As I reported in previous blog postings about living “48 Hours Without Power,” my wife and I ran out of drinking water in just 36 hours.

A lack of water can quickly escalate from thirst to a laundry list of physical discomforts. And severe dehydration can lead to a serious medical emergency, especially for children and older adults. Plus, water is needed for food preparation and is critical to maintaining hygiene.

How much water?

But how much water will you need?

As we mentioned in our recent Hurricane Preparedness Quiz, the American Red Cross recommends stocking an emergency pantry with a minimum of three gallons of water per person — that is, one gallon per person, each day for three days.

For a family of four, that’s twelve gallons minimum. Plus, many experts say you should stock another two gallons of water per person for three days of cooking, cleaning up and personal hygiene. That’s another eight gallons for a family of four — a total of 20 gallons for just three days. More if you have pets.

Other sources recommend storing enough water for a week, or even two weeks, especially if you live in remote areas! Well, that makes some sense: after all more water is better and some power outages from recent storms have lasted a full week, sometimes two.

The practical solution.

So a family of four needs to stock a good 20 gallons of water, or perhaps double or triple more for protection against a long outage. That may make you think “big,” but unless we’re talking about off-the-grid living, suggestions about 55-gallon drums of treated water are generally overkill. Even those five-gallon jugs of water like those in an office water cooler are fairly impractical — they weigh about 40 pounds each!

Being prepared is simpler than that. The practical approach to buying and storing water for an emergency is as close as your grocery store and those one-gallon jugs that take up a whole aisle. Let’s say you’ve decided that you want to stock enough water for drinking, cooking and cleaning to support your family of four for three days — about 20 gallons. If the outage is longer than that, you’ll restock water or visit relatives until power is restored.

What will 20 gallons of water cost you? Not much — prices vary widely, but water is cheap. My local grocery store sells a gallon jug of drinking water for between 89¢ and $1.69. So twenty gallons of water will cost just $18-$34. If I bring my own empty jug, they’ll refill it for 39¢ — or less than $8 for 20 gallons.

Is stored water safe?

Yes. And actually all the discussion about frequently rotating stored water is, arguably, overthinking things. The Department of Homeland Security suggests rotating stored water every six to twelve months. But for all practical purposes, commercially bottled water should remain safe for years. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says that unopened, commercially bottled water stored in a dark, dry, cool place like a basement or closet will remain safe indefinitely. Source

Some bottled waters will display an expiration or best-if-used-by date. Those are actually the byproduct of a 1997 New Jersey state law requiring all food products to display an expiration date on the label of not more than two years from the date of manufacture. To avoid different labels and distribution just for New Jersey, many regional and national water producers started giving all water a two-year expiration date. Source

Can you just store your own tap water in plastic jugs? Many do, but the savings are minimal and the safety of your water will hinge on the obvious: is your jug clean at the bacterial level? It’s safer to buy commercially bottled jugs and leave them unopened.

While stored water is safe, that’s not to say that water that’s been sitting in a plastic jug for a year is necessarily going to taste great. For quality purposes, it’s best to rotate your water by simply replacing a jug or two every month. What to do with the water? Drink it!

With hurricane season now officially “open,” consider Tropical Storm Andrea’s recent bruising of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas as fair warning: the time to stockpile water (and your emergency pantry) and safeguard your family is now!

But we received many great ideas for emergency-pantry recipes — dishes created from non-perishable ingredients that don’t require a powered cooking source — so now and again we’ll share some more recipes with you.

Today, it’s a simple but tasty tuna spread recipe submitted by Jessica Reyes. This is one of those recipes with no quantities — you make it your way, with as much or as little of all ingredients as you choose. Substitutions and additions are encouraged!

THE RECIPE

Albacore Tuna Spread

Preparation time: about 10 minutes.

Ingredients:

• Albacore tuna, one or two cans, drained
• Onions, chopped
• Tomatoes, chopped
• Garlic, minced (or garlic powder)
• Olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Salt
• Pepper

Combine first four ingredients. Add olive oil and go easy on the balsamic vinegar. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve on bread, crackers or tortillas. Or just eat with a spoon!

The simple answer to that question is no. Since standby generators are custom fit and permanently installed into your home, no two installations are alike. A site visit must be made by an authorized Kohler Generators dealer to inspect your property and existing systems before an accurate cost estimate can be given.

There are some obvious equipment costs to owning a Kohler standby generator, such as the cost of the generator, the transfer switch, and the options you choose. However, it’s the installation work that influences cost the most.

There are many steps involved with installation, but there are three very important factors that drive the cost of installation:

LOCATION. The key to controlling installation costs is similar to the one for selling real estate: location, location, location. The more accessible the site is the less manpower it will take to get the unit set in place.

Just because your neighbor got a generator installed for X amount of dollars, don’t assume you can get one for the same price. Yours may be more or less expensive – it all depends on the location.

When choosing a location for your generator, thought must be given to both aesthetics and functionality. Even though the new Kohler home generator enclosures look very nice in appearance, chances are you’re not going to put it out in front of your home.

Ask yourself, “Where can the generator be located that it will fit in with the surrounding landscape, blend in with my home or business, and still be installed in a cost-effective manner?”

The level of the ground at the generator location is also important- the flatter the better. Your generator needs to be placed on top of a pad, so the more prep work it takes for your dealer to flatten the area for the pad, the more it will cost.

People are often tempted to stick a standby generator back in a corner somewhere or under a deck to hide it. This will not work as some generators are air-cooled and need adequate air flow around the units while they’re running to keep from overheating.

As a result, we recommend that the standby generator be installed at least three feet away from any landscaping structure to aid with airflow and leave room for maintenance.

Additionally, for your own safety, the exhaust end of your generator must be kept at least five feet away from any landscaping structure, doors, and windows.

FUEL. When you purchase a Kohler standby generator, you can choose to fuel it with liquid propane gas (LPG) or natural gas (NG).

Again, location is key because the farther the fuel lines have to be run through a basement and/or crawl space, the more it will cost. Also, larger generators require more fuel and will need bigger piping, which also affects cost.

ELECTRICAL. The same goes for electrical lines. The further the distance from your generator, the automatic transfer switch, and your home, the more wiring will be needed.

Again, larger generators require bigger wires. It’s also important to note that the type of automatic transfer switch you have also influences cost because the each model is installed differently.

Installation can be complicating because it often requires building permits and there are national and local codes that need to be met. But don’t worry, at Jayhawk Power Systems, Inc., we will help you every step of the way.

We perform complete turnkey installations at your home or small business. We’ll figure out the permits and coordinate with your utility companies so you don’t have to.

We’ll come over and evaluate your property to help find the ideal location to install your generator. Based on what we see and what your power needs are, we can recommend a generator, transfer switch, and fuel source that’s best fit for you.

With all this information we can then provide you with an estimate as to how much it will cost to have a Kohler standby generator on your property.

Now that you understand the different factors that influence the cost of owning a Kohler home generator, you can check out your own property and start to think about where you’d like to install one of your own.

Your authorized Kohler Generators dealer is a great resource and will be able to assist you, so give us a call or use this link to find the dealer near you: http://khlr.co/b9Uy.

Jayhawk Power Systems, Inc. is an authorized Kohler dealer serving NE Kansas since 2007. We specialize in the sale, installation, and service of Kohler residential standby generators. Our mission is to find the right generator for your needs, install it in the most cost-effective manner, and maintain it properly so it operates at its peak performance when you need it most. At Jayhawk Power Systems, Inc. – We’ve got WATTS you need!

“Sometimes a power outage can mean family fun — board games by flashlight. But that’s maybe one evening. Then when the kids start asking about TV and you don’t have Internet and your cell phones need recharging, it’s not so much fun.

And in the evening when you’re huddled around this propane heater — it’s one of those that’s supposedly safe indoors — it’s definitely not fun at all. You walk into a dark bedroom and out of habit flip on the light switch and … nothing.

That kind of sums it up. Things don’t work. The kids are getting kind of anxious. You wonder how cold it’s going to get, or how hot in the summer, and how long before you can take a hot shower.”

That’s George Mikuchonis of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania describing what happens during the first day of a power outage. And, unfortunately, he should know. When Mikuchonis and his wife moved back to their home state from a stay in Texas in 1999, their house-warming greeting was a five-day outage.

“We roughed it for days on pasta that we soaked in a pot of cold water,” says Mikuchonis. “Luckily we’re in town and the city water kept working so we could take a cold shower and flush toilets.”

But the ordeal lasted four more days, and Mikuchonis’ and his neighbors’ patience was especially tried by knowing that power was restored in some parts of town days before the lights came on in their neighborhood.

Mikuchonis vowed to be better prepared and replaced the electric stove with a gas version — at least they’d be able to cook during an outage.

But from 1999 to the present frequent outages continued; Mikuchonis says he can’t even remember how many times they’ve lost power.

“It’s a mystery to us why we lose power for two days or for an hour or why the lights flicker when the weather is fine — and we’re in town not out in the country,” says Mikuchonis.

After more outages, Mikuchonis replaced his electric hot water heater with a gas model — now the family could take hot showers during an outage. But then after two more unexplained outages in early October of 2012, Mikuchonis had had enough.

He picked up the phone and called Tom White at Critical Systems in nearby Pocono Summit, Pennsylvania to talk about installing a Kohler home generator.

How did he decide on Kohler? “I went online and looked at everything I could find about generators — portables, whole house standby generators, the ratings and reviews of different manufacturers, the different units.

I crossed a portable off the list because a neighbor has a portable, and when he fires that up, the whole neighborhood knows about it — it’s very loud! Besides, I wanted a whole-house solution.

Then I started reading about standby generators and pretty much everything I read about a Kohler Generators was outstanding.”

When White visited the Mikuchonis residence to analyze their power needs, White suggested a Kohler 14RESA unit capable of powering the entire house — nothing bigger was needed.

Mikuchonis looked up the model online and found that the Kohler 14RESA had been named one of the “Hot 50 Products of 2010” by Green Builder magazine and that Kohler was rated the highest quality brand of home generators in both 2009 and 2010 in an independent brand study sponsored by Builder Magazine. “That was it for me!” says Mikuchonis.

Critical Systems installed the Kohler home generator the following Saturday, just in time for Hurricane Sandy to knock out power in Stroudsburg about two days later.

More than one million people in Pennsylvania lost power, some for over a week.

“But here at the Mikuchonis household the Kohler kicked in, and in about ten seconds we had full power — lights, AC, full kitchen and bathroom, laundry … absolutely everything! And it’s clean power for computers, the Internet, we even had satellite TV. I was shocked,” says Mikuchonis.

“It’s quiet power, too — we can barely even hear the generator running. It’s like a lawnmower in the back yard, but muffled.”

If the Mikuchonis still had the electric stove and hot water heater, the home generator could have run those, too. “We should have bought a Kohler years ago,” says Mikuchonis.

The only complication was Mikuchonis’ feeling of guilt that his neighbors were without power. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he installed a Kohler generator next,” says Mikuchonis of his good neighbor.

“Maybe in the years to come we’ll all install Kohlers, and we can become the street in Stroudsburg that always has power!”

Critical Systems Generator Services is a power generation company that specializes in back-up generator planning, site preparation, service and rental power solutions. Their network of electricians are equipped with technology and resources to provide emergency service 24/7.

They service all of Northeast Pennsylvania & New Jersey and specialize in remote locations, such as; cell & radio towers, hunting cabins, homes and pump stations.

If you live in a region that’s prone to bad weather and power outages like New England, you understand the importance of protecting your home or small business with backup power. After Superstorm Sandy and Snowstorm Nemo, having a backup power system is virtually a must.

However, purchasing a permanent standby generator can be intimidating. Thankfully, Kohler Generator dealers are both knowledgeable and very easy to work with.

At Powers Generator Services, we’ll walk you through every step of the way and outlined the typical process of buying a generator below, so you’ll know what to expect when you work with us.

1. Find your local authorized Kohler Generators dealer. They are your best resources. They’re also the same people you’ll want to contact for installation questions and when you’re ready to buy.

The easiest way to find a dealer near you is to enter your zip code here: http://khlr.co/cfux. With this link, you’ll find their contact information and a map that shows you where they’re located.

Powers Generators services all of New England. Here’s a link to our website if you’d like to learn more about us: http://www.powersgenerator.com.

2. Determine if a KOHLER standby generator will fit on your property. Next, you’ll need to determine whether or not your home or small business can accommodate a generator, so you’ll want to make sure that your property has enough space to install a generator.

There are also some rules and safety regulations regarding where your generator can be installed. Don’t worry, we’ll come over and take a look at your property and make recommendations as to where your generator can safely be installed.

3. Work together to find the generator that fits your needs. After ensuring that your property will accommodate a generator, we’ll discuss what you want the generator to support. You’ll need to prioritize what will need to be powered during an outage.

Some homeowners want to have the generator support their entire home and others are only concerned about more critical items, such as the sump pump, air conditioning and refrigeration, in which case a smaller size generator would suffice.

Once we understand your priorities and your budget, we can help you choose the right generator for you.

4. Select your generator’s fuel type. KOHLER residential generators can be powered by either liquid propane gas (LPG) or natural gas (NG), so you’ll need to make sure you have adequate fuel to support your generator.

For LPG, we’ll provide a recommendation of how many gallons you’ll need to have on your property to support your generator.

For NG, we’ll provide you with information that you’ll need to give to your gas company so they can determine if your gas meter can support your generator.  If not, they might have to upgrade your gas meter. 

5. Let the installation begin. Once you choose a generator and determine its fuel type, the next step is to begin the installation process.

If your dealer is a full service generator company like us, then they’ll provide all the equipment and perform a turn-key electrical installation for you. We’ll even take care of the local electrical permits and partner with a gas fitter for the gas connection.

A typical installation takes about 1-3 full days depending on the complications and the demand for generators, so it’s very important to plan ahead of time.

6. Maintain your new generator. After your installation is complete, it’s really important that you follow the maintenance schedule that’s outlined in your owner’s manual and register your generator for its limited warranty here: http://khlr.co/g1Tw.

At Powers Generator Service, we’ll take care of the registration and initial start-up for you. And with a good Kohler Generator dealer like us, we’ll stand behind you with preventative maintenance, repairs, and emergency service 24/7, 365 days a year.

This will give you peace of mind that when your generator needs to perform, it will, and if you ever experience any issues, a qualified service technician will respond promptly to get your generator up and running.

Powers Generator Service is a full service generator company that has been providing New England homeowners, businesses and contractors with complete turn-key standby generator solutions for over 18 years. They are focused on being experts in the generator industry, doing business with integrity and providing quality service – a commitment that is backed by an A+ standing with the Better Business Bureau.

Ever wonder who actually wins an online contest? Meet Stephanie Thurow of Richfield, Minnesota, the winner of the Kohler Generators “Dine in the Dark” sweepstakes, part of last fall’s Great Hurricane Blowout, an emergency preparedness campaign by the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH®).

Kohler Generators asked participants to submit their best electricity-free recipe – a dish that can be prepared during an outage because it doesn’t require a powered cooking source.

The grand prize was a trip for two to The American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin, a Forbes Five-Star resort hotel and the Midwest’s only AAA Five Diamond Resort Hotel. Plus, a spa treatment at Kohler Waters Spa, recently awarded the 2013 Five-Star Award by Forbes Travel Guide, the first five-star spa in Wisconsin and one of only 35 worldwide. We talked to Stephanie after she and her husband returned from Kohler.

Q: Congratulations on winning! How was your visit to Kohler?

Stephanie: Pretty incredible! We had a couple’s spa treatment on Saturday, dinner at our choice of Kohler restaurants on Saturday night — we went to this great place at Blackwolf Run golf course — and an absolutely fabulous room at The American Club.

It was nice that everything was taken care of, but it was so much fun we’re thinking of making it an annual anniversary trip. With the spa and the wonderful food and the small community, it’s all right there — like it’s your own resort!

Q: How did you come up with your recipe for a Cannellini Bean Dip? [see recipe below]

Stephanie: The day before I learned about the contest my daughter — she’s three — and I had made a quesadilla with beans and flavored it with cumin and garlic powder. We like Mexican food. So I thought I could make that into a creamy bean dip by adding olive oil.

It’s so simple: I let my daughter mash up the beans, and then we added the salt and spices and that’s it, we’re done! It’s a delicious nutty flavor, nutritious and nothing needs refrigeration — perfect for a power outage.

Q: Do you experience power outages?

Stephanie: We have a lot of storms go through here and they knock out power pretty regularly, though most of them don’t last more than a half-day or so. But when I was in Minneapolis 15 years ago we lost power for about a week — straight-line winds, trees down everywhere, power was out in the whole neighborhood for almost a week. Luckily, we had a generator and that experience has always made a big impression on me. Made a world of difference.

But we don’t have a generator in our new house, and I worry for my little daughter when the power goes out. As an adult, I find that losing power is inconvenient and even unsettling. The last time we had an outage my daughter had just turned two and she didn’t understand.

The whole house gets very quiet and eerie — there’s no refrigerator or air conditioner or furnace running. And it was starting to get dark and she just couldn’t articulate what was wrong.  I think you feel more secure when you have lights, when you can put the yard light on. It’s almost like you turn on the outside light to protect the house.

I don’t really think anyone is going to break into our house just because there’s no power, but it’s a loss of control — it’s unnerving.

Q: Do you have an emergency pantry?

Stephanie: We do now! I think the whole Great Hurricane Blowout campaign and the Dine in the Dark contest has made us much more aware of what we need to stock in our pantry so we’re ready for the next outage.

We already have a pretty deep pantry because I do a lot of canning and preserving. And we always have beans on hand. I also found the “48 Hours Without Power” post on the Kohler Home Generators Blog post to be a really good guide of what you need for an emergency pantry.

Q: Any tips for the recipe?

Stephanie: Does your emergency pantry have a manual can opener?

THE RECIPE

Bean and Garlic Spiced Dip

Preparation time: about 5 minutes.

 Ingredients:

• Cannellini beans (white kidney beans — or substitute with black beans or pinto beans), one can
• Olive oil
• Sea Salt
• Minced garlic or garlic power
• Spices

Drain the beans. Mash up beans with potato masher or fork. Stir in olive oil until you have a creamy consistency. Add a tablespoon of water if you prefer a thinner dip. Add salt to taste. Add whatever spices you like: perhaps onion powder, cumin, paprika, chili power or cayenne pepper.

When it comes to being fully prepared for a hurricane, knowledge is power. Take this quick true/false quiz to test your preparedness smarts! Then click on the links to learn more.

#1: You should stock your emergency kit with plenty of candles and waterproof “hurricane” matches.

 False. Candles pose a serious fire hazard. It’s safer to use a battery-operated flashlight or lantern.

 FEMA offers a downloadable “Are You Ready” guide to assembling an emergency supply kit here: http://khlr.co/gWLL.

 #2: Your emergency pantry should include one gallon of water per person per day.

 True. The American Red Cross recommends stocking an emergency pantry with a minimum of three gallons of water per person — that is, one gallon per person, each day for three days. Don’t forget that pets also need water.

Download the handy and informative American Red Cross “Safety Check List” here: http://khlr.co/gWLP.

 #3: Taping an X on windows will protect you from flying glass.

Marginally true, but mostly false. According to the Institute for Business and Home Safety, tape does not protect your windows from flying debris. It might keep more of the glass together when impacted, but it will not keep it in place. The best window protection is covering them with sheets of plywood or hurricane shutters.

Source: http://khlr.co/gWLV.

 #4: You can take your dog to the evacuation shelter.

False. Pets kept at evacuation centers can sometimes pose a risk of disease or injury to other shelter inhabitants. Many disaster evacuation shelters (and specifically Red Cross centers) cannot accept pets because of states’ health and safety regulations. Only service animals that assist people with disabilities are allowed in most evacuation centers. Better to prearrange care for your pets with family, friends or a vet in case you need to evacuate your home.

 Source: http://khlr.co/gWLX.

#5: A portable generator is for camping, while a permanently installed standby generator will power my home during an outage caused by a hurricane.

True. A portable generator is ideal for camping, tailgating or a work site where temporary power comes in handy. But a portable generator isn’t designed to power an entire home. Even if you want to use a portable generator to run just a refrigerator, be aware that the portable has to be set up away from the home to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, wired with properly rated extension cords back into the home, and refueled every few hours during a power outage.

Learn More About Backup Power

An automatic standby generator is the best option for homeowners because it connects permanently to a home much like a central air conditioner. A transfer switch constantly monitors utility power, automatically provides generator power in the event of an outage and runs safely and continuously on natural gas or propane. A standby generator can power critical and sophisticated appliances and systems in your home, including lights, heating/cooling systems, refrigerators, sump and well pumps, home security systems and computers.

Kohler Generators has produced a six-part series of informative videos to help educate homeowners about residential standby power starring Ed Del Grande– a Master pipefitter, plumber, and licensed home improvement contractor. Click here to visit KOHLERGenerators.com to watch the videos. Or use the links and playlist below:

• What is a Standby Generator?
• How Standby Generators Work
• Portable Generators vs. Standby Generators
• Things to Consider
• Generator Installation 101
• Why Kohler Generators

FLASH Partners

Kohler Generators is proud to be a Partner Organization with the non-profit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH®), the country’s leading consumer advocate for strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters. FLASH® offers a wealth of publications, resources, videos and programs on their website: http://khlr.co/gWL0.

Natural disasters and severe weather have given people across the country a reason or two to help protect their homes or small businesses with backup power— especially after Superstorm Sandy when millions of people were left without it. The effects of the storm were felt throughout the Mid-Atlantic, and in Pittsburgh, people braced for storms like Sandy and, fortunately, dodged the bullet.

Pittsburgh probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when thinking of cities known for bad weather, but we’re no strangers to heavy rain, snow, and the occasional tornado. Remember “Snowmageddon” in 2010? The blizzard dumped more than 20 inches of snow on our hills and valleys and knocked out power for more than a week in some areas.

For Convenience and Comfort

Regardless of the cause, power outages are real inconveniences. Fortunately, you can help reduce the time without power and make it a better experience for your family by equipping your house with a home generator. As soon as the utility grid goes down, it only takes about ten seconds for a Kohler home generator to restore power. It doesn’t matter if someone is home or not because the home generator automatically starts up to keep power flowing, providing additional peace of mind.

For Continued Protection

Think of it as your security blanket. A backup home generator can help protect your business by making sure your security systems are on. It also helps keep your family comfortable by powering the heat and air conditioning, which is especially important for children, pets, and the elderly. During the winter, home generators help protect your house by making sure the heat stays on. That way pipes are kept from freezing and sump pumps continue working to prevent flooding. As a result, your personal belongings and property are kept safe from water damage and your Pittsburgh “man caves” don’t become dark, damp and cave-like basements that are a better fit for Batman.

A Permanent Solution for Unpredictable Problems

A portable generator might power a radio and a grill for a few hours of tailgating, but a home generator is there for the long haul. When it comes down to it, Pittsburghers who choose to have permanently installed home generators are investing in long-term protection. For our fellow Pittsburghers and homeowners in general, we know it’s very important to protect what’s most precious to you.  To make sure your homes are powered through rain, wind, snow, or a tornado– you have the power to be prepared by investing in a reliable home generator and working with trusted business services to do the job.

No matter what city you’re in, backup power can save the day, often when it’s least expected. At Gillece Services, we help homeowners and business owners choose backup generators to help them endure the power outages brought on by Mother Nature and the ones that happen at random leaving neighborhoods in the dark.

Tom Gillece is founder and president of Gillece Services, a 30+ year Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electrical, and Waterproofing company in Pittsburgh. Family owned and operated, Gillece provides 24/7 emergency, maintenance, repair and replacement services throughout western Pennsylvania. Built on Trust, Ambition, and Compassion, Gillece was voted one of the best businesses in Pittsburgh two years in a row.

The name KOHLER is much more than six letters affixed to plumbing fixtures and power products. It’s an experience that you feel. Whether you’re relaxing at the spa, eating chocolates, riding your lawn mower, or watching TV while the rest of your block is without power, the feeling is the same. This feeling comes from Kohler Co.’s belief that people deserve to experience a higher quality of life, and we strive to bring that quality and convenience to all.

Many of us have encountered KOHLER plumbing products before. In fact, I brush my teeth over a KOHLER sink every day. But what most people don’t know is that the Kohler Co. made its start by manufacturing farming replacement parts out of cast iron. Our most historical piece is, of course, the bathtub—Kohler Co.’s first plumbing product. We made our first bathtub in 1883 by coating a cast iron water trough with enamel, and it became the essence of cleanliness with an elegant design. Over time, more and more homes were filled with our fixtures, and the bathtub’s popularity grew as it made personal hygiene more convenient and sophisticated for the average farmer.

However, life on the farm still had its limitations. In the early 1900’s, electricity was fairly new and remote locations like farms and small towns had no access to such a thing. As a result, farmers had to use inefficient battery powered “electric plants,” which were machines that could only create enough of a small charge to power a few light bulbs.

Even though they were ineffective, farmers had no other choice but to rely on those “electric plants” to help them work through the night. That was true until Kohler Co. found a way to help improve their lives.

In 1920, Kohler Co. developed the KOHLER Automatic Power and Light, and it was the first modern generator ever to be powered by a gasoline engine and generated almost 3.5 times more power than the battery-powered “electric plants” mentioned above. Having the ability to harness power gave farmers access to not just lights, but running water and electric appliances. It practically revolutionized the way people lived their daily lives, and Kohler Co.’s drive to provide gracious living remains the same to this day.

No matter the product, Kohler offers a high standard of quality and convenience that you can feel when experiencing any of our products or services. So the next time you’re relaxing at the spa, eating chocolates, riding your lawn mower, or watching TV while the rest of your block is without power, you’ll understand why KOHLER is much more than just six letters.

It was the worst of times.

That’s when the so-called “Halloween nor’easter” roared through the mid-Atlantic states, dumping up to ten inches of wet, heavy snow on the Donaldson home in Hellertown, Pennsylvania, just across Interstate 78 from Bethlehem, home to legendary Bethlehem Steel.

“We didn’t know how important it was to have backup power until the storm brought snow that weighed down the trees, and they were snapping and going down all over the place — that knocked out our power for four days!” says Donaldson. “Without a power outage plan, we were scared and unsure of what to do or how to react. We just sat in front of the fireplace in the living room with our winter coats trying our best to stay warm, burned all the wood we had and worried about our safety and whether the pipes would freeze. Since our well pump and furnace blower run on electricity, we knew we had some serious problems! And when I realized that the pressure-assist toilets also need power and so does the garage door and of course we don’t have lights, well, there aren’t a lot of options. It was difficult not to panic, and for the next four days we had a taste of how people lived in the 1700s — with no electricity, no lights, no central heat. How good modern life can be!”

What was the first thing that Donaldson and his wife needed? “Water!” says Donaldson. “We had filled up the bathtubs, but it turns out bathtub drains aren’t designed to hold a seal for days. We were very, very fortunate that the local hardware store was open on generator power, and they still had five-gallon water jugs we could buy, but they were going fast.”

Since refrigerators and freezers can only keep food safe for a very limited amount of time during an outage, the Donaldsons ate their food as fast as they could but still ended up losing a lot of it in the long run. The storm also brought low temperatures, so they slept under extra blankets and felt lucky that winter cold hadn’t set in. “If we had January temperatures, we would have had to find a motel or a spare bedroom with a relative for our own safety.”

It was the best of times.

On the heels of that experience, John had a Kohler 20 RESA home generator installed in early 2012. As time progressed, he wondered if they’d ever use it. Then Superstorm Sandy battered the Lehigh Valley with heavy rain and 60mph wind gusts that downed trees, damaged homes and started transformer fires.

“When the grid went down, we were afraid of having to experience another outage. We crossed our fingers that the Kohler was going to work as advertised,” says Donaldson. “That whole 18th Century scenario flashed through my mind, but within seconds we heard the Kohler generator kick in — what a relief!”

For the Donaldsons, everything they had assigned to be powered by the generator worked fine — the well pump, the furnace blower, lights and power in the key rooms, the fridge and freezer, the garage doors, the television and computers. “We were one of the few houses in the area that had lights,” says Donaldson. “You feel a little guilty in a way but also a little smart.”

To help keep the rest of the family safe and comfortable, the Donaldsons invited their daughter and her children down from Westchester County north of New York City to stay with them until power was restored at their home nine days later. “She and her husband had been thinking of buying a generator but dithered on it,” adds Donaldson. “So we shared our power with them and ended up having a family get-together.”

Donaldson says he and his wife dithered before buying a Kohler generator themselves, but “we’ve never regretted it for a second. It’s already worth every penny. I’m a big fan of living in this century!”