Kohler 12RESV 12kW
Kohler 12RESV 12kW is a home standby generator from Kohler, rated 12,000 running watts on propane and 11,000 W on natural gas, measured at 69 dBA, with 120/240V output.
MSRP: $4,283
| Type | home-standby |
|---|---|
| Fuel | natural-gas, propane |
| Running watts (gas / LP for standby) | 12000 W |
|---|---|
| Running watts (propane) | 12000 W |
| Running watts (natural gas) | 11000 W |
| Noise level | 69 dBA |
|---|---|
| NG use at half load | 128 ft³/h |
| Output voltage | 120/240V |
|---|---|
| Automatic transfer switch included | No |
| Main-line circuit breaker | 60 A |
| Start type | automatic |
|---|
| Engine | Kohler KT725 |
|---|---|
| Engine displacement | 725 cc |
| Weight | 433 lb |
|---|
| Warranty | 5 yr |
|---|
What the numbers mean
- At 12,000 running watts on its best fuel, this unit covers most household circuits through an appropriately sized transfer switch; central air conditioning typically needs load management or a soft starter.
- Runs on natural gas, propane — expect lower output on propane (roughly 10%) and natural gas (roughly 20%) than on gasoline; the spec table shows the published per-fuel ratings.
- Estimated fuel cost for 24 h at ~50% load: about $46 on natural gas at national average prices (assumptions).
- Permanently installed unit: sizing, gas-line capacity, placement clearances, and the transfer switch are a job for licensed installers under local permits.
Compare the Kohler 12RESV 12kW
- Kohler 12RESV 12kW vs Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 10kW with 200A ATS (040684)
- Kohler 12RESV 12kW vs Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 12kW (040666)
- Kohler 12RESV 12kW vs Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect DX 13kW (040740)
- Kohler 12RESV 12kW vs Champion aXis 14kW with 200A ATS (100837)
- Kohler 12RESV 12kW vs Cummins QuietConnect RS13A 13kW
- Kohler 12RESV 12kW vs Cummins QuietConnect RS17A 17kW
- Kohler 12RESV 12kW vs Generac Guardian 10kW (7171)
- Kohler 12RESV 12kW vs Generac Guardian 14kW (7224)
Similar generators
- Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 12kW (040666) ( 12,000 W running)
- Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect DX 13kW (040740) ( 13,000 W running)
- Cummins QuietConnect RS13A 13kW ( 13,000 W running)
- Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 10kW with 200A ATS (040684) ( 10,000 W running)
- Champion aXis 14kW with 200A ATS (100837) ( 14,000 W running)
- Generac Guardian 10kW (7171) ( 10,000 W running)
Frequently asked questions
What can the Kohler 12RESV 12kW run during an outage?
With 12,000 running watts on its best fuel, the Kohler 12RESV 12kW covers most household circuits through an appropriately sized transfer switch; central air conditioning typically needs load management or a soft starter. Add up your actual loads with a sizing worksheet — the bands here are rough guidance, not a load calculation.
What does the Kohler 12RESV 12kW cost to run for a day?
Roughly $46 for 24 hours of continuous operation at about 50% load on natural gas, at national average fuel prices. The assumptions behind this estimate are documented on the methodology page; your fuel price and load change the figure.
Does the Kohler 12RESV 12kW start automatically?
Yes — home standby generators monitor utility power and start themselves when it fails; pairing it with an appropriately sized automatic transfer switch (sold separately for some configurations) completes the automatic changeover.
Sources
- www.kohlerhomeenergy.rehlko.com (retrieved 2026-07-23)
- techcomm.rehlko.com (retrieved 2026-07-23)