over the older units. And I am not so naive to think the other three major brands are far superior. I am going to look at the nexgen 22kW to replace my old unit. You did not say whether this new unit has hydraulic valve lifters or the plastic oil float sensor; so, I will verify those before I buy. Very Much appreciate your videos.

@gregoryanselmi8227 1 month ago

A little disconcerting that anything inside was as loose as those circuit breakers … that unit would be going back to the factory. Something that loose to begin with is only going to get worse over time … you do remember that the generator has a motor that creates vibration … correct?

@retiredperson4054 1 year ago

You definitely know your stuff and are great at explaining what you did! --- I am looking at building a new home soon, and am spec'ing out a UPS (Generac Whole House) the service will be most like a 400Amp service -- We also specified that the Home be a Smart Home (most likely a Leviton Smart Home System) -- My question is -- have you done what Leviton calls for to add their (LWHEM-2) monitoring device to a place on the Transfer Switch? I would like to know how that connects -- Also -- If you may know --- Does the Leviton application perform an automatic load shedding at the time of a power loss -- that remains a bit of a mystery to me>>>?

@electricianron_New_Jersey 1 year ago

Thanks for posting this video. I'm a small time Generac dealer and I do maybe 4-5 Gens a year. I'm excited for the changes, especially the new wiring area. That'll be much easier to get the terminations complete, like the old Nexus models era 2011-2015.

@MaverickFischer 8 months ago

We have a Generac 13 kW unit that came with the house we bought. It just turned 20 according to the notes left behind by the owner. This past summer, I changed the oil, filters, spark plugs, and battery. It's been running fine, but we are looking to replace it within a year a most. So I read some comparisons between the old gen and the new gen, but that didn't really show the whole picture. Seeing you show the differences between the two really helped! Thank you!

@johnf8877 7 months ago

I like my old Guardian. I don’t need all of that fancy stuff that is going to fail.

@RonL-y3v 1 year ago

Many prefer the generator to function every time rather than locks and pins.

@JamesClapp-yc8ce 1 month ago

JUST ANOTHER WAY TO RAISE THE PRICE!

@destinationunknown3809 1 month ago

Great info. I keep debating between one of these and just a portable generator put in a small shed. I think having it ping to cell towers is actually significantly worse. In my area, you can drive for hours without a single bar of signal....so what about those who live in areas with no cell coverage?

@davidschipsi1316 1 year ago

Noticed the engine air intake is in the back panel? Maybe so it is not competing with cooling air. That would make sense.

@skeets6060 1 year ago

SO this is going to work better than the old ones that were hit and miss,

@firemark36 11 months ago

Just installed one of these new 18KW generators last week. Spent 4 hours just trying to get the Field Pro app to set up the generator. Finally found out the controller was never assigned a serial number from the factory and now I have to get an Authorized Dealer to come out to change the controller! Had to go through 3 hours and 5 different tech support agents until they finally connected me to someone who actually new that they have a problem with some of the new units! Terrible Tech Support!

@ealizaso 6 months ago

Removing the wooden pallet is a nightmare! 🤪

@AR308bang 9 months ago

Replacing a 20 year old 7kW I installed 20 years ago with a NexGen 22kW. A little bigger footprint but ok. Used Costco and saved $3465.00 over the local installer pricing and negotiated a 7 year warranty vs 5.