News & Updates

A site survey takes the confusion out of purchasing a home standby generator.

Knowledge is power. Purchase a Champion site survey now to learn exactly what’s involved with the purchase and installation of a home standby generator. A Champion dealer will walk you through the installation process from start to finish, and you will be equipped with all the details you need, all your questions answered and a customized estimate specifically designed for you, your family, your home and your budget. 

Contact an Authorized Champion Dealer with our Home Standby Generator Selector.

Automatic home standby generators provide peace of mind since they operate whether you are home or not. Your family is your biggest investment, and we understand how important it is to know they are safe and protected during unexpected emergencies.

Champion’s “keep it simple” strategy connects you with the most affordable backup solution for your needs.

Your costs for purchasing and installing a home standby generator system will include:

• The generator itself
• An automatic transfer switch
• Any power management modules needed for high demand appliances (e.g. electric cooking range or electric clothes dryer)
• Placement and installation of the system by an authorized Champion installer, including materials related to electrical connections and natural gas (NG) or propane (LPG) plumbing, fittings and connections and batteries 

Once purchased and installed, ongoing costs are fuel and maintenance. Your Champion dealer can size your generator to minimize your fuel consumption costs with an efficient Champion home standby generator and support your Champion home standby with scheduled maintenance.

During a site survey: What you will learn

Champion will contact you within 48 hours of your site survey purchase and connect you with a local, authorized dealer. Then, the authorized Champion dealer will schedule a convenient time to meet with you at your home to conduct the site survey.

The Champion dealer:  

• Walks you through the system installation process 
• Ensures local codes are met·        
• Provides a turnkey solution that works for you   

In order to avoid costly mistakes that would need to be corrected in the future, no important details will be overlooked. Your dealer site survey determines the placement, installation and materials needed for your home standby generator system. Your Champion installer will teach you how your system operates, and once installed, will demonstrate the features of your new standby. 

Where can my generator be installed?

The answer to this question isn’t always easy due to the various local codes and proper safety precautions that must be considered. A Champion dealer knows exactly how to answer these questions and make recommendations resulting in an efficient and cost-effective installation. Champion home standby generators are rated for installation as close as 18 inches from the outer wall of your home (where code allows), saving wiring and plumbing costs.  A home standby generator should never be installed closer than 5 feet to an opening in the home, including windows, doors, and vents, and should also never be installed under decking.

Do I need a concrete pad?

Depending on local code, some installations may require a concrete pad, although home standby generators are usually installed on graded landscape rock or pea gravel to allow for drainage.  A Champion dealer can provide a pre-formed pad solution if required.

How much plumbing will I need?

Your Champion generator must be connected to your home’s fuel source (NG or LPG) in order to create electricity. The installer will determine the best standby generator placement based on several factors including the location of your gas meter in order to minimize the fuel pipe required. An optimal installation uses under 20 feet of pipe.

Do I need a meter upgrade?

In order to prevent your generator’s fuel requirements from starving the other appliances in your home, natural gas may require a gas meter upgrade through your gas utility. This will be determined by a Champion dealer.

Where will the transfer switch be installed?

Your Champion generator is connected to your home’s electrical distribution system through an automatic transfer switch. Depending on where your distribution panel is located, your home may need a transfer switch installed either outdoors or indoors. Champion offers switches for either requirement.

How much wiring will I need?

The amount of wire you’ll need depends on what side of the house your electrical meter and main distribution panel are located. This will affect how much wire needs to be run to the generator. The Champion dealer will determine the best standby generator placement in order to help minimize the electrical wire and conduit required. The optimal wire run is under 20 feet.

Do I need a load management module?

For whole house power, with intelligent load management technology, larger electrical demand items that use 240-volt double pole breakers such as electric cooking ranges or electric clothes dryers can be managed with the optional load management module (LMM). Managing these items with an LMM allows you to use a smaller generator by intelligently controlling when each appliance can start, saving you money on fuel consumption and the cost of a generator

Before a site survey: What to know

What are my goals for a home standby generator system?

•  If you want your generator system to manage your entire home’s electrical demand during a power outage, then you are the perfect match for our most flexible solution – a Whole House Standby Generator System.
• If you want your generator system to manage 12 or 16 select circuits in your home during a power outage, then you are a great fit for our most cost-effective solution – a Select Circuit Standby Generator System.

Other helpful items: 

When estimating installation costs, it’s helpful to know the size of your home in square feet, the size of your home’s electrical panel, and whether your home’s fuel supply is natural gas (NG) or propane (LPG). Your home’s electrical service size in Amps can be found at the main circuit breaker in the distribution panel of your home.

• Whole House: For Champion Whole House managed power systems, if your home is under or around 4000 square feet, typically, it may be managed with a Champion 14kW generator.
• Select Circuit: Champion’s Select Circuit systems can manage 12 or 16 circuits and requires your preselection of items you want to power during an outage. Sizing requirements are not based on the square footage of your home.

If you’re not sure about any of these items, a Champion Dealer will be happy to answer any questions you might have and offer a personalized recommendation during your site survey.

Get the process started and get connected to an Authorized Champion Dealer with our Home Standby Generator Selector tool.

When you purchased your portable generator, you either filled it up with gasoline and oil to give it a test run or you waited until you actually needed it. Once you tested it or used it the first time, you probably put it away and moved on. 

Has a month or more passed since you put your generator away? If so, the gas left in the carburetor can start to go bad. Gasoline that has not been treated with fuel stabilizer can gum up the carburetor creating blockages that will affect the engine’s performance. 

Blockage warning signs to watch for: 

• You’re only able to run the machine on choke.
• Surging.
• Your generator won’t start at all.

When an outage occurs, you pull your generator out of storage, trusting it to get your lights back on, keep your food from spoiling, and heat or cool your home. What if it doesn’t work? What then? 

If your generator was stored improperly, it may not be able to come through for you. 

Just like your generator, your log splitter, snow blower, and other gasoline-powered products need to be stored properly. Whether you need to keep the power on, split logs to stay warm during cold days and nights, or clear snow after a heavy winter storm, it’s important to keep the fuel fresh in any of your gasoline-powered products so they’re ready to go when you are.

Take a little bit of extra time now and go through this safe storage checklist to ensure your peace of mind later.

Use the Right Type of Fuel: We recommend unleaded gasoline with an ethanol content of 10% or less. It’s perfectly fine to use 85 to 91 octane fuels. The difference between them won’t be noticeable. Using non-ethanol fuel is beneficial since it reduces fuel storage issues. Visit www.Pure-Gas.org to find a station that offers this kind of fuel. 

Add Fuel Stabilizer: Storing your generator without the addition of fuel stabilizer means the gasoline can go bad within a month, causing major problems. Using fuel stabilizer can help extend the gasoline’s lifespan for up to 24 months. If you do have older fuel sitting in the carburetor, we recommend that you run it at least once a month for about 15 minutes to prevent any older fuel from corroding it. You can get stabilizers at your local auto parts store or online. 

Clean or Replace Your Carburetor: Bad fuel produces debris that prevents fuel from flowing the way it should. If your generator has been stored improperly with gasoline in the fuel tank or carburetor, all the fuel must be drained and the carburetor has to be cleaned to remove the debris and clear up blockages so you can use your generator safely. 

Want to skip the cleaning process? Replace your unit’s carburetor and your generator will fire right up. 

If you did store your generator properly by draining the fuel tank and carburetor according to your owner’s manual, great! You have a much easier job ahead of you. 

Removal from Storage: Take your generator out of storage and place it outside. 

Add Fresh Fuel: The first thing you’ll need to do is add fresh, regular octane fuel. Make sure you don’t overfill the tank so you can allow for fuel expansion. 

Check for Fuel Leaks: Next, you’re going to want to check for fuel leaks. Make sure your engine switch is off, then, turn your fuel valve on. Wait five minutes and then check the carburetor and air filter areas for leaks. If you do happen to discover a leak, you’ll need to disassemble your carburetor to clean it or replace it. 

Check the Oil: If you don’t find any leaks, you can go ahead and turn your fuel valve to off, use a dipstick to check the oil level, and add fresh oil if necessary.

Check the Air Filter: Next, take a look at your air filter and make sure there are no obstructions like bugs or cobwebs. Remove any obstructions you find and clean and replace the air filter according to your owner’s manual.     

That’s it! 

Fresh fuel, no leaks, fresh oil, clean air filter, and you’re good to go.

The next time you’re ready to store your generator, log splitter, snow blower, or other gasoline-powered product, resist the urge to just put it away quickly because you have other things to do. During an emergency, you may not have the luxury of time to complete this checklist properly.

Take the time now to do it right, and you’ll save yourself time and hassle later. Your future self will thank you!  

https://youtu.be/SEY_9-7lvJw

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season is predicted to be more active than usual and the latest outlook calls for 19 named storms, 8 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes (category 3 or higher). For comparison, this forecast is above the 30-year average of 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.

The official Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 to Nov 30, so now’s the time to make sure you’re prepared.

Here’s a quick list of items to check off your list ASAP.

Evacuation Plan: Know the recommended evacuation route, and keep your gas tank full. 

Supplies: Keep bottled water and other supplies on hand.

Hurricane Kit: Include a first-aid kit, medications, a battery-powered radio, flashlight, batteries, whistle and local maps.

Copy Important Documents: Back up your computer, and keep copies of important documents in a safety deposit box. 

Prepare Your Home: Secure or store outdoor items, and make sure your roof and shingles are in good shape to withstand strong winds.

Back Up Your Power: Determine what type of generator you need in case of a power outage. 

Last year’s storms, wildfires, and concerns over COVID contributed to the fact that the portable generator industry experienced record growth last year. This year, due to the same factors and ever-changing current events, people continue to buy portable generators at a record rate. Buy early to avoid having your item on backorder and to take advantage of pre-hurricane season promotions. 

When the power’s out, appliances you depend on, like your refrigerator, electric stove, lights and A/C can’t be used. Your food will go bad if you lose power to your refrigerator and replacing all of it is incredibly expensive. If you can’t charge your phone, use your computer or tune in to the local news, you’ll be cut off from communication, which is vital during a hurricane power outage. If you can’t cool your home because the power’s out, staying home could get unbearable, plus high temperatures and humidity can damage your home’s interior. 

A reliable generator ensures peace of mind during a power outage caused by a hurricane. There are two main types of generators for hurricanes: portable and home standby. 

A portable generator is perfect if you only want to back up a few essentials. Portable generators come in different sizes, run on either gasoline, propane or even natural gas, and don’t need to be installed.

If you’d like to power more than just the essentials, or even your whole home, consider a home standby generator. Standbys are connected to your propane or natural gas system and never need refueling. Your home standby generator starts automatically when the power goes out and returns to standby when power is restored, ensuring security and convenience for your family during a hurricane power outage.

Having a safe source of power during an emergency is priceless since now more than ever, the security and safety of your family is more important than anything else.

Choose Your Fuel: New Natural Gas Ready Generator With Tri-Fuel Technology Offers Powerful Flexibility

Imagine one generator designed with the ability to run off of your choice of three fuels. No need to imagine it any longer – Champion’s natural gas ready generator is a reliable source of power with the ultimate in fuel flexibility. When you’re not running your generator on natural gas, you also have the option of operating it on gasoline or propane. The ability to operate your generator on three types of fuel makes this one of the most versatile generators on the market.

Champion Power Equipment introduces their first generator with the flexibility to run off of natural gas, gasoline, or propane. No matter which fuel you choose, you’re all set to go right out of the box since Champion includes natural gas and propane hoses, plus a battery for the convenient electric start and engine oil. 

You’d think operating a generator like this would be complicated, especially if you want to switch fuels, but Champion makes it easy. The EZ Start dial allows you to safely select gasoline, propane (LPG), or natural gas (NG) as your fuel source, plus a propane/natural gas selector is located on the side panel.

Having all this flexibility at your disposal is great, but not at the risk of your family’s well-being when not used properly. Portable generator safety has always been the top priority for Champion, so of course, Champion’s new Tri-Fuel Generator also includes CO Shield® technology. Champion’s CO Shield offers peace of mind with powerful protection from hazardous carbon monoxide in case a generator is not used in an appropriate area. Generators should only be operated outside in open-air environments far away from windows, doors, and vents.

The natural gas ready unit includes a 25-foot NG hose kit, which includes a female quick connect end, a female flare fitting end and an NPT male adapter so you can easily connect your generator to your home’s natural gas source. 

When propane is a more convenient fuel source, simply use the supplied 6-foot propane hose with a built-in regulator to connect your generator to a propane tank. Your generator will run for up to 5 hours at 50% load when you use a 20-pound propane tank. 

If running your generator off of gasoline makes the most sense for your activities, you’re good to go since the 8.5-gallon fuel tank will run for up to 12.5 hours at 50% load when it’s full.

Champion’s new natural gas ready generator with Tri-Fuel technology is one more way Champion Power Equipment is constantly working to bring you advanced, innovative features to make sure you have access to flexible, reliable power whenever you need it.

View the new Champion Tri-Fuel Generator Specs →

Spring has arrived, which means it’s time to venture outside and get a handle on what you need to do to prepare for the new season. For most homeowners, spring cleanup includes getting rid of winter grime, pollen, mold, mildew, and dirt that has had time to accumulate. Instead of hiring a service company or renting equipment, using your own pressure washer to tackle your warm weather to-do list is cost-effective, efficient, and satisfying! 

Here are four ways your pressure washer can make all your spring cleanup projects a success. 

1. Pressure wash your home’s exterior

You and your family have persevered through sleet, snow, ice, and storms. Winter is finally clearing out for good, but it’s left a lot of dirt and debris behind. If you’ve noticed your home looks a little more dull or dingy than it did last fall, this is probably why. 

Whether your home’s exterior is brick, stucco, or vinyl, a pressure washer and a little time on the weekend is all it takes to brighten up your home and give it a fresh appearance for spring. Whether they’re dolly-style or wheelbarrow style, pressure washers are designed to be convenient and easy to maneuver. They’re also fast and easy to assemble right out of the box so you can get right to work. 

Follow all safety precautions in your manual, and make sure you understand the safest way to clean the materials that make up the surface of your home. Begin cleaning by choosing the right nozzle for the job. If you need detergent, you’ll want to have that ready to go as well. 

Keep the spray at a slight angle and use an even and consistent sweeping motion when you clean to minimize streaking and prevent damage. Champion pressure washers include a high-pressure hose. This handy tool helps extend your reach and makes it much easier to get to every area of your home that needs to be cleaned. 

2. Pressure wash your driveway, sidewalk, patio, or deck

It’s not just vertical surfaces like your home’s exterior that are affected by dirt and grime. You’ll find that winter grime has also been deposited on your driveway, sidewalk, patio, and deck.

Fortunately, the right pressure washer plus water and detergent can take care of winter buildup for you in no time. 

When cleaning horizontal surfaces outside your home, it’s important to choose the right nozzle since the size of the nozzle affects water flow and pressure. Champion pressure washers come with four quick-connect nozzles (0˚, 25˚,40˚, soap) to ensure maximum cleaning performance for any type of job. The quick-connect feature makes it easy to switch out nozzles as you clean.

Before you clean, make sure you clear the area of toys, furniture, potted plants, and anything else that might get in the way. Read up on the safest way to clean each surface since the recommended methods for pressure washing a concrete driveway are different than the methods for safely cleaning a wooden deck.  

3. Pressure wash your patio or porch furniture

If your patio or porch furniture has been sitting outside all winter, it definitely deserves a cleanup. Hand washing and scrubbing every inch of your outdoor furniture is exhausting and time consuming, but using a pressure washer is a fast, easy, and fun way to get your outdoor living spaces ready for the first barbecue of the season.

Champion designs their pressure washers with onboard storage for a high-pressure hose, trigger gun and spray wand to ensure you’ll have what you need when you need it. Having everything you need at your fingertips means you’ll be able to keep cleaning without having to stop and put things away.

First, remove all cushions and bring your furniture to a flat surface, clear of any items that might get in the way. Choose a low-pressure spray and start at the top of the furniture using a back and forth motion and working your way down. When the furniture is clean, don’t forget to rinse off any excess detergent and then let your furniture dry thoroughly before replacing your cushions. 

4. Pressure wash your vehicle, boat, or farm equipment

Whatever vehicle you need to clean, using a pressure washer is a faster, more efficient way to get the job done. 

Champion pressure washers include never flat tires for easy maneuvering as you work your way around each vehicle. 

When pressure washing a vehicle, you’ll want to proceed with caution and be sure you don’t do anything to damage the surface. Boats and farm equipment are going to need different cleaning methods than a car or a truck, so it’s important to read your vehicle owner’s manual first to prevent damage. Also, read up on the safest methods to clean your particular type of vehicle.

Many sources recommend using a regular garden hose first to rinse off loose mud, salt, or bugs. When you’re ready to use your pressure washer, test the pressure on the ground first, then start with a basic, no-detergent rinse using a wide angle nozzle and low pressure spray with a downward angle, keeping a distance of 2-3 feet from the vehicle.

A pressure washer can make all your spring cleanup projects a success

Unless your idea of fun is cleaning your outdoor surfaces with a scrub brush and a sponge, consider purchasing a pressure washer this spring. A pressure washer will save you time and money and make sure you’re able to get all your spring cleanup projects taken care of in record time.

The reliability of our electricity supply isn’t what it used to be. Utility companies have cut back on line maintenance and sometimes electricity demand across North America almost exceeds supply. The continent-wide, interconnected electrical grid means that power failures can ripple outwards like falling dominoes. It’s hard to find anyone who hasn’t experienced a power outage. Portable generators offer a safe and convenient way to provide power to a home when an outage occurs. And while none of this is news, what you might not realize is how far small-scale generator technology has advanced. It’s now more practical than ever for proactive homeowners to meet their own emergency power needs, and to meet it at lower cost than ever. Success begins by understanding your needs and options, and this is what you’ll get in this report.

Download to read the detailed report!

Winter storm season is upon us, which means the potential for power outages is real. A prolonged power outage is no joke since no power means no heat, and if heavy snow, blizzard conditions and icy roads are part of the mix, it might be challenging to even leave your home. Here are five things you can do to prepare for severe winter weather. 

1. Back up your power

The first priority, of course, is the health and safety of your family. If you lose power, do you have a plan for keeping your family safe and warm? If you don’t already have one, purchasing a reliable generator should be the first thing on your list. Health and safety come first, of course, but since so many people are now doing everything from home, a loss of power means you’ll lose your connection to the office and your children will lose their connection to school. Uninterrupted power is essential now for the new way of life we are living.   

There are two main types of generators for winter storm preparation: portable generators and home standby generators. 

A portable generator is great if you only want to back up a few essentials. Portable generators come in different sizes, they run on either gasoline or propane, and they don’t need to be installed. 

If you’d like to power more than just the essentials or even your whole home, you may want to have a standby generator installed. Standbys never need refueling since they’re connected to your propane or natural gas system. Your home standby generator starts automatically when the power goes out and returns to standby when power is restored, ensuring warmth, safety, and uninterrupted connections for your family during a winter storm power outage.

2. Prepare your home

It’s not too late to prepare your home in case a winter storm hits. To prevent expensive damage from burst water pipes, consider insulating pipes in exposed areas. When the temperature drops, remember to let water drip from faucets served by uninsulated outdoor pipes. Keep the warmth in and the cold out by installing storm windows or insulating your windows from the inside with plastic. You’ll also want to check around your doors for air leaks and add weatherstripping where needed. Keep an eye out for tree branches that might be a danger to your home if they fall. Trim those branches and don’t forget to make sure your roof and shingles are in top condition so they can withstand heavy snow and strong winds.

3. Stock up on supplies

If you live in an area where ice storms frequently cause power outages, make sure you have a first aid kit, medications, a portable phone charger, batteries, flashlights, and a battery-powered radio, as well as a three-day supply of water and non-perishable food for your family and your pets. It’s also smart to keep your gas tank full and have extra propane or gasoline on hand to fuel your portable generator. 

4. Secure and protect outdoor items

If you have items outdoors that could be damaged during a winter store, go ahead and store or cover them now. No matter how bad the weather is outside, for the safety of you and your family, it’s never an option to run your portable generator or inverter inside. The best way to protect your generator is with a Champion Storm Shield generator cover. You can run your generator with confidence in severe weather, since the cover withstands winds up to 70 mph, snow loads up to 18 inches and rain up to 12 inches a day.  

5. Purchase a snow blower

Unless your idea of fun is removing waist-high snow from your driveway with a shovel, you might consider purchasing a snow blower. Give that shovel and your back a well-deserved rest, and get a snow blower. A snow blower can help you clear your driveway after a snow storm in record time, and it could be a lifesaver if you need to leave your home during an emergency. Do you already own a snowblower? If so, don’t forget to get it serviced so it will be ready to go when you need it. 

If you’ve been putting any of these items on the back burner, get prepared now and you and your family will be able to face the unknowns of winter weather with peace and confidence.

Travel plans for pretty much everyone have been disrupted in a big way this year. However, many families are still planning to get away from it all and spend time together in the great outdoors, all while staying safe. How? In an RV. 

It’s RV season, and whether you’re brand new to RV camping or if you’ve been doing this for years, now’s the time to make sure you have the right generator to power everything you need so you can relax and have a great time. 

There are several important things to consider when you purchase a generator for your RV. 

Is your generator RV-Ready?

RV Ready means your generator has either a TT-30R or a 14-50R outlet so you can plug your RV directly into your generator without the need for a separate adapter. By the way, TT stands for travel trailer, and the R stands for receptacle. Look for a Champion generator that says “RV Ready.”

Is your generator quiet? 

Campgrounds and parks have noise ordinances for many reasons, and it’s wise to make sure the generator you purchase will stay well within the boundaries of what’s allowed. No one wants to be known as that obnoxious family with the loud generator, plus, you are probably camping to enjoy the wildlife, not scare it all away. Champion inverter generators are quiet and popular among seasoned RVers. 

How much power do you need? 

Do you plan to run an AC, fan, or heater in your RV? Obviously, you’ll need to run your lights and refrigerator, and then think about other items you’ll use and whether or not you’ll be using several of them at the same time, like your coffee maker, microwave, blender, or slow cooker. For entertainment, don’t forget about your TV, satellite receiver, laptop, and gaming console. Champion has a handy Generator Selector that makes it easy to think through your power requirements so you can see which generators will be the best fit for your needs. 

How much does your generator weigh? 

If your generator is on the heavy side, make sure you get one with a handle and a wheel kit so you can move it around on your campsite when you need to. Considering the weight of your generator is important if you plan to take it with you off-site for boating, fishing, or other activities. Many people really love the flexibility of Champion’s ultra lightweight inverters that are parallel ready. If you buy a parallel kit, you can use it to easily connect two compatible inverters together when you have greater power needs. Whenever you need lightweight, portable power on the go, grab one inverter and take it with you.

What type of fuel does your generator require?

You can choose a generator that runs on gasoline or propane or both. A Champion Dual Fuel generator can be operated right out of the box on gasoline or propane, and since only one fuel source is allowed to operate at a time, you can easily and safely switch between fuel options depending on which is most effective for your needs.

What other features are important to you? 

Portable generators for RV use are available with many other special features, such as electric push-button start, wireless remote start, economy mode, USB outlets, surge protector, and much more.   

Whether you plan to travel for the entire season, take a week or two with the family, or enjoy a quick weekend getaway, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’ve chosen the best portable generator for RV season.