Best warranty in standby generators
A 14 kW standby kit with a 200 A automatic switch and a 10-year generator warranty; Champion lists it for the 50 states only, so it is a US pick.
Our score: 8.1/10 out of 10Researched, not lab-tested
- Rated output on propane
- 14 kW
- Rated output on natural gas
- 12.5 kW
- Noise (maker's rating)
- 62 dB(A)
- Lowest operating temperature
- -22 °F
Is it right for you?
Pros
- 10-year limited warranty on the generator (2 years on the switch)
- Includes a 200 A service-entrance automatic transfer switch
- 62 dB(A) at 23 ft, per Champion
- 24 V starting system rated down to -22 °F
Cons
- Listed ETLus and for the 50 states: no Canadian mark stated
- Needs a licensed installer and an aXis-compatible switch
- 12,500 W on natural gas, less than on propane
- Fuel-use figures on Champion's page don't agree
- Best for
- US homeowners who want an automatic whole-house kit with the longest warranty in this group, installed by a licensed electrician and gas fitter.
- Not for
- Canadian homes, and anyone wanting to reuse an existing non-aXis transfer switch.
Our verdict
Champion’s 100837 is a complete US standby kit: a 14 kW air-cooled generator (14,000 W on propane, 12,500 W on natural gas, from a 754 cc V-twin) plus a 200 A service-entrance automatic transfer switch in a NEMA 3R outdoor enclosure. Its standout is the warranty: Champion gives ten years on the generator and two on the switch, the longest in our standby group. It is also the quietest on paper, at 62 dB(A) measured at 23 ft, and Champion rates its 24 V starting system for starts down to -22 °F.
The aXis controller talks to the switch over the home’s own wiring, so no separate control wires are run, and Champion sells load management modules (100868) to shed big loads. The limits: Champion lists the system as ETLus for the 50 states, with no Canadian mark, so it is a US-only pick. It also needs an aXis-compatible switch, which the kit includes, and Champion’s page gives two different full-load propane figures, so we don’t quote one.
Setup and safety
A permanent electrical and gas installation. A licensed electrician fits the service-entrance transfer switch and a gas fitter runs the gas line, usually under a building permit. US permit checklists typically ask for a site plan, the generator and switch specs, a single-line diagram, a sign at the service equipment and exhaust kept away from openings (Fontana, CA example); check your own building department. Keep CO alarms inside the house as well.
Exercise and upkeep. The system runs a 15-minute exercise on a schedule it sets, and only when the controller is in AUTO, so leave it there. Champion’s manual calls for an oil and filter change after the first 5 hours, then every 2 years or 100 hours when the maintenance light comes on, with an oil check monthly or every 24 running hours. It recommends 0W-40 full synthetic oil and an F7RTC (or NGK BPR7ES) spark plug. The maintenance hour meter counts down from 100 hours: reset it after each service.
In Canada, choose a standby generator certified for Canadian use, such as the Generac 14 kW. Compare every standby generator we compare.
Specs
Champion 14kW aXis Home Standby Generator with 200A Transfer Switch (100837)
Standby
| Rated output on propane | 14 kW |
|---|---|
| Rated output on natural gas | 12.5 kW |
| Automatic transfer switch included | Yes |
| Lowest operating temperature | -22 °F |
| Transfer switch rating | 200 A |
Other details
| Noise (maker's rating) | 62 dB(A) |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 10 years |
| Fuel | Natural gas or propane (standby) |
| Weight | 439 lb |
| Safety listing | ETLus (per Champion) |
Maker’s figures, checked 3 Nov 2026.
Champion 14 kW aXis questions
What does the 10-year warranty cover?
The generator, for ten years under Champion’s limited home standby warranty; the automatic transfer switch has two years. Read the warranty terms for what installation and maintenance records Champion expects, and keep the service history, since the manual sets oil and filter changes every 2 years or 100 hours.
Can I reuse my existing transfer switch?
Not with the aXis controller as designed. The generator talks to its aXis switch over the home’s wiring, and the kit includes a 200 A aXis switch for that reason. A non-aXis switch is the wrong match: ask your electrician before planning around one.
Will it start in deep cold?
Champion rates its 24 V starting system for starts down to -22 °F. Its manual recommends 0W-40 full synthetic oil and lists other grades (5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40) by temperature, so match the oil to your winters.