Generac Guardian 10kW (7171) vs Kohler 10RESV 10kW
Both units carry the same best-fuel running rating: 10,000 W. The Generac Guardian 10kW (7171) is the quieter of the two (61 dBA vs 69 dBA — though manufacturers measure noise at different loads and distances).
| Generac Guardian 10kW (7171) | Kohler 10RESV 10kW | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (MSRP) | — | $3,834 |
| Type | home-standby | home-standby |
| Fuel | natural-gas, propane | natural-gas, propane |
| Running watts (gas / LP for standby) | 10000 W | 10000 W |
| Running watts (propane) | 10000 W | 10000 W |
| Running watts (natural gas) | 9000 W | 9000 W |
| Noise level | 61 dBA | 69 dBA |
| Output voltage | 120/240V | 120/240V |
| Automatic transfer switch included | No | No |
| Main-line circuit breaker | 45 A | 50 A |
| Start type | automatic | automatic |
| Engine | Generac G-Force 400 | Kohler KT725 |
| Engine displacement | 460 cc | 725 cc |
| NG use at half load | 101 ft³/h | 120 ft³/h |
| Propane use at half load | 0.97 gal/h | — |
| Weight | 338 lb | 428 lb |
| Warranty | 5 yr | 5 yr |
Frequently asked questions
Which costs less to run, the Generac Guardian 10kW (7171) or the Kohler 10RESV 10kW?
Estimated fuel for 24 hours at about 50% load: $36 on natural gas for the Generac Guardian 10kW (7171) vs $43 on natural gas for the Kohler 10RESV 10kW, at national average prices. These are spec-sheet-derived estimates — the assumptions are on the methodology page, and different fuels make this a cost comparison, not an efficiency ranking.
Where do these specifications come from?
Every record on BackupAtlas is hand-curated from manufacturer documentation and spec sheets, and each generator page links to its source document.