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Choosing the Right Home Generator Size: Power Your Needs During Outages

Written by Aaron Robarge | July 31, 2024

Imagine this: a summer night, the power flickers, and then…darkness. Your fridge hums to a halt, the movie on TV freezes on-screen, and a cold sweat forms as you realize the air conditioner has stopped. Power outages can be disruptive, but a home generator can be your knight in shining armor, ensuring your comfort and safety during these unexpected events.

But before you rush out and buy the first generator you see, choosing the right size is crucial. An undersized generator won’t power your essential appliances, while an oversized one can be a waste of money and fuel. This guide will equip you with the knowledge to select the perfect home generator size for your needs.

Understanding Your Power Needs

The first step is to identify the essential appliances you want to run during a power outage. Here are some common home appliances and their estimated wattages:

  • Refrigerator: 600-800 watts
  • Freezer: 400-800 watts
  • Sump Pump: 750-1500 watts (consider the starting wattage, which can be higher)
  • Furnace/Air Conditioner: 3500-5000 watts (startup wattage can be much higher)
  • Well Pump: 1000-2000 watts (startup wattage can be much higher)
  • Washer/Dryer: 1800-3500 watts (each)
  • Microwave: 1000-1500 watts
  • Television: 100-300 watts
  • Computer: 200-1000 watts

Do the Math: Add Up Your Wattage Requirements

Once you have a list of essential appliances, add up their wattages to determine your total wattage requirement. Remember to factor in the surge wattage (startup wattage) for appliances with motors, as this can be significantly higher than their running wattage.

Adding a Buffer: Safety Net for Unexpected Needs

It’s wise to add a buffer of 20-30% to your total wattage requirement. This extra capacity ensures your generator can handle unexpected loads or future appliance additions without overloading.

Here’s the Formula:

Total Wattage Requirement = Sum of Appliance Wattages (including surge wattages) x 1.2 (20% buffer)

Example Calculation:

Let’s say you want to run your refrigerator (800 watts), sump pump (1000 watts), and lights (500 watts) during an outage.
Total Wattage Requirement = (800 watts + 1000 watts + 500 watts) x 1.2 = 2300 watts x 1.2 = 2760 watts

Choosing Your Generator Size

Now that you have your total wattage requirement with a buffer (in our example, 2760 watts), you can select a generator with a running wattage capacity that meets or slightly exceeds this number. In this case, a 3000-watt generator would be a suitable choice.

Additional Considerations:

  • Fuel Type: Consider the availability and cost of different generator fuels (propane, natural gas, gasoline) in your area.
  • Transfer Switch: A transfer switch automatically connects your home’s electrical system to the generator during an outage. This is a convenient and safe option.
  • Professional Installation: For safety and optimal performance, consider professional installation, especially for standby generators.

Conclusion

Choosing the right home generator size empowers you to weather power outages with comfort and peace of mind. By following these steps and consulting with a qualified electrician if needed, you can ensure you have the backup power you need to keep your home running smoothly during any disruption.

 

Ready to Find Your Perfect Home Generator?

The experts at All Comfort Services are here for all your electrical needs throughout Dane County. We offer repair and replacement of Generac generators. We pride ourselves on offering quality services and aim for 100% customer satisfaction on every job.

For electrical services you can trust in Dane County, contact the experts at All Comfort Services today.

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