When sizing your whole house generator, you’ll need to consider a few factors. First, you will need to estimate how much power you need for your home, based on the square footage of your home and the appliances you’ll be using. If you want to be extra sure of your calculations, you may want to hire a professional.
Calculating wattage requirements
If you are thinking about installing a whole house generator, it’s important to calculate wattage requirements first. This will help you decide which size of generator to purchase.
To calculate wattage requirements, you’ll need to identify the appliances you want to run when the power goes out. This includes refrigerators, air conditioners, lights, and computers. Also, you’ll need to account for surge wattage. For example, if you have a window air conditioner, you’ll need more watts to start it.
You can calculate your wattage requirements by multiplying your appliances’ running watts by their starting watts. The more appliances you have, the larger the generator you’ll need.
When you’re calculating wattage requirements, make sure you include your air conditioning system and sump pump. These two items require a large start-up load. Likewise, compressors and motors require higher running loads.
Once you have your list of appliances, you can use a generator sizing sheet to determine their starting wattage. Most appliances have similar running watts.
Consider your appliances
If you are thinking of purchasing a home generator, you need to consider your appliances. While the generator may be your best bet for coping with a power outage, your electricity usage will vary depending on the model you choose. Before you make a purchase, take into account the size of your home, the number of appliances and the type of fuel you use.
Aside from the obvious air conditioning unit and electric appliances, your home’s square footage will also affect the size of generator you need. For instance, a larger home will require a generator with more watts.
To get an idea of what you need, make a list of all the major appliances in your home. This includes lights, a microwave, refrigerator, washer and dryer, television, sump pump, and home heater. You might also want to include things like a TV with a DVD player, a computer, and a coffee maker.
When you are measuring the watts a generator needs, be sure to factor in the startup wattage. Unlike running wattage, this number is much higher, typically three to four times more.
Consider your home’s square footage
One of the most important things to keep in mind when sizing up a home is its square footage. A bigger space is conducive to a more robust backup plan and a better chance of staying dry should the need arise. In a storm prone locale, this can be a major plus. With that in mind, there are many factors to consider when looking to purchase a generator. If you are considering a whole house solution, you’ll be well-served by reading up on the ins and outs of the genre before you make the leap. This is especially true if you are on the hunt for a new ac unit. The following guide will help you make the best possible choice. After all, there’s nothing worse than putting your hard earned cash on the line with an overly ambitious product.
For starters, you will want to know the size of your home before you consider buying a power supply. There are many models out there, so it is important to consider the specifics before making the final decision. You will also want to weigh the pros and cons of a portable versus an all-in-one ac unit.
Hire a professional
Sizing a whole house generator can be a tricky task. You need to do the calculations properly in order to prevent damage to the electrical system. This can lead to a variety of issues, including carbon monoxide poisoning, electrocution, and death. Hiring a professional to help you with the calculations can make the process easier and stress-free.
In order to determine the correct wattage for your home, you need to take into account the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, living spaces, and appliances you will be powering. Also, you need to figure out how many watts you will need to start up each appliance. The total amount of watts used can help you determine the size of a generator you should buy.
Many people decide to install a generator without considering the proper size. This can result in a poorly-sized unit, which will not provide the necessary power to your appliances. It can also cause damage to the wiring in your home.