Kohler and Generac are two of the best generator brands and we often get questions from prospective buyers who want to know which of them is better than the other. So, we decided to compare them with their highest-selling generator models. In all categories of generators, 20KW generators sell faster than other categories.
So, we have decided to compare Kohler 20KW with Generac 20KW. We compared them with the most important factors that buyers look for in a generator.
We compared the two models using their weights, warranty, remote monitoring, rate of fuel consumption, power output, noise level, ease of maintenance, fuel type, diagnostic test, availability of parts, and durability. Before the comparison, we gave a little information about each of the generators.
Kohler 20RES – 20kW Home Standby Generator:
This generator will give you an output of 20KW. This is enough to power your whole home. You’ll also love the fact that it comes with a 2-year limited warranty. According to some of its users, the warranty only covers parts of the generator. It does not cover the cost of labor.
That means if the fault of your generator is covered by the warranty, you won’t pay for the replaced parts, but you’ll pay the technician that will fix it.
To maintain its condition, this generator does a weekly diagnostic check. And each checking session runs for up to 20 minutes.
If you don’t put on your generator regularly, this weekly self-check will make sure the generator remains in perfect condition. Also, its noise level isn’t bad. By virtue of its material, this generator can withstand all weather conditions.
This model of Kohler generator weighs 525 pounds. Kohler has great after-sale support. It runs on both liquified propane and natural gas. It’s left for you to pick the one that suits you and stick with it.
Generac 20kW Standby Generator:
What will attract you to this generator first is its visual appeal. It is smooths and sleek. You can’t possibly catch a glimpse of it and not take another look.
Like the generator above, this one also runs on propane and natural gas. It starts automatically. All Generac generators, including the one in the review, have been certified by UL, CUL, and EPA.
The generator comes with a 5-year limited warranty. As its name implies, this generator generates 20KW. And it weighs 515 pounds. It is rugged, tough, and durable.
In fact, it is the toughest generator among Generac’s products. Its noise level is commendable. A noise level of 59.5dBA is a winner always. We also found its rate of fuel consumption very low.
11 Major Differences Between Kohler 20kW Generator and Generac 20kW:
1. Weight
Kohler 20KW weighs a little more than Generac 20KW. The former weighs 525 pounds while the latter weighs 10 pounds less (515 pounds).
Since a standby generator is meant to be stationed on a particular spot, weighing less does not make Generac 20KW a better choice than Kohler 20KW.
2. Warranty
Generac 20KW is the clear winner here. It offers a 5-year limited warranty, while the Kohler 20KW generator comes with a 2-year limited warranty.
Of course, a 2-year warranty is a good deal too. It’s just not as good as a 5-year warranty. And both warranties only cover the replacement of parts. You’ll bear the cost of labor.
Here is a note of warning. Never hire an unqualified technician to install or fix your generator. It’s the easiest and fastest way to get your warranty voided.
You can’t hide it. Once an incompetent technician tampers with your generator, highly experienced engineers will find out. You don’t want to lose the warranty on your generator.
3. Remote Monitoring
This is another feature that puts the Generac 20KW ahead of Kohler 20KW. Once you install Generac’s mobile app, you’ll be able to monitor the status and performance of your Generac generator wherever you are. Kohler does not offer this feature. So, we’ll give this one to Generac again.
4. Rate of Fuel Consumption
We all love generators that conserve fuel because they save us a few bucks. Generally, all modern generators conserve fuel. Nevertheless, some of them conserve fuel more than others. Kohler and Generac are some of the most conservative brands of generators.
We can only tell you that both Kohler 20KW and Generac 20KW generators conserve fuel, but we can’t determine which of them conserves fuel more than the other. So, it is safer to call it a draw.
5. Power Output
This is another draw. From their names, you’ll realize that both of them generate 20 kilowatts (20,000 watts). This one requires little or no explanation. It’s a clear draw.
6. Noise Level
The two models of generators make low noise. This is one of the reasons why they are among the highest-selling generators.
The noise level of Generac 20KW is 59.5 dBA and Kohler 20KW has about the same noise level. If a low noise level is a top priority for you, then both of them are good buys.
7. Ease of Maintenance
The two models of generators are tough and rugged. They hardly develop a fault. All you need to maintain both of them is the cost of engine oil.
This is because you’ll need to change their engine oil regularly. Apart from that, there’s no other maintenance cost. You can easily maintain both Generac 20KW and Kohler 20KW.
8. Fuel Type
We have said it time and time again that the best fuel to use is liquid propane and natural gas. Do you want to know why? These two types of fuel give fewer fumes, unlike gasoline and diesel.
Thankfully, both generators run on either propane or natural gas. Pick one of the fuel types and stick with it. On fuel type, there’s no winner.
9. Durability
According to the users of both generator brands, they are tough and durable. Many of them have been using these generators for several years, and they only keep changing the engine oil of the generators.
That’s because the generators hardly break down. In terms of durability, we’ll call it a draw because neither of the generators is more durable than the other.
10. Diagnostic Tests
You know your generator is a backup. You don’t get to use it until there’s a power outage. Backup generators are like spare tires. They’re only put to use when a tire is damaged.
If you don’t have a power outage in six months, your generator won’t work. Unfortunately, generators don’t like this. They want to be used regularly.
That’s why some generators now run a self-diagnostic test. They’ll start up automatically and run for about 20 to 30 minutes.
When there’s a problem with the generator, this test will make it obvious. Also, starting up every week puts them in optimal condition always. Both generators have this feature, so there’s no winner here.
11. Availability of Parts
It is advisable to buy a generator whose parts are easily available. So, when a component of the generator goes bad, it will be replaced easily.
Although both Kohler 20KW and Generac 20KW generators have readily available parts, Generac’s parts are more readily available.
This is because it has more distributors in the United States than any other generator brand. So, we’ll give it to Generac 20KW.
How Much Does A 20kw Kohler Generator Cost?
This generator can be bought on several platforms but at different prices. So, it will be a good idea to check several platforms before you settle for one. Here, we will give you some of the prices that we found.
- On www.kohlerpower.com, which is the official website of the manufacturer of Kohler generators, the price of a 20-KW Kohler generator is $6,130.
- On norwall.com, you’ll get it for $6,005.
- On amazon.com, we found it for $6,050.
Remember, this is only the purchase price. The shipping fee isn’t included. However, considering the wattage of the generator, we think the price is right.
How Big is a Kohler 20k Generator?
The generator is very big. It isn’t the type of generator to move around. You’ll need a crane to install it. However, it has enough wattage to power your entire home. It has the following dimension in inches and in millimeters.
Dimension in inches – 48 inches by 26.2 inches by 29 inches.
Dimension in millimeters – 1216 mm by 665 mm by 733 mm.
How Do I Change the Oil in My Kohler 20kw Generator?
Step 1 – Start the generator and let it run for some minutes. This will allow it to warm up.
Step 2 – Shut down the generator and pull out the oil drain hose.
Step 3 – Remove the cap and let the engine oil drain into your container. Make sure you hold on to the hose until the oil drains out completely.
Step 4 – Return the cap and return the drain hose.
Step 5 – Turn the oil filter counterclockwise to remove it.
Step 6 – Replace it with a new oil filter.
Step 7 – Fill the generator with new engine oil.
Step 8 – Start the generator and let it run for a few minutes before you check for leaks.
Step 9 – Ensure you check the oil level with the dipstick. If it’s not enough, you can add more oil. Be careful not to fill the generator with too much oil.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a 22kw Generator?
This is a slightly difficult question to answer because there’s no straightforward answer. Apart from the size, the cost of installation of a generator also depends on the spot where you want to install it. Also, different services providers will charge different amounts to install the generator. Based on our research, we found out that it will cost about $6,000 – $10,000 to install 22Kw – 25Kw generators.
How Much Propane Does a Kohler 20kw Generator Use?
The higher the load on your generator, the faster it will consume the fuel. That’s why you should power only the devices you really need with your generator. Also, we’d like to remind you that the generator runs on both liquid propane and natural gas. You have to choose the fuel type that suits you.
For liquid propane, this generator will consume 2.25 gallons per hour at half load capacity.
How Many BTU Does a Kohler 20kw Generator Use?
Based on our findings, a 1-kw generator uses 3,412.14 BTU, while a 10-Kw generator uses 34,121.4 BTU.
So, a 20Kw generator will use:
3,412.14 BTU x 20 = 68,242.8 BTU
How Much Does a Generac 22kw Generator Cost?
This generator has different prices on different platforms. However, Amazon has the best price. You can get it for $5,000 on Amazon. The highest price of the generator is $5,800. Hence, we can categorically state that the price of Generac 22Kw ranges from $5,000 – $5,800.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Generac 22kw Generator?
As explained above, the size of a generator is not the only factor that determines its installation cost. Your chosen fuel type also has a role to play. If you prefer to use natural gas, the gas line has to be installed. So, this pushes the installation cost a little higher.
Besides, different generator experts charge different amounts for generator installation. That being said, it will cost you about $3,000 – $5,000 to install a Generac 22Kw generator.
How Many Amps Does a 22kw Generac Generator Produce?
The answer can be calculated using these equations:
Volts x Amps = Watts
Amps = Watts/Volts
Generators have 240-volt outlets and 220-volt outlets.
- From its 220-volt outlets, this generator will produce: 22,000/220 = 100 amps.
- From its 240-volt outlets, this generator will produce: 22,000/240 = 91.67 amps.
What Size Pads Are for Generac 22kw Generator?
In case you don’t know, pads are the strong base on which you’ll place your generator. Thankfully, Generac has its branded cement pads for its generators. The appropriate pad sizes for a Generac 22Kw are:
- 54 inches by 31 inches by 3 inches
- 54 inches by 31 inches by 4 inches
How Much Does a 22kw Generac Generator Weigh?
This generator is a heavy-duty generator that can’t be moved around easily. That’s why you should take the time to place it in the most appropriate spot. It is a very heavy generator, but its wattage is a great tradeoff. The generator weighs exactly 515 pounds.
What Engine is in a 22kw Generac Generator?
Different generator models come with different types of engines. It’s important to remember that the engine of your generator is the heart of the generator. The engine converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. So, it is necessary to consider the engine of your preferred generator.
We have confirmed that the Generac 22Kw generator comes with a Generac G-Force 1000 Series engine. The engine is said to be strong, rugged, and durable.
What Kind of Oil Does a Generac 22Kw Take?
There are several types and brands of engine oil, and a lot of people believe that all brands of engine oil have the same quality. This is not true. Some brands or types of engine oil have higher quality than others. And the higher the quality of your engine oil, the longer your generator will last. The best type of engine oil for a Generac 22Kw is 5W-30 Synthetic Oil.
What Type of Maintenance Does a Generac Generator Need?
- Change of engine oil.
- Change of oil filter.
- Change of spark plugs.
- Washing of certain components in the generator.
However, due to the size of this generator and how complex it is, we’ll advise you to allow specialists to handle its maintenance checks.
Will a 20kw Generator Run My House?
Yes of course. A 20kw generator is more than enough to power your entire home. The generator will give out at least 83 amps. If you sum up all the amperage of all your electrical appliances at home, it is not likely to reach up to 83 amps. So, we can assure you that this generator can run your house.
Final Word
We compared them in 12 areas, and Generac 20KW won three of them. Kohler won none. So, we have adjudged the Generac 20KW generator to be a better generator than the Kohler 20KW generator.
Nevertheless, the latter is also a fantastic product. So, we’ll end this article by recommending both of them.
