Champion 8.5kW Home Generator Rated “Best Buy” – Consumer Reports

A recent product review at Consumer Reports Home Generators rated the 8.5kW Champion Generator Model 100777 as their Best Buy among the generators reviewed.

The Champion 12.5kW (Model 100179) tied with Generac in the Large Home Generator category with a score of 93 and earned a “Recommended” Rating.

Norwall offers both generators rated by consumer reports in their online catalog under Champion. The 8.5kW Model 100177 includes an indoor/outdoor 50-Amp Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS.) The 12.5-kilowatt package adds a 100-Amp Indoor/Outdoor Automatic Transfer Switch.

Champion Home Backup Generators start automatically within moments after the power fails. A standby generator installation permanently connects the generator to the home. Unlike a portable, no one connects it during an outage to restore power. It runs on natural gas or propane which means no refueling in the rain or the dark. No extension cords to worry about. A thief can’t pick it up and run off.

Moreover, the power quality compares with that supplied by the electric utility.

The Champion “… model delivers steady, reliable power, earning ratings of Excellent in both our power delivery and power quality tests.” ~Consumer Reports Generators

Champion designs their home backup generators to exacting standards for home installation in cities, suburbs, and country living. Quiet and reliable, they make an affordable and perfect fit for homeowners everywhere.

Power Expert: Champion Home Standby Features and Benefits

Champion Home Backup Generators

Champion manufactures 8.5kW to 22kW home backup generators and packages them with Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS.) The ATS makes the connection between the generator and the home’s electrical system. It automatically chooses the source of electric power for the home. Usually, the power comes from the electric utility which is kept isolated from the generator.

When the power fails and after the generator starts, the ATS isolates the electric utility and connects the generator to the home. This necessary feature ensures power from the generator does not endanger a utility worker—a dangerous condition known as backfeeding.

“These are really the tools you want if you live in an outage-prone area … when you have an outage you’ll barely even notice since they kick on automatically and can power just about everything in your house.” ~Dave Trezza, generator testing, Consumer Reports.

Champion Standby Generators guard against dangerous conditions and eliminate the dangers often associated with using portable generators to power a home while offering benefits that portables can’t match.

  • Automatic Start – Run – Stop when the power fails and is later restored.
  • Keeps major appliances like refrigerators and freezers working through the outage.
  • Runs the furnace and central air conditioner.
  • Reliable, Clean, Utility-Grade Power within moments after the power fails.
  • Sump pumps and home security systems keep running.
  • Intelligent Demand Control Load Management ensures efficient use of generator power.
  • 10-Year Limited Warranty—Double the industry standard 5 years.
  • Champion Milwaukee Series Four-Cycle Engines
  • LPG (Propane) or NG (Natural Gas) Operation
  • Standby Generator Review—Consumer Reports—Best Buy
Buyer Guide—How Much Power Do I Need?

Champion 8.5kW – 22kW Home Backup Generators

A Champion home standby generator installed in the backyard of a house with landscaping plants, a back porch, and shrubs

Norwall has Champion Home Standby Generators available in 8.5kW, 12.5kW, 14kW and 22kW models. Installation requires an automatic transfer switch—choose a model that includes an ATS unless you have special requirements or are replacing an existing standby generator. Verify any existing ATS will work with your new generator.

Transfer switches have an indoor (NEMA 1) rating or outdoor (NEMA 3R) rating. NEMA 3R allows installation outdoors or indoors, but NEMA 1 only allows indoor installation. Coordinate with your electrician installer before deciding—and make sure your local building code department is on board before you start. Your electrician installer will handle that part of the job for you.

A Whole House Automatic Transfer Switch controls the source of power for your entire home. Normally it supplies power from the utility and switches to the generator during a power outage. The current rating in amps must meet or exceed the rating of your existing electrical service. A 200-Amp ATS will work just fine with a 100-Amp or 150-Amp service.

A Load Center ATS supplies specific circuits with generator power during an outage, and utility power the rest of the time. During an outage, only the circuits supplied by the load center ATS will have power. The homeowner chooses the circuits to receive generator power during installation. The rest of the home will not have power during an outage. This arrangement allows the generator to supply the most critical circuits.

Champion Power Equipment Information

Champion Generator + Transfer Switch Bundles