Top 5 Reasons to Buy a Cummins Generator
When shopping for a home standby generator, you'll find no shortage of options — Generac, Kohler, Briggs & Stratton, Cummins, and more. The selection process can feel overwhelming, especially if you're new to backup power.
Generac's aggressive marketing and vast dealer network have long dominated the residential standby market. But in recent years, strong competitors have been winning over homeowners with impressive lineups that deserve serious consideration. One brand standing out from the crowd: Cummins Power Generation.
Cummins Has The Track Record To Back It Up
Cummins Power Generation traces its roots back to the 1920s, when David Onan invented the TENLITE generator. Today, Cummins Inc. — a world leader in diesel engine design and manufacturing — distributes power generation products across more than 190 countries, serving data centers, hospitals, airports, emergency responders, and commercial buildings. That kind of global trust doesn't happen by accident.
One standout product in the Cummins residential lineup is the Cummins RS20A, a 20kW air-cooled generator that punches well above its weight class.
5 Reasons the RS20A Belongs On Your Shortlist
1. Built Tough For Real-World Conditions
The RS20A handles temperature extremes that would challenge lesser units. Standard models operate reliably down to 0°F (-18°C), while extreme cold weather models push that limit to -40°F (-40°C). Cummins engineered it to meet EPA, UL, CSA, and NFPA 37 standards — meaning you can install it as close as 18 inches from your home. It also delivers enough motor-starting power to kick on and run a 5-ton air conditioner under full pre-load.
2. Smart Load Management That Protects Your Investment
Most generators either run everything or nothing. The RS20A does something smarter. Its Intelligent Load Management system monitors up to four independent loads simultaneously, then distributes available power based on what your home actually needs at any given moment.
Here's a practical example: imagine two Load Management Modules controlling your electric oven and clothes dryer, while Benchmark Electric connects two central A/C units directly. The system automatically prioritizes one A/C unit. Once that unit completes its run cycle and frees up capacity, the RS20A intelligently
brings your second A/C, oven, or dryer back online — preventing overload at every step.
This feature makes the RS20A an ideal budget-friendly solution for homeowners who want managed whole-house coverage without paying for a larger unit. Homes under 3000 sq. ft. can take full advantage of this feature.
3. Flexible Exercise Scheduling Saves You Money
Standby generators need to run periodic exercise cycles to stay ready — typically 10 to 20 minutes of operation. Most brands lock you into a weekly schedule whether you need it or not. The RS20A lets you choose weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly intervals. Benchmark Electric recommends monthly exercise cycles for most homeowners, which reduces fuel consumption and cuts down on engine wear over time.
4. Free Remote Monitoring — No Subscription Required
Cummins builds remote monitoring capability into every RS20A at no additional cost. Using the Cummins Connect Cloud app on your smartphone, tablet, or computer, you can check your generator's status from anywhere. The system sends you notifications when the generator starts, runs, or stops — and it alerts you (and Benchmark Electric) immediately if a fault develops or a service interval comes due.
Benchmark Electric handles the setup: we connect the RS20A to your home Wi-Fi and configure the app so you're ready to monitor from day one. An optional wall-mounted remote monitor also lets you check status without pulling out your phone.
5. The Quietest Air-Cooled Generator
In Its Class
At just 65 dB(A), the RS20A holds the title of quietest air-cooled generator in the industry. Your neighbors won't complain — you might not even notice it running. Cummins achieves this through a dual-enclosure design: a powder-coated aluminum exterior with heavy insulation wrapped around a galvanized steel interior. The enclosure also withstands wind loads up to 180 MPH, so it keeps protecting your home even during the storms that cause the outages.
3 More Reasons We Recommend Cummins
Low Emissions Everywhere — Unlike some competitors whose fine print reads "Not for sale in California or Massachusetts," every RS20A carries full U.S. EPA and CARB emissions certification. No restrictions, no surprises.
American-Made Alternators — The alternator is where a standby generator earns its keep. While some competitors source their alternators from overseas, Cummins designs, engineers, and manufactures its own alternators and electronic controls right here in the U.S.A.
A Warranty That Matches the Reputation — As an authorized Cummins dealer for nearly a decade, Benchmark Electric consistently sees what "Performance you rely on™" looks like in practice. Every RS20A backs that promise with a 5-year, 2,000-hour limited warranty, and extended warranties stretch coverage up to 10 years of worry-free service.
Ready to Get Started?
The Cummins RS20A delivers the right combination of power, intelligence, and reliability for whole-house, managed whole-house, or partial-house coverage for homes under 3,000 sq. ft. — and Benchmark Electric is the team to install it right.
Call us today to schedule your onsite consultation: 901-590-4968
Learn more about standby power:
- The Need for Reliable Home Standby Power
- Choosing the Right Standby Generator for Your Home
- What Size Generator Do I Need for My Home?
- How Big a Generator for a 1200 sq ft home?
- How Big a Generator for a 1500 sq ft house?
- Air-Cooled vs. Liquid-Cooled Generators - What's the Difference?
- Whole House Generators
- How We Rate and Rank Standby Power Systems