What Size Generator Do I Need For Power Outage: Pick The Right Option

A question that comes to mind while running a generator for outrage is What Size Generator Do I Need For Power Outage? Whether to go for portable, standby, inverter, or any other type?

These are not such tricky questions; all you need to do is check the wattage requirement of your appliances, add them, and here you go.

This way, you will get an accurate figure about how to use a generator during a power outage.

Experts suggest going for at least 3500 to 7500-watt generators, as they produce enough power for your appliances.

But, this is a rough estimate; the number may vary according to the number of appliances and their wattage needs.

So be very careful and always pick the super-duper, accurate-size generator to keep the appliances powered up whenever you face a severe power outage.

You have to jump into this article to get the details because it has a lot more for you.

Let’s get started!

The Right Size Generator For Home Is All That You Need:

The market is overcrowded with different types of generators belonging to different brands. They all are of different sizes and wattage.

In this situation, if you also get confused about: What Size Generator Do I Need For Power Outage? Then this is so obvious.

People buy generators when power outages occur in their town. This is the best alternative to power up the appliances even when there is a fault in the mainline or power cuts off due to a storm.

Picking the right size generator is very important, and you don’t have to take this matter lightly. If you buy the best portable generator and a small generator, it may not provide power to the necessary appliances during a power outage.

If you put more load on a generator by running appliances that require more power than your generator bears, it will damage the generator and the appliances too. So, you have to avoid doing this.

Contrary to this, spending your precious money on a large generator is a total waste of money when the home is small. Fueling a larger generator is not even an easy task to do.

Hence, spending money on the right size generator during a power outage is all you need. Be very careful and don’t waste money.

So how will you determine what size is right for your house? In order to avoid getting your hands on a very large and expensive or very small and affordable unit you need to make careful calculations and do a neat and tactful job. You can make these calculations by determining the wattage required to power your house during an outage. Yes, you read it right! To find yourself the right size generator for your house, all you have to do is to follow the following three steps.

Step 1: Enlist the electric appliances you would have to power during outages.

Step 2:Enlist the wattages of each device before it.

You can find the wattage of each device on its label and look out for running/ consumption wattage, not the continuous/ output wattage. If you couldn’t find the wattage on the label you can calculate it by using the following method:

Wattage = Amperage X Voltage

Step 3: Add the wattage of all the devices to get the required wattage

How Big A Generator Do I Need For My House: Solve Your Problem

If you live in an area where the power goes out frequently, you need a generator to run the appliances.

But, What Size Generator Do I Need For Power Outage? This is an important question that needs your attention.

Some houses are big, some are large, and others are medium-sized. Many of them have all the basic appliances; others have only basic ones such as mini-refrigerators, TVs, coffee makers, and microwaves.

So when buying a generator for a power outage, the first thing you need to do is calculate your appliances’ wattage requirements. Choosing the right size generator becomes easier when you have an accurate number.

Generally, a 3500-7500-watt generator can power your house. For small size homes, a 3500-watt generator is enough, like Wen 56380i.

Determining the Wattage Of Each Appliance

If you don’t know how much wattage each appliance in your house requires to run and don’t want to calculate it you can follow the given table to have a cursory overlook. For your convenience, let’s look into the wattage needs of some of the important appliances.

For your convenience, let’s look into the wattage needs of some of the important appliances.

The coffee maker runs 400 to 800 watts, Microwave needs 1200 watts, computers at least 2000 watts, washing machines require 750 watts, and television needs just 350 watts to function properly. 

These are some of the appliances people have in their homes. You can also calculate the wattage needs by looking into the appliances or manufacturers and also mention the wattage needs on the boxes.

If you have the boxes, read from them. Add all the watts, go to the market and pick the right option.

The Types Of Generators And Their Wattages

When you want to get the answer: What Size Generator Do I Need For Power Outage? This is also important to know what type of generator is ideal.

Portable, Standby, Or Big-Size Inverter Generator: What Is The Best Option?

When you want to get the answer: What Size Generator Do I Need For Power Outage? This is also important to know what type of generator is ideal.

Whether a portable option, standby, or large inverter generator stands best, and continue reading.

●  What About A Portable Generator:

Most portable generators produce 3500 watts to power small appliances. They are lightweight, and because of this specialty, it’s a breeze to store and transport them from one place to another.

Portable generators don’t run pumps or big refrigerators. They only run small devices, so you don’t have to put more load on them. People living in areas where power outages occur once in two to three months can go for this option.

Portable generators may be used for recreational purposes as their most optimum application but this doesn’t restrict them from being used with large wattage requirements. Typically the portable generator’s application and output wattage fall into the following three categories.

1.   Recreational – Up To 2,000 Watts

2KW generators are the lightest ones with an average weight below 60 pounds and are also the most affordable ones. These units are versatile, easy to transport, and best for recreational purposes such as for mounting on an RV, camping van, travel trailer, or even lighting up the campsite.

2.   Mid-Size Portable – Up To 3,500 Watts

Recreational portable generators are too small to run mid-range yet common appliances such as space heaters, refrigerators, and small AC units with 10,000 to 12,000 BTU. For powering these mid-range appliances, a mid-range portable generator with 3500 watts output wattage is the best bet to make.

3.   Large Portable – Up To 7,500 Watts

Portable generators up to 3500 watts are not suitable for connecting with a circuit breaker and if you want to use them at home you would have to shift to 7.5KW portable generators to have a continuous power supply even under an outage.

Are Inverter Generators The Better Option?

For all those users who want to upgrade from a portable generator to a quieter and more efficient option then the inverter generators may be a preferred choice. As an alternative to large portable generators, you can use the following units.

Large Inverter – Up To 7,500 Watts

Big inverter generators can produce 7500 watts of power and are costly too. Large inverters produce more energy and are ready to power up refrigerators and air conditioning units.

They run quietly and are best to provide standby power to many appliances that are considered sensitive. People facing weeks of power outages prefer to install large standby inverters due to their fuel efficiency.

Your Take On Standby Home Generators:

If you are looking forward to home standby generators that can be used as a backup power source during frequent power outages then a residential heavy-wattage standby unit will be the required option and not just any portable generators can be used for this purpose. You would have to use the following units for this deal.

What Size Generator Do I Need For Power Outage? We hope you got your answer. But what do you think of large standby generators? Are they any good?

Home Standby – Up To 20,000 Watts

Commercial buildings and villa owners use these large standby options because they offer you, 20000 watts of power and automatically start when you face a power outage in your area.

They run using propane or natural gas and are considered expensive options. So if you own a large villa with tons of heavy appliances, install it at the backside of your home and enjoy continuous power.

Final Words:

Related Articles:

What Size Generator Do I Need For my RV
What Size Generator Do I Need to Run an Air Conditioner

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