Backup Power You Can Count On
Power outages in Southeast Wisconsin aren’t a matter of if, they’re a matter of when. A whole-home standby generator keeps your heat, refrigerator, sump pump, medical equipment, and the rest of your home running when the grid goes down. It kicks on automatically within seconds of an outage and runs on natural gas or propane, so there’s nothing to drag out of a garage or manually start.
Watts Up Electric is a Kohler Certified Dealer and installer, which means we don’t just put in generators, we help you choose the right one. Most electricians who sell generators act only as dealers and hand the installation off to a separate crew you’ve never met. That’s not how we operate. Our team handles everything from the initial sizing conversation all the way through final startup testing. One team, one point of contact, start to finish.
What's included in a generator install:
- Generator sizing and recommendation
- Full Kohler generator supply and installation
- Automatic transfer switch installation
- Startup testing, walkthrough, and documentation
Why We Partner with Kohler
Kohler has been building generators for over 80 years. Their residential standby line is known for reliability, quiet operation, and the kind of build quality that holds up in Wisconsin winters. As a Kohler Certified Dealer, Watts Up Electric has direct access to their full product line, certified training on installation and service, and manufacturer support that independent dealers don’t have.
This matters because generator installations aren’t all the same. Sizing a generator incorrectly, too small or too large for your home’s load, can create real problems. The Kohler Certified Dealer credential means Paul knows how to size the system right for your specific home, fuel source, and usage needs. You’re not getting a best guess. You’re getting a recommendation from someone who knows the product and the installation inside and out.
Simple Process,
No Surprises
Free Estimate and Sizing
Our team visits your home, reviews your electrical load, discusses your fuel source, and recommends the right Kohler generator for your needs.
Permit and Installation
We pull all required permits, coordinate the pad or mounting, install the generator and transfer switch, and connect to your fuel line.
Startup and Walkthrough
Once installation is complete, we run a full operational test, walk you through the system, and make sure you know exactly how it works, including the exercise cycle that runs automatically each week.
Keep Your Generator Ready With a Service Plan
A standby generator is only as reliable as the maintenance behind it. Watts Up Electric offers prepaid service plans that include two visits per year: a spring maintenance visit and a fall winter-prep inspection. Every visit covers oil and filter changes, spark plug and battery checks, operational testing under load, and a written service report.
How the pricing works:
Standard service is $300 per year and covers both visits. Prepay your full term and the discount is applied to the total. The longer the commitment, the bigger the savings, and your rate is locked for the entire term.
3-Year Plan
$855
Total, prepaid
Save $45
5% off list price
Effective rate: $285/year
6 service visits total
5-year Plan
$1,350
Total, prepaid
Save $150
10% off list price
Effective rate: $270/year
10 service visits total
10-Year Plan
$2,400
Total, prepaid
Save $600
20% off list price
Effective rate: $240/year
20 service visits total
10-Year Plan protections: Transferable — plan conveys to the new homeowner if you sell the property. Prorated refund — if your generator is replaced or permanently removed, unused service years are refunded at the 10-year rate.
What's included in every service year:
SPRING VISIT — Annual Maintenance
- Oil & oil filter change (Kohler residential maintenance kit)
- Air filter replacement (included in kit)
- Spark plug replacement (included in kit)
- Battery load test & terminal service
- Coolant level & condition check
- Full operational test under load
All consumables in the Kohler residential maintenance kit — oil, oil filter, air filter, and spark plugs — are included at every spring visit.
FALL VISIT — Winter-Prep Inspection
- Enclosure & mounting inspection
- Exercise cycle & transfer switch test
- Fuel line & connection inspection
- Battery health re-check (pre-cold)
- Intake / exhaust clearance check
- Controller / error-code review
- Written service report
What's not included:
Battery replacement — we test every visit, if it needs replacing, you pay parts only + 20% off our labor rate; Major repairs — starter, alternator, controller board, engine internals (parts at cost, labor discounted 20%); Other non-routine parts — belts, hoses, coolant, sensors; Load bank testing — available as an add-on service; Fuel quality issues — stale gas, diesel polishing, tank cleaning, fuel additives; Transfer switch repairs or replacement; Emergency / after-hours calls — plan holders get priority scheduling; Natural gas / propane line work beyond the generator connection.
Ready to enroll?
Call (262) 666-1238 or email hello@wattsupelectric.com to schedule your first visit and lock in your plan.s
Refer a Friend. Earn $300.
Most of our best customers come from word of mouth. We’d rather reward the people who recommend us than spend that money on ads. When you send a neighbor our way, you’re trusting us with their home and we don’t take that lightly.
Have someone in mind? Have them call (262) 666-1238 or email hello@wattsupelectric.com and ask for a generator estimate — make sure they mention your name.
Questions? Call or text Paul directly at (262) 666-1238.
Referral Program Details
- No cap on referrals. Refer five neighbors, earn $1,500.
- Applies to whole-home standby generator installations only — not portable units or other electrical work.
- The new customer must name you as the referrer at the time of their estimate. Referrals can’t be applied after the fact.
- Referrer must be a current or past Watts Up Electric customer. New customer must not have been previously served by us.
Send Them Our Way
Tell a neighbor, friend, or family member about Watts Up Electric. Have them mention your name when they request a generator estimate.
We Install Their Generator
We provide a no-pressure estimate. If they hire us for a whole-home standby generator, we handle the rest.
You Both Get Rewarded
Once their job is paid in full, you receive $300 cash. As a thank-you, they receive a free whole-house surge protector.
Generator FAQs
What size generator do I need for my home?
It depends on what you want to keep running during an outage. A 14kW generator covers the essentials for most homes: heating, refrigerator, lights, and outlets. If you want to run central air conditioning too, a 20kW or larger unit is typically the way to go. During the estimate, Paul will review your electrical load and recommend the right size based on what your home actually needs.
What's the difference between a standby generator and a portable generator?
A standby generator is permanently installed at your home, connects to your natural gas or propane line, and starts automatically within seconds of a power outage. A portable generator requires fuel storage, manual startup, and extension cords. For reliable whole-home protection, a standby system is the right answer.
Does a whole-home generator require a permit in Wisconsin?
Yes. Generator installations require electrical permits and in most cases a gas permit as well. Watts Up Electric handles all permitting and coordinates the required inspections. You don’t need to manage any of that.
How long does a generator installation take?
Most residential standby generator installations take one to two days, depending on site conditions, panel location, and fuel source. We’ll give you a realistic timeline during the estimate.
Why should I choose Watts Up Electric over a big-box retailer or national generator company?
Paul is a Kohler Certified installer who’s personally involved in your project from sizing through startup. We’re locally owned, not private equity backed, and our overhead is lower, which means more competitive pricing and a team that actually picks up the phone when you call.
What our customers Are Saying
Here’s what homeowners and business owners across Southeast Wisconsin say about working with the Watts Up Electric team.
5.0 Stars
on Google, Angi & Home Advisor
Ready to Get the Job Done Right?
Whether you know exactly what you need or just have a question, Paul’s easy to reach and happy to talk it through. No pressure, no runaround.