Briggs & Stratton: Brand Guide for Affordable Residential Standby Power
Published July 31, 2026 — PES Supply Brand Guides
Briggs & Stratton is one of America's oldest and most recognized engine brands, and its home standby generators pair that heritage with an industry-leading warranty. Founded in 1908 and headquartered in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area, Briggs & Stratton Corporation is best known for small engines, but its energy division has become a serious contender in residential standby power. The current PowerProtect and PowerProtect+ lines deliver 10 kW to 26 kW of backup with a 10-year comprehensive warranty — the longest standard coverage in the residential class. This guide covers Briggs & Stratton's generator product lines, recent developments, certifications, warranty terms, popular models at PES Supply, technical comparisons, and installation notes.
At PES Supply, we carry Briggs & Stratton standby generators among our 50,000+ SKUs from 169 authorized brands. Browse our generators collection and pair every unit with a compatible transfer switch.
1. Company Overview
Briggs & Stratton was founded in 1908 by Stephen Foster Briggs and Harold M. Stratton in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, initially producing automobile parts before pivoting to gasoline engines. Over more than a century, the company became the world's largest producer of air-cooled gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment. Briggs & Stratton entered the home standby generator market to extend its engine expertise into residential backup power, leveraging its Vanguard and Briggs OHV engine platforms. In 2020, the company was acquired by KPS Capital Partners and taken private, reorganizing around its core engine, standby generator, and outdoor power businesses.
Today Briggs & Stratton operates manufacturing facilities in the United States and internationally, with its energy division focused on residential standby generators positioned as an affordable, warranty-rich alternative to Generac and Kohler. The brand's standby line emphasizes value, comprehensive warranty coverage, and integrated remote monitoring.
2. Current Product Lines
Briggs & Stratton's standby generator portfolio is organized around the PowerProtect platform:
- PowerProtect+ DX (22 kW): A premium 22 kW home standby with built-in 24/7 EnergyTrak remote monitoring, designed for whole-home backup. Backed by a dealer-exclusive 10-year warranty covering parts, labor, and travel.
- PowerProtect (26 kW): The top-output model, delivering 26 kW on both LP and natural gas, also backed by the 10-year comprehensive warranty with no out-of-pocket costs for parts, labor, and service.
- Elite Series: Mid-range standby models in the 10–22 kW range for smaller homes and budget-conscious installations.
- ProSeries: Larger residential/light-commercial standby models for demanding whole-home and small-business applications.
- EnergyTrak Remote Monitoring: Built-in 24/7 monitoring platform enabling homeowners and dealers to track generator status from anywhere.
3. Recent Releases (2025–2026)
Briggs & Stratton's current flagship is the PowerProtect+ DX 22 kW, a premium home standby with integrated EnergyTrak monitoring and the brand's signature 10-year dealer-exclusive warranty. The PowerProtect 26 kW extends the line to the brand's top output. Both models are listed to UL 2200 and CSA C22.2 No. 100-14 and run on natural gas or liquid propane with equal rated output on both fuels — a notable advantage, as many competitors derate output on natural gas ([Briggs & Stratton Energy](https://energy.briggsandstratton.com/en-us/products/powerprotectplus-dx-22kw-home-standby-generator)).
In 2026, Briggs & Stratton continues to emphasize its warranty leadership — marketing the PowerProtect line with "10 years, No fears" and positioning the 10-year comprehensive coverage (including hidden costs that other brands charge separately) as the differentiator against Generac and Kohler's 5-year terms. The brand also published its 2026 hurricane outlook, reinforcing demand drivers for residential standby in storm-prone regions.
4. Certifications & Listings
Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect generators carry the following certifications:
- UL 2200: Listed in accordance with Underwriters Laboratories standard for stationary engine generator assemblies.
- CSA C22.2 No. 100-14: Listed to the Canadian Standards Association standard for motors and generators, permitting Canadian installation.
- EPA: Certified to current EPA emission standards for stationary engines.
- CARB: Compliant for sale and operation in California.
- NEC Article 702: Optional Standby Systems compliance via listed transfer switch.
- NFPA 37: Engineered for clearance-to-combustibles permitting close-building installation.
5. Warranty Terms
Briggs & Stratton's warranty is its defining competitive advantage:
- PowerProtect & PowerProtect+ (10-Year Comprehensive): The longest and most comprehensive standard warranty in the residential standby industry. Covers parts, labor, and travel for a full 10 years — including hidden costs that competing brands charge separately. The PowerProtect+ DX carries a dealer-exclusive 10-year warranty valued at up to $1,450; the PowerProtect 26 kW includes the same comprehensive coverage valued at up to $849.
- No Out-of-Pocket Costs: Labor, parts, and service are all included — the homeowner pays nothing for covered warranty repairs.
- Elite/ProSeries: Standard warranty terms vary by model; consult product documentation for specifics.
This 10-year comprehensive coverage effectively doubles the warranty length of Generac, Cummins, and Kohler, making Briggs & Stratton the value leader on total cost of ownership despite comparable upfront pricing.
6. Popular Products at PES Supply
These Briggs & Stratton models are among the most specified at PES Supply for value-driven residential standby:
| Model | Power (LP/NG) | Engine | Warranty | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PowerProtect+ DX 22 kW | 22 / 22 kW | Briggs OHV | 10-year comprehensive | EnergyTrak monitoring; equal NG/LP output |
| PowerProtect 26 kW | 26 / 26 kW | Briggs OHV | 10-year comprehensive | Top output; no out-of-pocket warranty |
| Elite Series 10–22 kW | 10–22 kW | Briggs OHV | Varies | Entry-level whole-home standby |
| ProSeries | Up to 26 kW | Briggs OHV | Varies | Light-commercial / large-home |
The PowerProtect+ DX 22 kW is the standout value pick — full 22 kW on both fuels, integrated monitoring, and a 10-year warranty that beats every competitor. Pair with a UL 1008 transfer switch from our transfer switches collection.
7. Technical Comparison: Briggs & Stratton vs. Competitors
| Criteria | Briggs PowerProtect | Generac Guardian | Kohler RES | Champion aXis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top air-cooled kW | 26 kW | 28 kW | 26 kW | 22 kW |
| NG vs LP output | Equal (no derate) | Derates on NG | Derates on NG | Derates on NG |
| Standard warranty | 10 yr comprehensive | 5 yr | 5 yr | 10 yr |
| Remote monitoring | EnergyTrak | Mobile Link | OnCue Plus | Wi-Fi Direct |
| Positioning | Value + warranty leader | Market leader | Premium | Value |
Briggs & Stratton's unique edge is delivering equal output on natural gas and LP (most competitors derate on NG) plus the longest standard warranty at 10 years. Its top output (26 kW) matches Kohler and trails only Generac's 28 kW. The brand is the strongest value play when total cost of ownership — including warranty protection — is the deciding factor.
8. Installation Notes
- Sizing: The PowerProtect+ DX 22 kW suits most 2,500–3,500 sq ft homes; the 26 kW handles larger estates. Because output is equal on NG and LP, no derating is needed when switching fuels. Use our sizing calculator.
- Fuel type: Natural gas and liquid propane with equal rated output — verify gas supply pressure and pipe sizing. The no-derate feature simplifies sizing on NG.
- Transfer switch: Match to a UL 1008 ATS rated 100A–200A. Briggs & Stratton offers matched switches; compatible third-party units also work. See our transfer switch guide.
- Electrical: Install per NEC Article 702 with grounding and bonding per Article 250.
- Placement: Maintain NFPA 37 clearances. Position for service access and away from bedroom windows.
- Monitoring: Activate EnergyTrak at installation to enable 24/7 remote status for the homeowner and dealer.
- Surge protection: Add a Type 2 SPD to protect the EnergyTrak controller and home electronics.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Briggs & Stratton standby warranty?
The PowerProtect and PowerProtect+ lines carry a 10-year comprehensive warranty — the longest standard coverage in the residential standby industry. It covers parts, labor, and travel with no out-of-pocket costs for covered repairs.
Does the Briggs generator derate on natural gas?
No. Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect models deliver equal rated output on both natural gas and liquid propane — a notable advantage, as most competitors reduce output when running on NG.
What is EnergyTrak?
EnergyTrak is Briggs & Stratton's built-in 24/7 remote monitoring platform, included with PowerProtect+ models. It lets homeowners and dealers track generator status from anywhere.
Is Briggs & Stratton a good value compared to Generac?
On total cost of ownership, yes. While upfront pricing is comparable, Briggs's 10-year comprehensive warranty effectively doubles the protection period of Generac's 5-year term, and the no-derate NG output simplifies sizing.
Who makes Briggs & Stratton engines for the generators?
Briggs & Stratton manufactures its own OHV engines for the standby line, leveraging over a century of engine engineering expertise from its Vanguard and Briggs OHV platforms.
10. Shop Briggs & Stratton at PES Supply
For value-driven residential standby with the longest warranty in the industry, Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect is a compelling specification. Equal NG/LP output, integrated EnergyTrak monitoring, and a 10-year no-out-of-pocket warranty make it a favorite of cost-conscious homeowners. PES Supply stocks Briggs & Stratton generators, transfer switches, and accessories.
Standard delivery is 7–10 business days nationwide. Every Briggs & Stratton product ships with full manufacturer warranty and is backed by our technical support team.
Ready to spec a Briggs & Stratton? Browse our full inventory:
- Shop All Briggs & Stratton Products
- Standby Generators
- Transfer Switches
- Surge Protection
- Electrical Accessories
By the PES Supply Editorial Team. Specifications and warranty terms are subject to change — verify current details with our sales team before specification.