To determine the size of the generator you need for your house, you should first make a list of the appliances and systems you want to power during an outage. You can find the running wattage of each appliance in its manual or on its label. If an appliance has a motor, you will need to calculate the total wattage using the formula provided in the manual. Once you have a list of the items you want to power and their wattages, add the numbers together to figure out what size generator would be right for you. It is recommended to use a generator that can comfortably handle all your power needs while using no more than 90 percent of its capacity.
Here are some general guidelines for the size of generator you may need:
- A 5,000-watt generator is enough to power the essentials, such as lights, refrigerator, and freezer.
- A 15,000-watt generator is enough to provide a more comfortable experience, including lights, refrigerator, freezer, central AC, water heater, oven/stove, microwave, and TV.
- A 25,000-watt generator is enough to power most household needs.
However, it is important to note that every home is different, and your power requirements may vary. You can use generator sizing charts or calculators to help you determine the size of the generator you need based on your specific power requirements.
