During a power outage, you may wonder whether or not a whole house generator can run your air conditioner. The answer depends on a few factors.
First, you need to know how many watts your AC unit uses. You can find this information on the manufacturer’s label or online.
Size
Generators can be a smart investment for homes that have frequent power outages. However, they must be the right size to supply enough power to the home.
A whole house generator, also known as a standby generator, can provide a safe and reliable source of power for the home during a power outage. It can be wired to your circuit breaker panel, so it will automatically kick in when there’s an outage.
This will power your water heater, HVAC unit and other essential household appliances and equipment. It can also power your lights, TV and other electronics.
When calculating how big a generator you need, consider how many appliances you want to run at once and their wattage requirements. Then, add them together to calculate your total needs.
Some appliances, like air conditioners, use a lot of wattage during the start up and cycling on process. This can throw off your calculations if you don’t account for surge wattage.
Power
Choosing a whole house generator that is powerful enough to run your air conditioner depends on a number of factors. First, you must determine the starting wattage and running wattage required by your specific air conditioning unit.
Typically, air conditioning units require five to eight times more power on startup than they do when they are running. You also need to consider how much power is needed for the appliances you want to run with your air conditioner and whether or not you will be able to use more than one device at once.
Most retail sites that sell generators will give you a handy calculator to help you figure out your exact needs. However, it is always best to consult the manuals for your specific appliance and system. This will ensure that you have a more accurate estimate of how much total wattage your generator will need.
Wiring
If you want to use your whole house generator to run your air conditioner, you’ll need to wire it correctly. The process can be tricky and should only be done by a licensed electrician.
The first thing to do is determine how much wattage your generator will need to supply to your home’s appliances. This is important because you don’t want to overload the generator or your connected appliances.
Next, you’ll need to connect your portable generator to the electrical panel using a transfer switch. This is the best way to ensure your power stays on.
The key is to get the right size transfer switch that matches your home’s main breaker. This will help your home’s wiring stay safe during an outage and will prevent you from overpowering the system or damaging your appliances.
Maintenance
A whole house generator can be a life saver during power outages. It can be especially helpful for homeowners with elderly or infirm relatives who may need a little extra assistance to get through a power outage. Getting a backup generator also provides a sense of security knowing that your family will be safe and sound if the lights go out.
To make the most of your new backup generator, it is important to plan ahead and keep it well maintained. A few key items to remember include regular oil changes, testing your system and making sure it is free of debris.
Choosing a whole home generator is an investment, and ensuring it functions properly is as important as selecting the right model for your needs. Fortunately, AirPro is here to help with all your backup generator needs. Contact us today to learn more about our line of quality products and find out which one is the best fit for your needs.