Products > Kohler Power Systems > Residential Power

Features
Why buy a Kohler residential standby generator?
What is backup power?
Installation options
Beginner's guide to home standby selection and care
Product demo - 14RES
Product demo - 20RES
Specifications

Related pages
Planned maintenance program
All Kohler generator sets

Features

A commercial-grade KOHLER® automatic residential generator provides dependable protection during unexpected power outages. Available with 8.5 to 100kW output capabilities, KOHLER® residential generators provide worry-free emergency power to support your electrical needs for days, or even weeks.

Automatic, hands-off operation
In the event of a utility power outage, power is automatically restored to your home or business in seconds—even if you are not there.

Clean digital power
KOHLER® generators feature the industry's most technologically advanced digital power, delivering worry-free protection for the most sophisticated home electronics.

Quiet
A sleek weather-resistant sound enclosure keeps operating noise under 65 dB(A)—quieter than a typical vacuum cleaner.

KOHLER® residential/small business generator sets are a fully automatic backup power solution. Within seconds of a utility power outage, the automatic transfer switch—working in tandem with the generator—starts the generator set to restore power to lights, refrigerators, freezers, heating and air conditioning, and security systems.

Why buy a Kohler residential standby generator?

Critical loads
For homes with “must have” electrical loads such as well pumps, medical apparatus, security systems, sump pumps, fire suppression systems or communications requirements; a residential standby system allows ongoing operation of these essential loads.

“Lifestyle” loads
Many newer homes rely extensively on electronics, computer systems and electrically powered devices. A power outage may make it impossible to operate heat pumps, furnaces, garage doors and telephones as well as refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners.

“Home-business” needs
The home may be the owners’ place of business. A power outage is a business, as well as a domestic disruption. By coupling a standby generator set with a “U.P.S.” (uninterrupted power system), computer data can be safely preserved and business operations can be carried on as usual from the home-office.

Rural or isolated sites
Sometimes the residence or small business is located in an area where power outages may be several hours or even days in duration. The effects of a power outage can be serious. Frozen foods will spoil, pumps do not work - heat, light and communications are unavailable. A residential standby set permits full or partial use of electrical loads, depending on the size of the generator set selected.

Peace of mind during absences
Power outages may occur when no one is available to care for the premises. Security, heating, pumping and fire systems may not function. The home is vulnerable. Reliable and fully automatic standby power systems offer peace of mind to the absent owner.

What is backup power?

A standby generator is permanently installed outdoors, much like an air-conditioning unit. The generator operates on your home's existing fuel source - whether that's natural gas or liquid propane (LP). (Diesel powered generator sets are also available.) The KOHLER standby power system includes the generator, automatic transfer switch, battery charger and distribution panel.

The automatic transfer switch continually monitors the utility power for any interruptions. When utility power fails, the transfer switch automatically starts the generator, transfers the electrical loads and restores power to your home. When utility power returns to a steady state, the transfer switch reverses the process, shuts down the generator and continues monitoring... again, automatically, whether you're home or away.

KOHLER generators are also programmed to perform an automatic weekly maintenance test to ensure they are in proper operating order and ready to provide power during an outage.

Installation options

Your KOHLER residential backup generator system can be sized and wired for your home to power essential loads during an electrical outage, or to power the entire house.

Essential loads power distribution
An essential loads configuration supplies electrical power only to those devices you've pre-selected to receive power during a utility outage or power interruption. These devices are wired through a secondary, or essential loads, distribution panel. This allows a smaller generator to be used. For example, you might decide that your essential loads are your heating system, telephones, lighting, sump pump, refrigerators and freezers, security system and garage door opener.

Whole house configuration
A whole house configuration simply routes power through your existing main power distribution panel, ensuring power delivery to every electrical system and convenience in your house.

Beginner's guide to home standby selection and care

Many questions need to be asked when making a purchase decision and a long-term commitment to your home standby emergency generator.

Application
The first and most common question is, what do I intend on using the power for? Strictly emergency? Life safety issues? Or will it be used in a off-grid situation?

Fuel
Second, what fuel types are available? What are their benefits as well as detriments?

The most common fuel for home standby generators is natural gas, if available.
Second most common is vapour propane. This is more common in remote areas and islands.
Third choice is diesel. Diesel is the best choice in remote areas due to its wide availability and ease of access and transport. A separate storage tank will be required.

Maintenance
Once you have decided on the application and fuel, be aware that the system will require periodic maintenance. Depending on your level of expertise the smaller residential units require some basic service work which can be performed with relative ease, such as oil, oil filter and air cleaner replacement. More intrusive maintenance/repairs should be done by your servicing company and adhere to Kohler's warranty recommendations.
Frontier's Planned Maintenance Program is available in many areas.

With proper selection and basic maintenance your emergency system will function when needed and provide you with the safety and reliability you need.

Specifications

KOHLER offers a wide variety of generator sets and options. Frontier's power professionals can help you choose the right size for your home and lifestyle. Please call us today.

Residential generator specifications

Transfer switch specifications

For diesel powered home backup generator sets, see Industrial/commerical power systems

Remote monitoring

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