We sell and install Generac, Kohler, and Cummins standby generators for Houston homeowners who want dependable backup power. All three brands make good residential equipment, but we don’t recommend the same generator for every house. We’ve found that the home’s electrical needs have a lot more to do with our recommendation than the name on the generator.
When homeowners contact us about installing a whole house generator, many already have a brand in mind. They’ve seen a Generac advertisement, talked to a neighbor with a Kohler, or heard someone recommend Cummins.
We understand that. A standby generator is a major purchase, and people want to know they’re buying equipment they can count on.
At Illuminations Lighting Design, we’re authorized dealers for all three manufacturers. We’ve been working on electrical systems in Houston homes since 1985, and we bring that experience into every generator recommendation we make.
We can explain what each brand offers, but we’re also going to ask questions about your home. The answers tell us quite a bit about which generator makes sense.
Why We Offer Three Different Generator Brands
We’ve chosen to offer Generac, Kohler, and Cummins because each manufacturer has a selection of residential standby generators with different capacities and features.
That gives us room to recommend equipment based on the installation instead of trying to make one particular generator work for everyone.
Generac is a familiar name to many homeowners. The company manufactures a wide range of residential standby generators, with models suited for different backup power requirements. We consider Generac when its available equipment matches the home’s electrical load and the features the owner wants.
Kohler is another established manufacturer we work with. Its residential standby generators offer automatic backup power, with different capacities and control options available across the product line. We’ll recommend a Kohler system when the equipment is a good match for the property.
Cummins also manufactures residential standby generators. We consider its available models when evaluating power requirements, installation conditions, and the features homeowners want in their backup system.
We don’t have a rule that one brand is always better than the others.
There are installations where a particular model stands out because of its electrical capacity, physical size, operating features, or compatibility with the rest of the system. That’s the kind of comparison we make when putting together a recommendation.
We also look at the practical side of owning the equipment, including maintenance access and service requirements.
A generator needs to be the right fit on installation day, and it needs to remain practical to service years later.
The Generator Has to Match the House
Houston has plenty of homes with substantial electrical requirements.
In neighborhoods like River Oaks, Memorial, and West University, we work with properties that may have multiple air conditioning systems, outdoor kitchens, pools, and extensive lighting. Some have undergone several renovations, so the electrical system has changed quite a bit since the house was built.
Those details matter when selecting a standby generator.
Let’s say a homeowner wants enough backup power to run both air conditioning systems, the kitchen, and the rest of the home’s normal electrical equipment. That’s a different request than keeping one AC system, the refrigerator, and a few essential circuits running.
Both homeowners may be interested in a whole house generator, but their equipment requirements aren’t necessarily the same.
We look at the electrical service and calculate the loads the generator will need to support. We also account for the amount of electricity large equipment draws when it first starts.
Air conditioning is a big consideration here. Houston homeowners generally want to keep their homes cool during an outage, and larger AC equipment can place a significant demand on a generator.
We’ll look at that equipment before recommending a model.
If we believe a particular generator needs additional load management equipment to operate the home’s appliances properly, we’ll explain that. Load management allows a backup power system to control certain electrical demands so the generator isn’t overloaded.
Sometimes it’s a practical way to get the backup power a homeowner wants without moving to a much larger generator.
We want people to understand what they’re purchasing, especially which appliances and systems will be supported when the electricity goes out.
We Also Look at the Fuel Supply and Available Installation Space
Once we’ve narrowed down the power requirements, we look at the property itself.
Most residential standby generators operate on natural gas or propane. In many Houston neighborhoods, natural gas is already available at the house, making it a practical option to consider.
We still have to determine whether the fuel supply can support the generator.
A larger generator can require a substantial amount of fuel while operating under load. Other gas appliances in the house also need to be accounted for. The existing gas service may need to be evaluated before the installation can move ahead.
Generator placement is another consideration.
Some homes have a convenient location near the electrical service and fuel connection. Others have narrow side yards, fencing, mature trees, or outdoor equipment that limits where a generator can go.
We’ve spent decades working on electrical and lighting installations around Houston properties, so we know that the outdoor layout deserves attention.
Homeowners may have invested considerable money in landscaping, lighting, and other improvements. We take those features into account when deciding where the generator can be installed.
There are also manufacturer requirements for clearance, airflow, exhaust, and access to the equipment.
The space available at the property can influence which generator models we recommend. If two generators meet the electrical requirements but have different installation dimensions or clearance needs, those differences are worth considering.
We’d rather settle those questions before ordering the equipment.
Buying Your Generator Through the Company Installing It
One advantage of working with us is that you can purchase the generator and have the installation handled by the same electrical contractor.
You don’t have to figure out which model to order on your own or wonder whether the generator you’ve purchased will work with your existing electrical system.
We’ll look at the home, make our recommendation, and explain what’s included in the installation.
Our generator services cover the equipment, electrical connections, automatic transfer switch installation, and the work needed to integrate the system with your home.
We also coordinate the other installation requirements, including applicable permits, inspections, and fuel connection work.
The automatic transfer switch is particularly important. It’s what allows the generator to respond when utility power fails and transfer the designated electrical loads to backup power.
Our electricians install and test that equipment as part of the completed system.
We’ve been an electrical contractor in Houston for more than 40 years. Our work includes residential wiring, electrical panel improvements, lighting installations, and other projects that involve working with a home’s electrical infrastructure.
That experience comes into play when a generator installation requires more than a straightforward connection.
An older electrical panel may need attention. A remodeled home may have additional electrical loads that weren’t part of its original design. The generator location may require a different approach to the wiring.
We’ll identify those issues during planning and explain what needs to be done.
We Don’t Recommend Buying More Generator Than You Need
One of the things we discuss with homeowners is how much of the house they really want to operate during an outage.
There’s a difference between wanting complete backup power and needing every large electrical appliance running at exactly the same time.
Some homeowners want the full convenience of a generator that supports the home’s normal electrical demands. Others would be perfectly comfortable with a system that keeps the important equipment operating.
We can recommend equipment for either situation.
We also talk about what happens when several large appliances start at once. A properly designed backup generator system needs enough capacity to handle those demands, or controls that manage them.
That’s why we spend time calculating the electrical load instead of recommending a generator based only on the home’s size.
We’re happy to install a larger system when the home’s requirements call for one. But we don’t think homeowners should spend more on generator capacity without a good reason.
We’d much rather explain the available options and let you make an informed decision.
What You Can Expect From Our Installation Team
Our customers have told us they appreciate working with electricians who show up prepared, take care around their homes, and pay attention to the finished installation.
Those are things we take seriously.
Our published customer reviews include comments about the professionalism of our crews, detailed estimates, and the care we’ve taken on challenging electrical and lighting projects.
We approach generator work with those same expectations.
After discussing your backup power needs, we’ll evaluate the property and recommend suitable Generac, Kohler, or Cummins equipment. We’ll also explain the installation work involved, including any electrical improvements or site requirements we identify.
Our team handles the electrical installation and makes sure the generator is properly integrated with the home’s electrical system.
When the equipment is installed, we check its operation and test the automatic transfer process.
We also take time to explain how the system works. You’ll know what happens during an outage, what the generator is designed to power, and what regular maintenance will be needed.
If you’re investing in a standby generator, you should feel comfortable with both the equipment and the people who installed it.
We Service Generac, Kohler, and Cummins Generators Too
One thing we recommend thinking about before buying a generator is who will service it later.
Standby generators need regular maintenance. They have engines, batteries, filters, electrical connections, and other components that require attention.
The maintenance schedule depends on the equipment and how much it’s used.
A generator that runs for several days during a power outage may need service sooner than one that has only completed its regular exercise cycles.
We provide generator maintenance, diagnostics, and repair services for Generac, Kohler, and Cummins equipment.
Our factory-trained technicians can inspect the system, perform scheduled maintenance, and troubleshoot problems that affect operation.
We recommend keeping up with the manufacturer’s service requirements, particularly before Houston’s hurricane season.
It’s much easier to address a maintenance issue during a scheduled appointment than to discover a problem when the neighborhood loses electricity.
And because we handle generator sales, installation, and service, homeowners have a local electrical contractor they can contact after the original installation is complete.
Questions About Buying a Standby Generator From Us
Do you sell all three brands directly?
Yes. We’re an authorized dealer for Generac, Kohler, and Cummins standby generators. We can supply the equipment and provide professional installation for Houston-area homes.
Which generator brand do you recommend most often?
We recommend generators based on the home’s electrical requirements, available installation space, fuel supply, and the features the homeowner wants. We’re happy to explain the differences between suitable Generac, Kohler, and Cummins models before you purchase.
Can you replace an older standby generator with a newer model?
We can evaluate an existing generator installation and determine what’s needed to replace the equipment. We’ll review the electrical connections, transfer switch, fuel supply, and other components before recommending a replacement system.
Will you provide maintenance after installation?
Yes. We offer scheduled generator maintenance, diagnostics, and repair services. Our technicians work on Generac, Kohler, and Cummins standby generators.
Let’s Find the Right Generator for Your Houston Home
If you’re comparing Generac, Kohler, and Cummins generators, give us a call. We’ll go over what you need your generator to power and take a look at the electrical requirements of your home.
We can recommend suitable equipment, explain the differences between the models, and provide an estimate for the generator and installation.
We sell, install, and service standby generators throughout Houston and surrounding communities. Our electrical team has been working in Houston homes since 1985, and we’re here to help you make a good decision about your backup power.
Call Illuminations Lighting Design at 713-863-1133 to schedule your generator consultation.
