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.
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:
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.
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.
Total Wattage Requirement = Sum of Appliance Wattages (including surge wattages) x 1.2 (20% buffer)
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
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.
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.
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.
Aaron is a master electrician for residential and commercial customers. He’s been performing electrical services at All Comfort Services since 2010. “I like it when everything all comes together when the lights turn on, and I see the satisfaction in the customer’s face,” says Aaron.