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How Much Generator Do I Need? A Guide to Choosing the Right Size

January 26, 2019

Power outages can leave you and your family in the dark for days or even weeks. Strong storms such as those during a major disaster are one of the most common causes of a power outage.

Losing power often results in expensive problems like spoiled food or frozen pipes. If you live in an area where storms are common, a backup generator is a good investment.

But you may be wondering, how much generator do I need, exactly? Knowing the correct size to buy beforehand saves you a lot of money and hassle. Read on to find out how much power you need.

Determine the Wattage Needed

The first step to figuring out how much power you need is to determine how much wattage your home or business uses. Generators are sized by watts or kilowatts, which measure electricity.

The size depends on what you have hooked up to your generator. Appliances like refrigerators and AC units use more power when they turn on, but less when they run. These momentary power drains are surge watts.

Take both surge wattage and steady-state wattage into account when calculating the power you need for your home.

Generators for Business vs Generators for Home

Generator size depends on the tools and appliances that connect to it and how much wattage you need. Because of this, you will need a different size for your home than you would for your business.

For example, contractors and construction workers use portable generators to power their tools on a job site. Businesses that need to protect food in commercial freezers need a generator that can handle the wattage.

If you need a backup generator for use at home, the power you need will be different. The size of your home and the number of devices hooked up to your generator make a difference.

To get an exact measurement of the wattage you need, hire an electrician. Find a good electrician that will be able to help you find the best fit for a generator.

What Size Generator Do I Need for My Home?

Able Sales has generators for businesses and for use at home. When buying a generator, make a list of all of the electronics and appliances you need in the event of an emergency.

Now you might be asking, what generator do I need anyway?

The smallest and cheapest generator that would be useful in an emergency is a portable type. Portable generators measure up to 7,500 watts.

A home standby costs more but can run up to 20,000 watts. It is also permanently installed and can power everything in the home. These generators can run on natural gas or with propane.

Make sure you follow backup generator safety tips when using a generator.

How Much Generator Do I Need? A Final Word

Don’t ask yourself, how much generator do I need? Get an electrician to help.

After you determine how many devices and appliances you need to run, speak to an electrician to get the correct wattage. Once you have a number, you can determine the generator size that you need.

The next time the power goes out, you won’t be left in the dark again.

For more posts like this one, check out the house section of our blog for home advice and tips.

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About Me

Hello all!!!! I'm Darcy and I recently started writing on My Zeo about health and fitness (and part of that important health equation is sleep!). As we are all super busy with life, I try to integrate how to stay fit, relax and be healthy and happy through everyday life.

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