What Size Generator Do I Need For My Home

So, you're tired of being left in the dark during an outage. You're probably looking at your options for a whole-home generator then you're not stuck without ability anymore, right?

To determine what size generator y'all demand to power your whole firm:

Figure out the starting wattage (i.eastward. "surge" wattage) of the appliances and fixtures you lot want to ability.
Detect a generator powerful enough to exceed the combined wattage of everything that needs electricity.

We'll walk you through the process in more than detail below. Before we do that, allow'southward look at how generators are sized.

Demand an electrician to calculate what size generator your home needs? Give u.s. a call at (800) 226-2636 or schedule an engagement online.

Y'all can also cheque out our generator installation page to become an thought of what we offer.

How generators are sized

Generators are sized based on their electrical output, not their physical dimensions. They're measured in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW), both of which are a measurement of electricity (1kW = one,000W).

It'south important to go the right size generator.

Why, you ask? Well, if you go a generator that's…

Too small, y'all'll overload the generator, or force information technology to supply more than power than it can handle. If this happens, the generator will either automatically turn off or overheat, which volition fry not only the generator, merely also your costly appliances.
Too big, you'll overpay for both the unit of measurement and the toll to operate it.

That being said, let's expect at how y'all can calculate what size generator your home needs.

Summate what size generator you need in 3 uncomplicated steps

To calculate what size generator you need to power your whole dwelling, follow these 3 steps:

Step 1: List out every appliance you want to ability.

Step 2: Determine the starting and running wattage of everything on your list. If you lot tin can't find these numbers on the apparatus label, yous can utilise this wattage interpretation guide as a reference.

Annotation: Starting wattage (also known every bit "surge wattage") refers to the wattage an appliance needs at start-upward. Starting wattage is ordinarily 2–3 times college than its "running" wattage, or how many watts an apparatus needs to run constantly.

Step 3: Add the wattage together. Then, use this number to guide what size generator y'all need.

Continue in heed that a DIY wattage gauge is but that: an estimate. To be on the safe side, we recommend using a wattage calculator or, even better, having a professional person electrician summate the verbal wattage yous need to aid yous discover the right size generator.

If y'all're up for trying it yourself though, let'south wait at a couple examples.

Power just the essentials

If you want to power but the "essentials", your list might look something like this:

In this case, yous'd demand at least a 25kW generator, since the starting wattage is 24,100W.

Power your whole dwelling house

If you want to ability but almost everything in your abode, your list would probably look more than similar this 1:

In this state of affairs, you'd probably desire at least a 35kW whole-home generator.

Need a pro to assist yous find the right size generator?

Nosotros'll send an electrician to your Florida habitation to calculate the verbal size generator you demand. We serve Tampa Bay, Orlando, and SW Florida and have locations in Sarasota, Tampa, Dunedin, Orlando, and Naples.

Learn more nearly our services and generators nosotros install.

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