When it comes to choosing a generator, many homeowners wonder, “How much power do I need for a whole house?” The answer depends on a number of factors, including the type and size of appliances you want to run.
To determine the wattage you need, first list all the appliances and devices you want to power. Then, calculate their starting and running wattage.
Powering your home
A generator can keep your home safe and secure during a power outage. It can provide power to lights, refrigerators, computers, space heaters, and more.
Many homes experience a significant number of power outages every year. The impact of these outages can be devastating. They can result in frozen pipes, loss of heating, spoiled food, and other inconveniences.
In a worst-case scenario, a power outage could even lead to serious health issues. That’s why a whole house generator is a good investment, especially for people who live in areas that are regularly threatened with heavy snowfall or high winds.
A whole house generator is generally installed outside, and connected to your home’s electrical system and fuel line. Typically, they’re liquid-cooled and have ventilation and exhaust holes to keep the gases from entering your home.
Running your appliances
A whole house generator can power a variety of devices, including lights, fans, computers, space heaters and more. They are usually powered by natural gas, liquid propane or diesel.
To get an idea of what size generator you need, start by calculating the amount of energy each appliance uses. This is typically done by dividing the starting watts (how much electricity an appliance needs to start) with the running watts (how many watts the appliance needs continuously).
For example, an air conditioning unit consumes about 2,200 starting watts and needs a constant supply of 1,500 running watts to operate correctly.
You can find this information in your home’s appliance manual or with a handy online generator calculator. The most accurate estimate of the generator you need will be based on this wattage calculation. However, remember that your actual generator sizing will vary due to the size and number of appliances you have in your home.
Powering your electronics
Power outages can leave you in the dark and without appliances and electronics. This can be particularly dangerous if you have medical devices that require immediate power.
Even worse, it can mean spoiled food or lost computer data. It can also be costly to replace devices and appliances that were damaged by power outage.
To avoid these problems, you need to make sure your home has a backup generator. There are many different types, including whole house generators and portable generators.
One of the most important things you need to consider when sizing a generator is the wattage it will need to power all of your appliances and electronics during an outage. This will depend on the size of your home and what you want to use it for.
To get a rough idea of how much you need, look up the wattage ratings for all of the appliances in your home. This will give you a good idea of what kind of generator you need.
Powering your HVAC system
Whole house generators can provide a reliable source of power for your HVAC system in the event of a power outage. They will kick in within 30 seconds of an outage to supply the power your home needs to keep working until your utility company restores service.
To ensure your generator can power your air conditioning unit, you need to know the wattage it requires. Typically, most large home appliances will be labeled with their starting wattage (the surge power needed to start) and running wattage.
A small window AC, for example, may need around 1200 running watts.
You can use a sizing calculator to determine the size generator you need. Then, add your air conditioner’s starting wattage and the generator’s running wattage together to determine the total wattage you need.
Then, calculate the wattage of any appliances that will run simultaneously with your HVAC system, such as an energy-efficient refrigerator or a sump pump. This will allow you to determine how many watts your backup generator will need to power all of these things.