A whole house generator is a large appliance that is permanently installed on your property. It can be fueled by natural gas or propane, and it automatically turns on when there is a power outage.
They are more powerful than portable generators, and they can run for longer periods of time without overheating or needing to be refueled. This is because they have liquid-cooled engines that are similar to car motors.
Size of your home
The size of your home is one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a whole house generator. Its size can affect the power output of your chosen wattage and whether it’s compatible with your fuel source. It’s also a good idea to get an estimate of the number of people who live in your home. In addition, you’ll want to be sure to consider your neighbors and your local utility provider before you make your decision. Getting the right size generator can ensure your peace of mind in case the unthinkable should occur.
The best way to go about it is to compile a list of all the appliances you use on a regular basis and then do the math. This will give you an idea of what power you’ll need and allow you to shop around for the best price. This will help to ensure you’re not overpaying for a high octane generator that doesn’t deliver.
Number of appliances
The size of your home will impact the number of appliances you need to run during an emergency. This includes heating and cooling systems, lights, medical equipment, security devices and more.
To determine the size of whole house generator you need, first make a list of all the appliances and electrical devices you want to run during an outage. Next, calculate the wattage of each device.
Appliance wattage is usually measured in kilowatts or KW (kilowatt hours). You can find the wattage of your appliances by reading the owner’s manual or checking on their labels.
Start-up wattage, which is called surge wattage, is normally 2-3 times higher than running wattage. It’s important to know this because if you have air conditioning or other appliances with motors, they will draw more power to start up than they need to run constantly.
Typically, a 10,000-watt air conditioner needs 2,200 starting watts and 1,500 running watts to operate. Add this to the wattage of your refrigerator and you will need at least 5,400 starting watts and 3,000 running watts to run all your appliances during an outage.
Types of appliances
When you’re considering what size generator to buy, the first thing you need to know is which appliances you’ll want it to run during a power outage. For example, do you need your refrigerator, air conditioner and lights to run during an outage?
In this case, you’ll need a generator that can deliver the total wattage needed for all of those appliances. Use the wattage estimation tool below to determine how many kilowatts you need, and then look for generators that offer this amount of kW output.
The wattage estimation tool isn’t 100% accurate, but it will give you a general idea of how much power your home needs. Keep in mind that some appliances (like air conditioning systems and refrigerators) need a lot of start-up wattage to get them going, so it’s important to factor that into your calculations.
Next, consider how often you’ll need your generator to power those items. If you need it to run for a short time, say, an hour or so at a time, you’ll need a slightly smaller generator than one that runs for a long period of time.
The amount of time you want to be able to run your appliances
First, let’s take a close look at your household energy consumption in kWh’s. Next, consider the type of fuel you want to burn and where it will best fit your budgetary constraints. This will give you the lion’s share of a happy and healthy home for the foreseeable future. Lastly, a little research into the types of devices you use the most will get you the best bang for your buck in the long term.