We're Kohler Titanium Dealers — the highest certification Kohler awards. We've installed hundreds of whole-home generators throughout Manatee County. And every year, we turn away families who waited too long. Don't be one of them.
After Hurricane Ian made landfall in September 2022, parts of Manatee and Charlotte Counties were without power for 7-14 days. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, large portions of Manatee County went 5-10 days without electricity. These weren't freak outcomes — they're what a major landfalling hurricane does to the Florida Gulf Coast.
Without power for 10 days in August or September means: food spoilage in the first 24-48 hours. No air conditioning in temperatures above 90°. No refrigerated medication. No electric medical equipment. Hotel rooms across the county sold out immediately. Gas lines stretching multiple blocks. Portable generator fuel impossible to find.
Homeowners with whole-home standby generators experienced something different: they turned on automatically within seconds of the outage. The AC kept running. The refrigerator kept running. The lights stayed on. Their homes became places where neighbors and family could shelter. Some of them didn't even realize the power was out until they drove somewhere.
That's not an exaggeration. That's what we heard from our customers after Ian. The difference between having a standby generator and not having one isn't comfort — it's genuinely life-changing during a major storm.
We've installed generators from multiple manufacturers over 40 years. We chose to focus on Kohler because of how they perform in Florida's conditions specifically — the salt air, the humidity, the extended run times during hurricane season, and the reliability when you need it most.
Kohler's RDC2 controller is the most advanced automatic transfer control in the residential market. It monitors utility power continuously and responds to outages in 10 seconds or less. It runs weekly automatic exercise cycles to keep the engine ready. It logs every operation so you have a complete record. It integrates with OnCue Plus for remote monitoring.
Kohler's OnCue Plus system lets you — and us — monitor your generator from a phone or computer. You get alerts when it runs its weekly test, when it transfers to generator power, and if any fault conditions occur. We can diagnose most issues remotely before dispatching a tech. If you're a seasonal resident or travel frequently, this is essential.
Air & Energy holds Kohler's Titanium Dealer certification — the highest level awarded to residential dealers. This means our technicians receive factory training directly from Kohler engineers, we have access to technical support that most dealers don't, and we meet Kohler's standards for installation quality and customer service. Not every generator company in Manatee County has this. Ask yours.
Kohler standby generators run on your existing natural gas line or LP propane tank. There's no fuel to store, no fuel runs to make, and no supply chain to worry about after a storm. As long as gas service is available, your generator runs. For propane systems, a properly sized LP tank can typically run a whole-home generator for 1-2 weeks on a single fill.
This is the most common question we get. The honest answer: it depends on your specific home and what you want to power. But here are the general guidelines for Manatee County homes.
Powers lights, refrigerator, some outlets, and a window AC or small mini-split. Good for a small home or condo where you want basic livability without central AC. Not recommended for homes with central AC systems over 2 tons.
Handles most 1,500-2,500 square foot homes with a single 3-4 ton AC system. Powers AC, refrigerator, lights, TV, and most appliances simultaneously. Handles the startup surge of a standard central AC compressor. This is what we install most often in Bradenton, Palmetto, Ellenton, and Parrish.
For homes over 2,500 square feet, homes with two AC systems, pool equipment, or high-demand appliances like electric dryers or large hot tubs. Longboat Key, Lakewood Ranch, and Anna Maria Island properties often benefit from this range.
We don't guess at sizing. Before recommending a system, we calculate your home's actual electrical load — what you want to power, the startup surge requirements of your AC and appliances, and any special equipment. An undersized generator doesn't start your AC and keeps tripping breakers. An oversized one wastes money on equipment and fuel. Right-sizing matters.
A whole-home generator installation involves more than just setting a unit on a pad. Here's what the complete process looks like with Air & Energy.
A licensed technician visits your home to assess the installation site, calculate your electrical load, determine the best placement for the generator, and evaluate your gas supply (line size, meter capacity). This is a working visit, not a sales visit. We give you a fixed-price quote before you commit to anything.
Generator installations in Manatee County require electrical and mechanical permits. We handle all permitting. An unpermitted generator installation is a liability problem — your homeowner's insurance may not cover a loss involving unpermitted work, and FPL requires permits for generator interconnects. Any company that skips permitting is cutting a corner that affects you, not them.
If you're connecting to natural gas, we work with TECO Peoples Gas to ensure your meter and line have adequate capacity. If you're using propane, we coordinate with your LP supplier on tank sizing. This step is often underestimated — a generator connected to an undersized gas line will underperform under load.
Our crew sets the generator on a concrete pad (we pour it), runs the gas line, installs the automatic transfer switch at your electrical panel, connects and tests everything, and walks you through operation, testing, and the OnCue Plus monitoring setup. Total installation time is typically one full day.
Manatee County building inspectors inspect the installation before we close the permit. We're there for the inspection and handle any required adjustments. You receive a final certificate of occupancy for the installation, which is important documentation for your homeowner's insurance.
Yes. We install LP propane systems as an alternative to natural gas. We coordinate with your propane supplier on tank sizing. An above-ground 500-gallon propane tank can typically power a 20kW generator for 7-10 days of continuous use, more if you're running it only during daylight hours or as needed.
Yes — consistently. Studies by the Realtors association have found that whole-home standby generators add 3-5% to home value in markets where power outages are common. In Manatee County, where buyers increasingly prioritize storm preparedness, a permitted, properly installed Kohler generator is a meaningful selling point.
In February, March, or April: 2-4 weeks from consultation to completion. In May: 4-6 weeks. In June or later: we can't make any promises. Our schedule fills from both the residential demand and post-storm repair demand simultaneously. If you're reading this before May 31 and you want a generator before hurricane season, call us today.
FPL may proactively de-energize lines in areas facing direct impacts to prevent damage and protect crews during the storm. A properly installed standby generator with an automatic transfer switch isolates your home from the utility grid when it starts — this is required by code and prevents back-feeding power onto the utility lines.
Annual service including oil change, spark plugs, air filter, battery check, load bank test, and full inspection. Your generator should also run its automatic weekly exercise cycle — typically 10-15 minutes under no load. We offer annual generator maintenance contracts throughout Manatee County and can add it to your VIP home services plan.
A site assessment, load calculation, and fixed-price quote — no pressure, no commitment. We'll tell you exactly what size you need, what it costs, and when we can install it. Manatee County's Kohler Titanium Dealer since 1983.
