Selecting a home generator is more than just looking for high-quality machinery or a brand with good reviews. It’s about considering generator sizes, power capabilities, and the exact wattages your household needs. Everyone’s home is different and will require varying degrees of power in the event of an outage. From running a refrigerator to powering up heating or cooling systems, each appliance consumes different amounts of energy.
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In simple terms, wattage is the total consumption of electricity by an electrical device during operation. Each electrical appliance in your home has its own specific wattage requirement listed on a tag or label attached to it. The total power (wattage) required by your home during a power failure is the cumulative sum of all these individual requirements.
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Generators come in various sizes measured in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW), which represent the power they produce. This range can be as small as 800 watts for portable generators suitable for camping and tailgating, up to 15000 watts or more for large standby generators designed to power up entire homes.
A small generator between 3,000 – 4,000 watts can typically support essential appliances such as a refrigerator, furnace blower, television and some lights. While a large unit between 10,000 – 15,000 watts can provide power for most of your household including larger appliances like central air conditioning units.
However, it’s important to understand that these are rough estimates and it’s always better to calculate exact needs based on your individual appliances’ requirements.
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There are generally two methods you can use to figure out what size generator you need:
- Estimation: This method involves adding up the wattages of the vital appliances you want powered during an outage and choosing a generator that can handle this load. It’s a simple, do-it-yourself way to get a rough idea of your power needs.
- Professional Assessment: More precise than estimation, this method involves hiring a licensed electrician or contractor to perform a detailed load analysis of your home. They will accurately calculate the wattage requirements of all appliances, accounting for factors like starting watts (some appliances require additional power to start up), type of fuel used by the generator and efficiency in fuel usage.
While professional assessments are more accurate, they can be cost prohibitive and may not be necessary unless you have a very large home or complex power needs.
Being knowledgeable about generator sizes and wattage is the key to selecting the right backup system for your home. With this comprehensive guide, hopefully you feel more equipped to understand your specific needs and find the perfect fit.
When selecting a generator for your home, it’s imperative not to overlook the significance of size. It is not so much about physical dimensions; rather, the capacity to produce power (measured in watts) is what matters most. Here are three considerations to keep in mind.
- Power Needs
The first and foremost thing you need to consider is your power needs. This heavily relies on how you plan to use the generator. Will it be used only during power outages for essential appliances like refrigerators, heating systems, and lights? Or do you plan on powering up all your home appliances including air conditioners, washing machines, and entertainment systems during blackouts?
- For essential appliances: If you only need the generator during power outages to run basic necessities, a small-to-medium-sized generator should suffice. These usually range from 5000-7500 watts.
- For whole house: If you want your life to continue without any disruption even during a blackout, you may need a larger generator that can handle between 10,000 and 20,000 watts or more.
- Fuel Type
The type of fuel a generator uses also influences its size and wattage.
- Diesel Generators: They are known for their longevity and efficiency. Diesel generators typically offer higher wattage which makes them suitable for heavy-duty use.
- Gasoline Generators: These generators are less expensive but offer less efficiency compared to diesel counterparts. They tend to be smaller in size.
- Propane Generators: Propane is cleaner than both diesel and gasoline but it’s less efficient. The capacity of propane generators ranges widely based on model and design.
- Solar Generators: These are environmentally-friendly options but they provide lower wattage. If your energy needs are minimal or if you’re using it as a back-up for select appliances, a solar generator could be a good fit.
- Generator Type
There are two main types of generators: portable and standby generators.
- Portable Generators: These are smaller and offer lower wattage output. They are usually gasoline-powered and range from 1,000 to 8,500 watts. These handy devices are ideal for powering select appliances.
- Standby Generators: Also known as home or whole-house generators, they produce more power (usually between 5,000 to 20,000 watts). They can handle a higher load and power multiple appliances simultaneously.
By taking into account your power needs, the type of fuel you prefer to use, and what type of generator suits your circumstances best, you can make an informed decision about generator size for your home. Remember that it’s always better to slightly overestimate your needs than underestimate them. This will ensure you’re not left in the dark during a blackout or storm when you need power the most.
When planning to purchase a generator for your home, it’s crucial to consider the size of your home. The square footage of your house can influence the power output requirement you’ll need from a generator. Incorrect estimations might lead the generator to underperform or lead to unnecessary expenses with an oversized generator.
Determining your home’s square footage is an essential part of this process. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide that you can follow:
- Measure the Length and Width of Each Room:
Begin by measuring each room in your house, including bathrooms and utility rooms with a tape measure. Measure the length and width of each space.
- Calculate the Square Footage of Each Room:
For every room, multiply its length by its width to get its area in square feet.
- Add Up All The Areas:
Once you’ve calculated the area for every room, add them all together.
- Don’t Forget Non-Living Spaces:
Consider non-living spaces that may require power during a power outage such as garages or work sheds – they should also be included in your calculations.
- Include Outdoor Spaces if Necessary:
If you plan on powering outdoor elements like landscape lighting, pool pumps or outdoor kitchens, include these areas in your total square footage calculation too.
Once you have calculated your home’s total square footage, you are better positioned to assess what size generator would suit your needs best. Generally speaking, smaller homes with essential power requirements might only require a generator with an output of 3,000 – 4,000 watts while larger homes with more extensive needs will likely require generators upward from 10,000 watts.
Remember that understanding the square footage does not provide the exact number of wattage required; instead, it offers an idea of the generator size you might need. For more precise calculations, it’s recommended to consider the power requirements of all the appliances and devices you plan on powering during a power outage.
Remember, every home is unique in its energy needs. Being realistic about what appliances and systems you would need to run simultaneously in an outage scenario will help guide your decision. Consider seeking professional advice if needed, to ensure you’re making a well-informed decision for your peace of mind and home safety.
When planning for a home generator, it’s essential to evaluate the power requirements of your household. This involves making a list of all appliances and systems that require power, as this will help determine the size of generator you need.
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Consider this: during a power outage, what are the appliances and systems you can’t do without? These may vary from family to family but some common ones include:
- Heating and cooling systems
- Refrigerator and freezer
- Lights
- Stove or oven
- Water system (if your water is pumped electrically)
- Health-related equipment (CPAP machine, home dialysis equipment etc.)
- Computers and phones (for communication)
Once you have identified the essentials, consider other appliances that would be nice to have during a blackout even if they’re not critical for survival. Some such examples might be:
- Television or radio
- Washing machine and dryer
- Dishwasher
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After listing down your appliances, it’s important to prioritize them based on necessity. This helps in determining which appliances should get power first during an outage when running on limited generator power.
For ease, categorize your appliances into three tiers:
- Essential: Vital for survival or health. Must run continuously.
- Important: Not vital for survival but significantly improves comfort levels.
- Optional: Nice to have but not necessary.
Remember, your needs might differ based on factors like time of year (heating is more important in winter), geographical location (a sump pump might be essential if you live in an area prone to flooding), personal needs (if someone in the household relies on powered medical equipment) etc.
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Once you’ve made your list and prioritized it appropriately, it’s time to determine the wattage requirements of each appliance.
Electrical appliances usually have a label or manual that states the wattage they use. If this isn’t available, there are online resources and charts that provide estimated wattage for common household appliances.
Remember, there are two types of wattages:
- Running watts: The power required to keep an appliance running.
- Starting watts: The extra power needed to start an electric motor.
Both these values are important while determining the size of your generator.
In this step, note down both running and starting watts for all appliances on your list.
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After you’ve gathered all the necessary details, total up the running watts of all appliances you want to power simultaneously. Then find out the highest starting watt value among them. Your generator should have the capacity to cover these needs.
Keep in mind that you can manage your total wattage requirements by not running all appliances at once or by shedding off some non-essential loads.
Making a comprehensive list of appliances is one of the most crucial steps in evaluating your power requirements. It ensures you choose a home generator suitable for your needs – neither oversized nor undersized but just right.
Calculating the total wattage required by your home during a power outage is a vital step in choosing the right home generator. This calculation allows you to select a generator capable of supplying enough power to meet your needs without overloading its capabilities or wasting energy.
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Start by making a list of all the appliances and devices that need power in your home. This might include:
- Refrigerator
- Freezer
- Furnace
- Air conditioning unit
- Water heater
- Lights
- Kitchen appliances (microwave, toaster, etc.)
- Electronic devices (TV, computer, etc.)
This list should be as comprehensive as possible to ensure an accurate calculation.
Step 1: Determine the Wattage of Each Appliance
Next, find out how many watts each appliance or device uses. This information can usually be found on the appliance’s label or in its manual. If this information is not readily available, you can also look it up online or use an electricity usage monitor.
Here are some common wattages for reference:
| Appliance | Average Wattage |
| Refrigerator | 150 – 200 watts |
| Freezer | 50 – 100 watts |
| Furnace | 500 – 1500 watts |
| Air conditioning unit | 1000 – 4000 watts |
| Water heater | 400 – 2000 watts |
| Light bulb (per bulb) | 10 – 100 watts |
You should understand that these values are estimates and actual wattages can vary depending on specific models and settings.
Step 2: Calculating Running and Starting Wattages
Most appliances require more power to start than to run continuously. This starting wattage can be significantly higher than running wattage and must be incorporated into your total wattage calculation.
To calculate the total running wattage, simply add up the wattages of all the appliances you listed in Step 1.
To calculate the total starting wattage, find out the appliance with the highest additional starting wattage and add it to your total running wattage. Do not count each appliance’s starting wattage separately as they are unlikely to all start at the exact same time.
Final Thoughts
Once you have calculated both your running and starting wattages, you have a better idea of what size generator you need. Keep in mind that it’s always better to have a little extra power than not enough. If your calculations are close to the maximum output of a particular generator model, consider moving up a size to give yourself some breathing room.
By accurately calculating your home’s total power requirements, you can confidently choose a generator that will keep everything running smoothly during a power outage. This is an essential step towards ensuring reliable and efficient backup power for your home.
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