• Engines
• PowerBoost
• Warranty
• Enclosure
• Sound
• App
• KOHLER vs Generac
• FAQs

KOHLER has a Ph.D. in power

KOHLER has built engines in Kohler, Wisconsin for more than 100 years and supplies standby power to hospitals, nuclear power plants and the National Weather Service. Its home generators use KOHLER’s own Command PRO (RCA series) and Series 7000 (RESV series) V-twin engines with hydraulic valve lifters, so there is no routine valve adjustment or break-in period. KOHLER tests these commercial-grade engines for 2,000 hours of continuous operation and extreme conditions.

PowerBoost motor starting

KOHLER’s exclusive PowerBoost technology lets the generator start large motor loads without dropping power to the rest of the house. KOHLER rates the 14RCA to start and run a 5-ton air conditioner and the 12RESV to do the same with up to 5 kW already running. Peak motor-starting capacity is 33 kVA (14RCA), 41 kVA (20RCA) and 39 kVA (26RCA) at 240 V, with digital voltage regulation of plus or minus 1% and total harmonic distortion under 5% to protect electronics.

A premium limited warranty

Every current KOHLER home generator carries a 5-year/2,000-hour limited warranty that covers parts, labor and dealer travel for the full period; 7-year and 10-year extended limited warranties are available. KOHLER notes that its dealers travel up to 200 miles for warranty service. GSHA registers your warranty at start-up and performs warranty repairs as an authorized dealer.

Built to outlast the outage

RCA models use a corrosion-proof aluminum enclosure with tool-less removable panels; RESV models use e-coated, powder-coated steel with a hinged locking roof. All are rodent-resistant, rated for 181 mph winds, and can be installed as close as 18 inches from the house under NFPA guidelines. Cold-weather kits keep them starting through Illinois and Wisconsin winters.

Quiet operation

The 26RCA’s 90-second EcoExercise measures 56 dB(A) at 23 feet, about the level of a conversation, and KOHLER states no air-cooled generator is quieter. Full-speed operation is 67 dB(A) on the 26RCA and 69 dB(A) on the 14RCA and 20RCA. Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly exercise intervals can be set on the controller.

Power in the palm of your hand

The RDC2 controller with the KOHLER Energy Management app is included with every current model. It shows status, voltage and frequency, run hours, maintenance reminders and over 70 diagnostic messages, and manages the RXT transfer switch and load-management devices from one screen. An optional cellular kit keeps it online when your internet is down.

KOHLER vs Generac: an honest comparison

GSHA installs and services both brands, so we have no reason to oversell either. Where KOHLER stands out: it builds its own engines and tests them to commercial standards, its 5-year warranty covers labor and travel as well as parts, its RCA enclosures are aluminum on every model, and its EcoExercise is quieter than a standard weekly test. Where Generac is strong: more model sizes and a larger dealer and parts network, and often a lower installed price for the same kW. Both start automatically within seconds, run on natural gas or propane and offer app monitoring. Our advice is to size the generator correctly first and then compare the two quotes side by side; we will give you both.

Why KOHLER FAQs

Where are KOHLER generators made?

KOHLER says its residential standby generators, including their engines, are designed, engineered and assembled in the USA (Kohler, Wisconsin), with some components from global suppliers.

Is Kohler Generators part of Rehlko?

Yes. Kohler Generators is part of Rehlko (formerly Kohler Energy) since 2024. The products are still KOHLER-branded and backed by the same dealer network and warranty.

KOHLER or Generac: which should I buy?

Both are proven brands and GSHA installs both. KOHLER’s advantages are its own commercial-grade engines, PowerBoost motor starting, a 5-year warranty that covers parts, labor and travel, the quiet 90-second EcoExercise on the 26RCA and an aluminum enclosure on every RCA model. Generac has a larger dealer network and more models. We will quote whichever fits your home and budget.

How long will a KOHLER generator last?

KOHLER tests its home generator engines for 2,000 hours of continuous operation and warrants them for 5 years/2,000 hours. With annual maintenance, home standby generators commonly serve 15 to 20 years or more because they run only during outages and weekly exercise.

Next: see KOHLER models and installed pricing, how installation works, or service for your existing KOHLER.

About GSHA Services, LTD

GSHA Services, LTD is a licensed and insured electrical, heating, cooling, plumbing and generator contractor and an authorized KOHLER generator dealer (listed on KOHLER’s dealer site). Offices: 1257 Cobblestone Way, Suite A, Woodstock, IL 60098 and 11 N Skokie Hwy, Suite G18A, Lake Bluff, IL 60044. Phone (224) 220-3660. Email info@gshaservices.com. We sell, install, service and repair KOHLER home standby generators within about 50 miles of each office, across the northern Chicago suburbs and southeastern Wisconsin. Contact us · All service areas · Financing

Request a free KOHLER generator quote

Send your details below and we will follow up to schedule a free, no-obligation in-home consultation. You can also book online, call (224) 220-3660, or email info@gshaservices.com.