Home › Comparisons › Generac 14 kW vs. Kohler 14RCA
The Generac 14 kW (Guardian 7223 or NextGen 7258) is rated 14 kW on both propane and natural gas. The KOHLER 14RCA is 14 kW on propane but 12 kW on natural gas[1, 2, 3]. The Generac also lists lower ($4,569 for the 7223 vs $5,098 for the 14RCA)[4, 5]. The Kohler counters with a longer full-coverage warranty and a published 33 kVA motor-starting rating[3].
| KOHLER 14RCA / 14RCAL | Generac Guardian 14 kW (7223/7224/7225) | Generac NextGen 14 kW (7258) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rated output, propane | 14 kW[3] | 14 kW[1] | 14 kW[2] |
| Rated output, natural gas | 12 kW | 14 kW | 14 kW |
| Amps at 240 V (LP / NG) | 59 A / 50 A | 58.3 A / 58.3 A | 58 A / 58 A |
| Main breaker | 70 A | 60 A | 60 A |
| Peak motor starting | 33 kVA | not listed | not listed |
| Sound, full/normal load @ 23 ft | 69 dB(A) (product page: 67)[5] | 65 dB(A) | 65 dB(A) |
| Sound, exercise | 63 dB(A), 20 min | 55 dB(A) Quiet-Test, 5 min | 55 dB(A) Quiet-Test, 5 min default |
| Fuel, full load NG / LP | 193 / 81 ft³/hr | 256 / 112 ft³/hr | 243 / 106 ft³/hr |
| Fuel, half load NG / LP | 124 / 60 ft³/hr | 195 / 65 ft³/hr | 189 / 63 ft³/hr |
| Natural gas supply pressure | 5–11 in. H₂O | 3.5–7 in. water column | 3.5–7 in. water column |
| Weight | 452.5 lb shipping; 502.5 lb with 200 A RXT SE ATS | 385 lb | 391 lb |
| MSRP, generator only | $5,098[5] | $4,569 (7223)[4] | $4,889[6] |
| MSRP, with transfer switch | $6,066 (14RCAL)[7] | $5,139 (7224, 16-circuit) · $5,389 (7225, whole-house)[8, 9] | — |
| Standard warranty | 5 yr/2,000 hr parts, labor & travel[3] | 5 yr/2,000 hr; labor in yrs 1–2 only[10] | 5-year limited[2] |
A dash means we did not find the figure on the source documents we used.
Cost per kilowatt
| Model | Package | MSRP “starting at” | kW LP / NG | $ per LP kW* | $ per NG kW* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generac 7223 Guardian 14 kW[4] | generator only | $4,569 | 14 / 14 | $326.36 | $326.36 |
| Generac 7258 NextGen 14 kW[6] | generator only | $4,889 | 14 / 14 | $349.21 | $349.21 |
| KOHLER 14RCA[5] | generator only | $5,098 | 14 / 12 | $364.14 | $424.83 |
| Generac 7224 Guardian 14 kW[8] | with 16-circuit transfer switch | $5,139 | 14 / 14 | $367.07 | $367.07 |
| Generac 7225 Guardian 14 kW[9] | with whole-house transfer switch | $5,389 | 14 / 14 | $384.93 | $384.93 |
| KOHLER 14RCAL[7] | with RXT automatic transfer switch | $6,066 | 14 / 12 | $433.29 | $505.50 |
* Calculated by us: MSRP ÷ rated kW. MSRPs are the manufacturers’ published “starting at” prices for the equipment only; they exclude installation, gas piping, electrical work, pad and permits, and dealers set final prices.
Which 14 kW should you choose?
- On natural gas, the Generac gives you 2 kW more (14 vs 12 kW) for less money[1, 3, 4, 5].
- On propane, output is equal (14 kW), so the choice comes down to price ($4,569–$4,889 for the Generac vs $5,098 for the Kohler) against the Kohler’s warranty and published motor-starting rating[4, 6, 5, 3].
- If 12–14 kW feels tight, see the 20RCA vs 22 kW page.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kohler 14RCA or Generac 14kW better?
On natural gas the Generac 14 kW delivers 14 kW vs 12 kW for the Kohler 14RCA, and it lists for less ($4,569 for the Guardian 7223 vs $5,098). The Kohler has the longer full-coverage warranty and publishes a 33 kVA motor-starting rating (manufacturer documents checked October 27, 2026).
How many kW is a Kohler 14RCA on natural gas?
12 kW (50 A at 240 V), per Kohler spec sheet G4-270. It is 14 kW on propane.
Does the Generac 14kW lose power on natural gas?
No. Generac's spec sheets rate both the Guardian and NextGen 14 kW at 14 kW on natural gas and on propane.
Sources
Every figure on this page was taken from the documents below, all opened on October 27, 2026. Manufacturers revise spec sheets and prices; check the linked document before you buy.
- 1. Generac Guardian 10/14/18 kW spec sheet, Part A0000973374 Rev. A (10/22/2020) (accessed October 27, 2026)
- 2. Generac NextGen 14/18 kW spec sheet, Part A0005151081 Rev. B (07/11/2025) (accessed October 27, 2026)
- 3. KOHLER 14RCA/14RCAL spec sheet G4-270 (rev. 4/26j), Discovery Energy, LLC (accessed October 27, 2026)
- 4. Generac 7223 (14 kW Guardian) product page, MSRP (accessed October 27, 2026)
- 5. KOHLER 14RCA product page (Rehlko), MSRP (accessed October 27, 2026)
- 6. Generac 7258 (14 kW NextGen) product page, MSRP (accessed October 27, 2026)
- 7. KOHLER 14RCAL product page (Rehlko), MSRP (accessed October 27, 2026)
- 8. Generac 7224 (14 kW Guardian + 16-circuit switch) product page, MSRP (accessed October 27, 2026)
- 9. Generac 7225 (14 kW Guardian + whole-house switch) product page, MSRP (accessed October 27, 2026)
- 10. Generac 5 Year Limited Warranty for Residential and Commercial Standby Generators, Part 10000039087 Rev A (accessed October 27, 2026)