Waukesha-based Generac Power System Inc. recently introduced a redesigned and improved version of its air-cooled residential power generator.
Generac’s generators are used for backup power supply to homes, businesses and institutions.
The new air-cooled generators are more powerful, designed to accommodate the larger homes being built today, said Clement Feng, chief marketing officer. The company’s new air-cooled line comes in power ratings of 8, 11, 14 and 17 kW, as well as a new 20 kW generator.
Its previous models were available in 7, 10, 13, 16 and 18 kW models.
"Homes increasingly rely on electricity for computers, home theaters, and people have upgraded the electrical systems in older homes," Feng said. "Larger power machines allow (customers) to back up all of their power circuits. It makes a nicer system when you can back up everything in your house."
The generators are being produced at Generac’s Whitewater production facility, Feng said. The redesigned generators were introduced at a recent trade show about two weeks ago and will be shipped to dealers in early April.
Generac is hiring additional workers to produce the new generators, Feng said. However, he did not know how many workers the company would hire.
The company also recently spent more than $1 million on new equipment and machinery to build the renovated generators.
The residential standby generators use a home’s natural gas or propane supply, so there is no need to fuel them with gasoline. Because those fuels have less noxious emissions than gasoline or diesel fuel, they are becoming more popular with homeowners, Feng said.
"The new models reflect our market-leading commitment to bring better and more affordable standby power solutions to home and business owners, with fully automatic standby generators starting at $1,999," Feng said.
For more information, visit www.generac.com.
