What You Need to Know About Installing a Home Generator

Apr 18, 2024

It’s as easy as one, two, three.

Thinking of installing a home generator, but unsure about how exactly to connect it to your home? We get it: There’s a lot that goes into finding and setting one of these babies up, and you want to make certain you’re getting it right. After all, burst pipes are no fun.

We spoke to Philip Olsen, lead generator tech at Pipeworks Services, a home-maintenance service company in Chatham, NJ, about the considerations to buying and placing a generator. He shared three steps to take when adding one to your home. Now all you’ll need to worry about is what you’re going to stream when you’re snowed in all week.

In a home standby generator, a natural-gas- or liquid-propane (LP)-fueled motor uses mechanical energy to produce electricity. Most generators require five feet or more from the house to prevent carbon-monoxide buildup and mitigate fire risk, but certain Kohler models can be installed within as little as an 18-inch distance. Just check the instructions of the generator you're buying to make sure you have the appropriate measurements.

Then there’s the amount of power you need. For many, a 20 kW standby generator has the right level of performance to maintain modern comforts. But if you have a larger home or tons of appliances, there are options that go all the way up to 150 kW as well.

And if you know you need a generator, don’t wait too long to get it. According to Olsen, the time to look is when it’s least likely you’ll need backup power, because extreme weather and power outages always send sales and installation requests skyrocketing. You don’t want to be caught waiting on a new shipment or a service appointment when the mercury’s moving and clouds are rolling in, so set yourself a reminder during mild-weather months.

In terms of what kind to look for, Olsen says most people prefer a standby generator that hooks up to their home’s natural gas line, which provides uninterrupted power as long as that line is operational. If your home doesn’t have natural-gas service, all KOHLER standby generators, including the KOHLER 20 kW, can also run on liquid propane.

Standby generators use an automatic transfer switch (ATS) to detect whenever the electric-grid feed is interrupted. It then turns on the generator safely, only making it the home’s power source when it’s at speed to accept the electrical load. Top-notch generators like Kohler’s provide excellent voltage and frequency regulation to ease this transition and maintain operation without damaging your home’s circuitry. There are also a variety of switch options to suit any power draw (depending on generator size and load circuit), and you can purchase your choice of an indoor or outdoor switch to enhance your experience with the KOHLER 20 kW.

The professionals configuring your setup will handle any required permits. They’ll also help you select the location for your generator: Some localities require a concrete pad for it to sit on, while others allow generators to sit directly on a bed of gravel or pea gravel, so your installer will want to find out which protocol yours falls under. They will also make sure the placement of the generator optimal to meet safety and personal requirements.

“I’ve encountered quite a few customers who are unaware of the maintenance needed for their new generator,” warns Olsen. “It was overlooked during the proposals, or sometimes just not even thought of.”

So know what you’re in for: Your generator’s service manual will tell you how to care for it, and how often. In the case of Kohler’s models, automated weekly exercise runs will keep the main components in top shape without requiring any major intervention on your part. (The KOHLER 20 kW also comes standard with a premium five-year, 2,000-hour protection warranty.)

Olsen recommends a heavier, longer test run twice a year to help extend the life of the equipment. You should also check the main fuel tank’s supply level once a week if you’re using the propane option, and every four weeks note the battery status and charge rate (especially after cold winters), since most generator manufacturers say you should replace it as soon as it falls under 80 percent. By Olsen’s estimate, you’ll need a new one about every five years, give or take.

Care for the engine (basically, replacing the oil and checking on the filters) should be done based on run time according to the product manual, but at a minimum once annually. If you know your way around an engine, you can probably handle this yourself with an affordable maintenance kit. There’s nothing wrong with hiring a pro, however, who can catch symptoms you might miss. Because even if you’re lucky enough not to need your generator often, you’ll want it working immediately when you do.

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