Cold Weather Kits for Standby Generators
If your standby generator is installed in a region where temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius), a cold weather kit is strongly recommended. These kits keep the battery warm, maintain oil viscosity, and ensure the generator starts reliably on the first attempt during winter outages, which is exactly when you need it most. A generator that fails to start in a winter storm because of a dead battery or thickened oil defeats the entire purpose of having backup power.
What a Cold Weather Kit Includes
Battery Warmer
The battery warmer is the most critical component. A cold battery loses cranking power rapidly as temperatures drop. At 0 degrees Fahrenheit, a fully charged battery retains only about 50% of its cranking capacity compared to its performance at 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The battery warmer wraps around or sits beneath the battery, maintaining it at a temperature that preserves full cranking power regardless of ambient conditions. This is a thermostatically controlled element that draws minimal electricity and operates only when needed.
Oil Heater (Crankcase Heater)
Engine oil thickens in cold temperatures, increasing the resistance the starter motor must overcome to turn the engine. A crankcase heater keeps the engine oil warm enough to maintain proper viscosity for easy starting. This reduces starter motor strain, decreases the time to reach operating temperature, and reduces engine wear during cold starts. The oil heater is typically a small heating element installed in or on the crankcase that runs continuously at low wattage when the generator is in standby mode.
Enclosure Heater (Some Models)
Certain cold weather kits include a small enclosure heater that prevents condensation buildup inside the generator housing. Condensation on electrical components, control boards, and wiring connections can cause corrosion, short circuits, and starting failures over time. The enclosure heater maintains the interior temperature above the dew point, keeping critical components dry.
When You Need a Cold Weather Kit
A cold weather kit is recommended for installations in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6 and colder (roughly the northern half of the United States), any location where temperatures regularly reach 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below, mountain and high-altitude regions with extreme cold, and areas where the generator may sit idle for weeks between exercise cycles during cold months. If you live in a southern or temperate climate where freezing temperatures are rare and brief, a cold weather kit is generally not necessary. The generator battery and oil will perform adequately in mild conditions.
Brand-Specific Kits
Cold weather kits are not universal. Each generator brand and model requires a specific kit designed to fit that unit. A Generac cold weather kit will not fit a Kohler generator and vice versa. To order the correct kit, you need your generator model number and serial number. Generac, Kohler, Cummins, and Briggs & Stratton all offer factory cold weather kits as optional accessories. Many installers in cold climates include the cold weather kit as a standard part of the installation package.
Installation
Cold weather kits can be installed at the same time as the generator (recommended) or added later as a retrofit. Installation is straightforward and typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. The battery warmer connects to the battery terminals or wraps around the battery housing. The oil heater installs on or in the crankcase. Both components draw power from the utility line to stay active while the generator is in standby mode. A licensed technician or experienced homeowner with basic mechanical skills can install most kits following the manufacturer instructions.
What Happens Without a Cold Weather Kit
Without a cold weather kit in freezing climates, you risk slow or failed starting due to reduced battery cranking power, increased engine wear from thick oil during cold starts, potential condensation damage to electrical components over multiple freeze-thaw cycles, and the possibility that the generator will not start at all during the most severe winter storms when you need it most. The cost of a cold weather kit ($100 to $300 depending on the brand and model) is minimal compared to the cost of a generator that cannot perform its primary function during a winter emergency.
IB Lighting carries cold weather kits for Generac, Kohler, Cummins, and Briggs & Stratton generators. Call (800) 674-9019 with your generator model number to order the correct kit, or browse accessories in our online shop.