What Size Generator Does My House Need?

In a typical American household, power outages can take place once or twice in an average of 3 hours per year. These power outages are mostly caused by natural disasters that can last for many days. When these things happen, inconvenience and discomfort paved the way to your home, especially with the kids.

What size generator does my house need? The answer could only rely on the number of appliances that run in your house and the watts that your appliances need. To know about this, you need to use the generator wattage calculator.

A Must-Read: How Do You Survive Doomsday?

In this article, you will learn about the size generator and the power requirements needed in your house. Some facts about generators will also be discussed.

Calculating The Generator Size

Generators are made to become alternatives against power outage problems. To know the best generator to be used in your home, you have to check your appliances first. Take note that when calculating, the power output of the generator is measured in Watts (W).

List Your Devices

Many would suggest buying the smallest generator, yet durable enough to meet your needs. However, choosing the right generator size is more recommended because you have to base its size according to your situation and needs. Each generator is specified according to what your devices and appliances need.

What A Generator Can Power

Each generator’s size is meant to power specific appliances. For instance, a 2,000-Watt Generator can power a refrigerator, laptop, light bulbs, home security system, and smartphone charger.

However, a larger generator with 10,000-Watt can power a small business store. It’s also best to consider how many times a year do power outages happen.

Use The Generator Wattage Calculator

There are two figures that you need to remember when calculating. First is the starting watts and the other, the running watts. When buying a new generator, you need to pay attention to both numbers. Remember that the generator and the appliances have to go together to avoid unreasonable buying.

The Watts Your Appliances Need

The amount of power is critical to the number of appliances your house had because these household appliances may demand a specific electrical power.

Understanding Watts

There are two important figures that you needed to understand before buying a new generator. First is the Starting watts, which are required for most appliances that need more wattage to operate. Second is Running Watts, which is the measurement of how much energy the appliances were needing after its setup.

The Generator Your House Needs

The first things that you have to list down are the most critical appliances in your house, such as the well pump, air conditioner, refrigerator, and lightning. A generator of about 7,500 watts can run these appliances at once. However, if you choose to buy a 4,000-watt generator, then it would only run a limited number of appliances.

What To Remember About Watts

For most appliances, their labels are stated in watts or amps, so you have to learn how to calculate them so you can determine the generator size that you need. For example, the power requirement of the whole house equals 8,000 watts, so you might need a generator with a size that either exceeds or equals 8,000 watts.

Your Needs vs. Your Wants

As much as possible, you’ve always wanted to power up the whole house. However, you also have to consider some calamities that may come in your way. In a disaster-prone area, you may get a larger generator because, most of the time, power outages may incur.

On the other hand, if your area is safe from natural disasters and your only problem is emergency blackouts, then consider purchasing a smaller generator.

Your Safety Level

When buying a new set of the generator, you have to consider purchasing portable generators that have a sensor in it to stop the building of Carbon Monoxide, which is dangerous in an enclosed space. It’s also essential that your generator is installed 20 feet from your house, to avoid unwanted accidents.

Consider Recreational Inverters

Many would have considered buying the lightest and the quietest generator with no installation cost. This kind of generator is very easy to store and can be used during travels or outdoor activities.

However, the only thing that it can power is the refrigerator, light bulbs, and your phone charger, which already have enough appliances during an emergency.

Power Outages Problems

As mentioned, generators are made explicitly to power during an emergency. Even so, these emergencies can get even worse, especially when you’re in an area where severe weather events can happen.

Frequent Power Outages

You have to consider home standby or a large inverter when your area is experiencing a lot of power outages. These generators have enough power to connect directly to your circuit breaker panel.

If you have these generators, then power outages won’t be a problem anymore as long as you’re sure to have a transfer switch.

Occasional Outages

For this situation, you have to consider buying a large inverter or a portable generator because they can sustain occasional outages. At the same time, these generators can only cost you less in your electric bill. You may be able to save thousands of dollars using these two devices.

Rarely To Lose Power

Even if your area is not prone to power outages, but just in case it will happen soon, you still need to prepare the midsized and recreational inverters, which is good enough to power a refrigerator, air-conditioner, and light bulbs. It can also power up television and a heater.

Conclusion

A lot of people have indeed considered a generator, yet failed to learn about the exact usage and wattage needed for the whole house and a specific appliance. Generators are considered a necessity to bring comfort in your home during unwanted situations.

For more information about the prices and the particular usage of generators, then it would be helpful to ask your local store about it. Educating yourself with the use of the internet would help you in weighing your decisions, too.