Firebrand Electric is an authorized Kohler generator dealer and installer serving all of Sonoma County. Kohler generators are engineered for reliability, efficiency, and quiet operation — qualities that matter when PSPS events and storm outages leave your neighborhood in the dark for days. From compact 14kW units for essential home circuits to powerful 150kW commercial systems for wineries and businesses, we sell, install, and service the complete Kohler generator lineup.
Based in Santa Rosa, our team has installed hundreds of Kohler generators across the region. We handle everything from initial load assessment and model selection through permitting, concrete pad installation, fuel line connection, electrical integration, and commissioning. When your Kohler generator is installed by Firebrand Electric, it is done right.
Kohler has been manufacturing generators since 1920 — over a century of engineering excellence. Key advantages of Kohler generators include:
14RESAL (14kW): Covers essential circuits — refrigerator, lights, well pump, and a few additional circuits. Good for smaller homes or those who want essential-load-only backup at a lower cost.
20RESAL (20kW): The most popular model for Sonoma County homes. Covers the full house for most 3 to 4 bedroom homes including kitchen appliances, HVAC on a single zone, and general lighting and outlets.
24RCL (24kW): For larger homes or those with higher electrical demands — central AC, multiple HVAC zones, pool equipment, or home workshops. Commercial-grade engine provides extra capacity.
38RCLB (38kW): Large-capacity unit for estates, wine country properties with significant electrical loads, or homes with electric heating, multiple AC zones, and high-demand equipment.
For commercial properties, Kohler offers three-phase generators from 25kW to 150kW-plus. We install commercial Kohler generators at wineries, restaurants, medical offices, retail locations, and industrial facilities throughout Sonoma County. Commercial installations include automatic transfer switches with utility-grade controls, paralleling capability for redundancy, and integration with building management systems.
1. Load Assessment: We calculate your actual power requirements — what circuits you want backed up and what the running and starting loads are for each.
2. Model Selection: Based on the load assessment, we recommend the right Kohler model. We do not oversell — the right size generator runs more efficiently and costs less to operate.
3. Site Planning: Generator placement must comply with local setback requirements, provide adequate ventilation, minimize noise impact on neighbors, and allow access for maintenance and fuel delivery.
4. Permitting: We handle all permits with the Sonoma County building department or your city jurisdiction.
5. Installation: Concrete pad pouring, generator placement, fuel line connection (natural gas or propane), electrical wiring to the automatic transfer switch and electrical panel, and system integration.
6. Commissioning: Full load testing, automatic transfer verification, monitoring app setup, and operation training.
Regular maintenance keeps your Kohler generator ready for the next outage. We provide maintenance services including oil and filter changes on the manufacturer-recommended schedule, air filter replacement, spark plug inspection and replacement, coolant system checks for liquid-cooled models, battery testing and replacement, load bank testing to verify performance under full load, transfer switch testing and adjustment, and firmware updates for the OnCue monitoring system.
We also provide emergency repair service when generators fail during outages — because that is exactly when you need them to work.
Natural Gas: If your property has natural gas service, this is typically the best choice. Natural gas provides unlimited fuel supply without tank refills, and Kohler natural gas generators start automatically during outages without any intervention.
Propane (LP): For rural Sonoma County properties without natural gas — common in areas like Forestville, Kenwood, western Healdsburg, rural Sebastopol, and Cloverdale — propane is the standard fuel. We recommend a 500-gallon or larger tank to ensure adequate fuel for extended PSPS events that can last several days.
Diesel: Available for larger commercial models. Diesel generators provide excellent fuel efficiency for extended runtime commercial applications.
Kohler generators pair well with solar and battery storage systems for maximum energy resilience. Solar handles daily power production, batteries provide instant backup for short outages, and the Kohler generator serves as the ultimate backup for extended events. We also provide residential electrical services, EV charger installation, and lighting design for Sonoma County homes.
Serving Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Windsor, Sonoma, Sebastopol, Rohnert Park, Forestville, Cloverdale, and all of Sonoma County. CA License #1063440.
A fully installed Kohler generator in Sonoma County ranges from $8,000 for a 14kW essential-load unit to $18,000 or more for a 38kW whole-home system. The 20kW 20RESAL — our most popular model — typically runs $10,000 to $14,000 fully installed including the concrete pad, fuel line, transfer switch, electrical connections, permitting, and commissioning. Commercial installations are priced based on system size and site requirements.
A natural gas Kohler generator will run as long as gas utility service remains active, which is typically uninterrupted during PSPS events since PG&E shuts off electricity, not gas. For propane generators, runtime depends on tank size and load. A 500-gallon propane tank running a 20kW generator at average load will typically last 5 to 7 days — more than enough for most PSPS events.
The automatic transfer switch continuously monitors utility power. When it detects an outage, it signals the generator to start. Within 10 to 15 seconds, the generator reaches operating speed and the transfer switch moves your home circuits from utility power to generator power. When utility power returns and stabilizes, the transfer switch automatically moves circuits back and the generator shuts down. The entire process is automatic — you do not need to do anything.
Both are reputable manufacturers. Kohler generators use commercial-grade engines and tend to have quieter operation, more robust construction, and longer engine life. Generac has a larger market share and competitive pricing at the entry level. We recommend Kohler for clients who prioritize long-term reliability, quieter operation, and commercial-grade build quality. The best choice depends on your specific needs and budget — we are happy to discuss the differences during your consultation.
Kohler generators are factory-set to exercise automatically once per week for about 20 minutes. This keeps the engine lubricated, charges the battery, and verifies the system is ready. You can adjust the exercise schedule through the OnCue app or the generator controller. Weekly exercise is important — a generator that sits idle for months may not start when you need it.