So, you’ve begun your search for a new generator- whether you’re looking to purchase one for a new home or are simply looking for an upgrade, a great place to start is by asking yourself what size you should be looking for to properly power your home. Generators are a terrific way to ensure power during unexpected/rolling blackouts or to provide power to places where electrical service is not an option.
If you are renovating your home and are re-evaluating which appliances to add/replace, a generator is a great way to ensure your home’s safety and security. The question now is: what
size and type of generator do you need? Here at Suncoast Power Solutions, we will help you figure it out.
How to Calculate Your Wattage Requirement
If you’re contemplating size, what you really need to know is how much total wattage you need. To determine the best generator for home use, we’ve provided the following list below for you to select which appliances and systems you want to power. To calculate an exact wattage number, consult your appliance manuals.
For any appliance that has a motor, you will need to calculate the total wattage using the formula:
Running wattage (R) + Starting wattage (R x 3) = Total wattage needed
This formula allows you to calculate the approximate total wattage needs for any motorized appliance. Smaller items like table lamps and coffeemakers, however, don’t require an extra boost of power when they’re turned on. For these, you only need to be familiar with the running wattage.
Once you’ve created a list of items you want to power and calculated the wattage needs for each individual item, add the numbers together to figure out what size generator will be the best for you.
Below is an approximated list of the running wattage needs for common household items:
Refrigerator/Freezer: 600 – 800
Toaster: 1100 – 1700
Microwave: 1200
Coffeemaker: 400 – 800
Electric Oven: 5000
Television: 100 – 350
Personal Computer: 500 – 2000
Hair Dryer: 1200 – 1500
Vacuum: 700 – 1400
Space Heater: 1250
Table Lamp: 150
Below is an approximated list of a standard HVAC systems’ wattage needs:
Water Pump: 1000 – 2000
Window AC: 600 – 1500
Outdoor Lighting: 500 – 1000
Electric Furnace: 5000 – 25000
Central AC: 2000 – 4000
Water Heater: 3000 – 4500
Types of Generators by Size
Generators come in multiple different wattage sizes. Here are three kinds of generators to choose from.
Portable Generators
Portable generators are easy to transport anywhere and are relatively affordable. They have the ability to provide emergency power in the event of a blackout or storm.
Inverter Generators
Inverters convert AC power to DC power, making them ideal for RVs and battery-operated devices since they power and recharge battery-operated appliances. What differentiates an inverter generator from a standard generator is the type of electricity it produces (turning AC power into DC electricity).
Home Standby Generators
Whole Home Standby generators remain on “standby” – automatically powering on during a power outage. Being essentially hardwired to your house, they provide a consistent power current to keep all of your appliances running and typically use natural gas or propane. While being the most convenient
, this type of generator is typically the most expensive. The installation of a standby generator can sometimes cost as much as the generator itself, making this option quite costly. If you live in a region that experiences frequent power outages or is remote/is not always provided with electrical service, then a home standby generator can make all the difference for your home.
Who Can I Ask For Help?
With a few simple calculations and brief analysis of what you need to support your lifestyle, you can answer the question “what size generator do I need?”.
Ready to find the generator best fit for your needs? If you’re still unsure of how to determine the best possible generator size, the friendly experts at Suncoast Power Solutions can lend you a hand! Just give us a call at (813) 829-0037 and we’ll answer any questions you may have.
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