How do I start up the generator in an outage?
The Kohler Whole-Home generators that we install are all automatic. In the event of a power failure, the generator turns on by itself. Within 10 seconds you’ll have power fully restored to the entire home. There’s nothing for the homeowner to do – just sit back and enjoy your air conditioning! It turns off by itself too.
How long will it power my home during an outage?
Simply put, your generator will power your home as long as it has fuel. A liquid propane tank will eventually run out of fuel, whereas natural gas will continue to run the generator unless the utility is shut off. Both liquid-cooled and air-cooled generators can run continuously in the event of an extended outage. It’s recommended to still check the oil levels periodically to make sure it’s running smoothly while it’s powering your home. Air-cooled generators have a runtime of 8-24 hours whereafter the generator should be shut down for 20-30 minutes to rest before starting up again. Again, this is a good time to check the oil levels. For more info about manually powering off your generator, check out Kohler’s FAQ or give your local generator installer a call.
Does a whole-home generator use gas all year long?
Yes, but not much. Once a week your generator will perform a 15-minute exercise which uses a very small amount of gas.
Should I shut my generator off when I’m out of town?
If you have an air-cooled generator, we do recommend switching it to the off position if you’re going to be out of town for an extended period and don’t have someone able to monitor it in the event of an extended outage. A liquid-cooled generator on the other hand can be left on “auto” while you’re away. The Kohler OnCue Remote Monitoring app is a great option for checking up on your generator while you’re away from home. It will give you notifications in real time when the generator is running or experiencing errors.
How do I know what size generator I need for my home?
At the time of your estimate, our electricians will do a whole home load calculation. This calculation determines what size generator your home needs to run.
Is a whole home generator loud?
Kohler’s liquid-cooled models sound similar to a car in idle which comes in at around 60-70 decibels. Air-cooled models tend to be just a little bit louder at around 80 decibels, comparable to a lawn mower running in the distance.
When does a generator come in handy?
Here in Florida there are a number of reasons a homeowner might want a generator. Utility provider outages, lightning storms, and hurricanes are at the top of the list.
How long will my generator last?
You can probably expect your Kohler generator to last 15+ years. But, if you ask our electricians, they’ll tell you they’ve seen well-maintained generators working just fine at 30+ years old.
What can I do to extend the life of my generator?
Proper maintenance is the key to extending the life of your generator. Kohler recommends having your generator maintenance done every 1 year or 150 hours of runtime. For some customers, especially those in harsh climates like Florida, we’ll perform maintenance twice per year.
Any final advice?
We pretty much covered it! We’re always just a phone call away, so if you have any questions feel free to call us.
Air & Energy is a family-owned and operated company providing air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, and generator services to residents in Manatee County, FL for over 39 years.
(941) 778-0773 | Schedule an Appointment
