How Much Power Will I need?
This is the typical questions that everyone asks at one point or another. Most consumers do not understand how to calculate this into their consideration for what size generator will best suite their needs properly. Lets step back to high school physics.
- Watts = Volts x Amps
- Amps = Watts/Volts
You also need to take into consideration that some household items such as your refrigerator or freezer take more wattage to start them and less to keep it running. For example a typical refrigerator takes only about 700 watts to run it (yes, a full size refer/fridge combo). However, each time the compressor cycles it takes approximately 2200 watts to start it. This is the surge wattage of the appliance. We have listed below some typical items with there approximate required wattage. Keep in mind that if it is not listed you can also resort to calculating the requirement by using: Watts = Voltage x Amperage.
| Household |
Running Wattage |
Starting Wattage |
| Coffee Maker |
1750 |
0 |
| Dishwasher:Cool Dry |
700 |
1400 |
| Hot Dry |
1450 |
0 |
| Electric Fry Pan |
1300 |
0 |
| Electric Range:6-inch element |
1500 |
0 |
| 8-inch element |
2100 |
0 |
| Microwave Oven: 625 watts |
625 |
800 |
| Refrigerator or Freezer |
700 |
2200 |
| Toaster: 2-slice |
1050 |
0 |
| 4-slice |
1650 |
0 |
| Automatic Washer |
1150 |
2300 |
| Clothes Dryer: Gas |
700 |
1800 |
| Electric |
5750 |
1800 |
| Dehumidifier |
650 |
800 |
| Electric Blanket |
400 |
0 |
| Garage Door: 1/4 Horsepower |
550 |
1100 |
| 1/3 Horsepower |
725 |
1400 |
| Furnace Fan: 1/8 Horsepower |
300 |
500 |
| 1/6 Horsepower |
500 |
750 |
| 1/4 Horsepower |
600 |
1000 |
| 1/3 Horsepower |
700 |
1400 |
| 1/2 Horsepower |
875 |
2350 |
| Hair Dryers |
300 to 1200 |
0 |
| Iron |
1200 |
0 |
| Lights |
As indicated on bulb |
0 |
| Radio |
50 to 200 |
0 |
| Well Pump: 1/3 Horsepower |
750 |
1400 |
| 1/2 Horsepower |
1000 |
2100 |
| Sump: 1/3 Horsepower |
800 |
1300 |
| 1/2 Horsepower |
1050 |
2150 |
| Television |
300 |
0 |
| Vacuum Cleaner: Standard |
800 |
0 |
| Deluxe |
1100 |
0 |
| Central Air Conditioner:10,000 BTU |
1500 |
2200 |
| 20,000 BTU |
2500 |
3300 |
| 24,000 BTU |
3800 |
4950 |
| 32,000 BTU |
5000 |
6500 |
| 40,000 BTU |
6000 |
7800 | |
