Kohler Vs. Generac: Which Standby Generator Is For You?
Selecting the perfect home standby generator is crucial when meeting your home's power needs. Today, we're going to look at Kohler vs. Generac. These are two powerful brands in the generator world, and we want you to make the right choice.
The best part about Kohler generators and Generac generators is that they are both excellent products. So, it's not really about choosing the better generator brand. It's more about choosing the standby generators that best suit your needs.
Let's begin.
What Is A Standby Generator?
Before we dive into Kohler vs. Generac, let's first understand what a stand generator is. A standby generator offers you an automatic and permanent backup solution when there's a power outage.
Whether you want a good generator for your home or for commercial purposes, you can be sure that you will be getting a good deal with Kohler generators and Generac generators.
Remember that if you're planning to get one of these standby generators for your home or facility, you'll need a concrete pad to act as a foundation.
Now, let's look at Kohler generators and Generac generators. First, we'll start with Kohler generators.
A). Kohler Generators
- 20,000-watt air-cooled generator automatically starts up when the power goes out
- Includes 100 amp 16-circuit automatic transfer switch
- Fast response--power to your home in 10 seconds; premium power quality; quiet...
- 100% corrosion-proof enclosure offers protection from even the harshest seaside...
- Measures 48 by 26.2 by 29 inches; 5-year/2000-hour limited warranty, Battery...
Kohler is a renowned brand that's been producing amazing engines, generators, and UPS products for over a century now. This means that you can be sure that the innovators in the brand know what they're doing. Kohler generators are used globally thanks to their fantastic features, which we'll look at in a minute.
In addition to being durable and reliable, Kohler generators are long-lasting. Kohler generators undergo rigorous quality testing before they are released into the market during design and after production.
So, why should you get yourself one of these reliable generators? Let's look at some features below.
Kohler Generators Features
1. Reliability
The one thing you want in stand generators and even portable generators is reliability. You want to be able to get power when you need it. Each Kohler generator comes with a heavy-duty and commercial-grade engine that can withstand any weather.
Therefore, if you live or stay in an area that experiences extreme weather conditions, you know that you can count on these standby generators.
Thanks to the hundreds of tests that these generators undergo during their designs and production, these standby generators can withstand a lot.
Another reason why you can trust this generator is that it automatically runs diagnostic tests for 20 minutes every week to ensure that everything is in order. This means that it will always be ready when you need it.
2. Good Warranty
You get a 5-year, 2,000-hour premium warranty with this purchase. In addition to this warranty, you also get a corrosion-proof enclosure that will serve you for a long time.
3. Powerful Engine
The Kohler generator comes with a commercial-grade engine that can withstand even the most extreme workloads.
The PowerBoost Technology ensures that this generator can handle large starting loads. Some examples of these starting loads include your central air conditioner.
The Kohler generator can handle such a load without dropping power to your other appliances.
4. Ease of Use
Ease of use is definitely a must when choosing a good generator. You want to be able to install it and access it when need be easily. A Kohler generator purchase comes with concrete mounting pads to smooth the installation process and reduce installation costs.
The OnCue Generator Management System allows you to manage your Kohler generator comfortably, view real-time power operation, receive updates via email or texts, and more. You will have access to your Kohler generator through your smartphone, computer, or tablet.
5. Quiet Operation
The Kohler operation offers you a neighborhood-friendly operation with sound levels resembling that of an air conditioner's.
Therefore, you can enjoy quiet operations no matter how long the generator runs.
B). Generac Generators
- Remote Monitoring Anywhere: With the Mobile Link Wi-Fi connectivity,...
- Whole House Protection: Enjoy comprehensive coverage with Generac's 200-amp NEMA...
- Long-Term Assurance: Count on lasting performance and reliability with our...
- High-Quality, Consistent 22kW Power: With our advanced True Power Technology,...
- Crafted for Excellence: Proudly engineered and assembled in the USA, our...
Generac is another brand that has been around since 1959 and has accumulated vast experience and expertise in manufacturing generators. The brand has a cool and good reputation for producing high-quality portable generators, residential generators, and commercial and industrial generators.
Known for its reliable home backup generators, Generac provides you with high-quality and affordable generators.
Let's look at some outstanding features.
Generac Generators Features
1. Smooth Operation
The Generac generator comes with less than 5% total harmonic distortion. What this means is that as you're using this generator, your appliances will run as smoothly as possible.
If you have any sensitive appliances or electronics in your home, they will be protected from overloading and overheating.
2. Durability
The Generac generator comes with a RhinoCoat powder finish, protecting the generator from weather elements. This means that you'll have a powerful and corrosion-resistant generator on your hands.
3. Ease of Use
Generac generators come with the Generac’s Evolution Controller, complete with a multi-lingual LCD display. This allows you to monitor your generator's battery and other features.
You will also get access to 24/7 customer service from the brand's headquarters in Wisconsin.
4. Reliable Engine
The Generac generator comes with a durable G-Force Engine and gives you a reliable backup plan to handle any power outages. In addition, this pressure-lubricated engine requires less maintenance than many other engines in the market.
Thanks to the Quiet-Test Self-Test Mode that this Generac generator features, you will enjoy a quiet operation with this option.
Now that you have a better or good idea of what both of these standby generators offer let's look at Kohler vs. Generac. First, we'll compare these standby generators so that you can make the best choice.
Kohler Vs. Generac Generators
Let's look at some key differentiators when it comes to Kohler vs. Generac generators.
1. Type of Engine
Kohler generators have engines that run on gasoline alone while Generac generators can run on either gasoline or LP fuel.
Both Kohler and Generac generators have powerful and reliable engines that will serve you well when you need backup power. However, for Kohler generators, you'll have to use a conversion kit if you want the engine to run on other fuels.
For example, with the Tri-Fuel conversion kit, your Kohler engine can run on gasoline, propane, and LP fuels. Therefore, keep this information in mind as you decide between the Kohler generator and the Generac generator.
The good thing with both Kohler and Generac generators is that they come with permanently-installed home backup generator lines. These lines connect to your home's natural gas or LP line so that you don't have to refuel.
The advantage of this is that you won't have to run around looking for fuel during power outages. You can stay confident that the backup power generator will come on whether it's using natural gas or gasoline.
2. Warranty
The Kohler standby generator comes with a 5-year warranty or a 2,000-hour warranty. The Kohler portable generator comes with a 3-year warranty.
On the other hand, the Generac standby generator comes with a 3-year warranty. The Generac portable generator comes with a 2-year warranty.
3. Housing
The enclosure that your generator comes in is a crucial factor. The Kohler generators manufactured to be more affordable and lower-priced have powder-coated steel or aluminum enclosures.
The mid-range generators have more corrosion-resistant and composite housings.
For the Generac generator, you'll find that the lower-priced option comes with powder-coated steel housing. The rest of the Generac generator line has a powder-coated aluminum housing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kohler vs. Generac
1. What's the main difference between a portable generator and a standby generator?
There's a key difference between a portable and a standby generator.
A portable generator provides your home with an immediate and temporary solution to a power outage. On the other hand, a standby generator offers you an automatic and permanent solution to your power outage.
The standby generator comes on automatically when the power cuts off. Standby generators can be powered by liquid propane or natural gas.
2. How do standby generators work?
Most standby options are often paired with an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) that prompts the generator to kick in when there's a power outage. This usually happens within seconds of the usual power supply being cut off.
So, how does the ATS work? First, the ATS disconnects your home or facility from the main utility grid you normally use when the power outage occurs. Once your home has been safely cut off from the power grid, the ATS prompts your generator to start.
Your Kohler home generator or Generac generator then generates power to your home's electric panel. So, what happens when the electric power comes back on, and you no longer need the backup power source? Well, the ATS prompts your generator to shut down and reconnects your home or facility to the normal power grid.
The good thing with having a backup unit that has the ATS feature is that it has a safety feature that prevents any back-feeding of electricity to the normal grid. This means that you don't have to worry about fires, injuries, or even death caused by your generator.
You can get to enjoy clean and stable power even when your usual power supply isn't available, thanks to these amazing generators. Another thing about how these generators work is that you can either power them using an external fuel supply or connect them to your home's fuel line.
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