Power outages are a common occurrence in most states. Without a power backup solution, your food, medication, and drinks might go bad. Thankfully, you canopy for a generator to ensure a consistent supply of power. But one common question among homeowners is: What size of generator do I need? Let’s find out.
How Much Generator Power Do You Need?
Well, this will depend on the appliances and running requirements. Some appliances, such as refrigerators and dishwashers have starting and running wattage. This can affect the size of the generator you’ll need. And if you have many small and large appliances, you’ll arguably need a large generator with more power. That said, a 5,000W to 8,000W rated generator can power an American home with ease.
What is Starting, Running, And Surge Wattage？
To understand the right size for your needs, there are several terms you need to know their meaning. They are starting, running, and surge wattage. Let’s look at each.
Starting Wattage
This is the wattage needed for an electric appliance to start. Ideally, it is twice or thrice the running wattage of the said appliance. Most appliances, especially large ones, require more wattage to start than to run normally.
When there’s a power outage, a generator must handle the starting and the running wattage. Common appliances with a starting wattage include refrigerators, heating systems, and dishwashers. An ideal generator needs to handle the highest starting wattage of your appliances.
Running Wattage
Also known as rated wattage, it is the amount of wattage any appliance needs to operate normally. Most appliances have their running wattage on the user manual and shipping boxes. You can also get the same from the manufacturer’s website.
Surge wattage
Surge wattage is the highest wattage your generator can produce. As you buy BLUETTI generators, you’ll find some with a 7,000W or 10,000W rating. This is the highest power they can produce. If you’ll be running several large electric appliances, having a generator with an additional 2,000 watts can be a boon.
What Difference Between Watts, Amps, And Volts?
Understanding the difference between watts, amps, and volts can help you choose the right generator for your home. It means you’ll buy just the right size of generator mitigating the need to size up or down in the future.
Voltage is the pressure that pushes electrons in a conductor from one point to another. This pressure is measured in volts. Ideally, voltage travels from a high-voltage area to a low-voltage point.
Amperage is the measure of how strong a charge flows through a conductor. It measures the amount of electricity running through a circuit. Amperage is denoted as amps and is named after the French physicist Andre-Marie Ampere.
In a breaker box, you’ll find several circuit breakers with different circuit breakers listed as 30 amps, 20 amps, and 15 amps. As you’d guess the larger the amperage, the more electricity can flow through the circuit.
Types of Generator
So, which generators are recommended in most American households? Let’s find out.
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Portable Generators
As the name suggests, they are portable, meaning you can transport them from one place to another. Better still, they are compact in design allowing you to store them in tight places. Whether you want to keep them in your basement or store, you won’t need much floor space. Unfortunately, they produce less energy than inverters and standby generators. It means you can only use them to charge small electric appliances.
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Solar-powered Generators
Solar-powered generators are stand-alone power systems that provide a reliable source of electricity for outdoor activities, emergencies, or off-grid areas by capturing sunlight and converting it into electricity. They typically include solar panels, battery storage, and an inverter, allowing users to charge electronic devices, lighting, and small appliances without traditional power sources. This portable, environmentally friendly energy solution is widely used for camping, outdoor adventures and emergency backup. Nowadays, solar-powered generators also offer a variety of charging options, which can be the perfect solution to the shortcomings of not being able to charge when there is no sun.
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Inverter Generators
Another popular generator in American homes is inverter units. Unlike conventional generators, they convert AC power into DC power and then invert it back to stable AC power. They do this through a rectifier. They are ideal for running appliances such as refrigerators, air-conditioners, and heating systems. As you’d expect, they are compact and lightweight.
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Standby Generators
Also known as backup generators, they are the most popular options for residential and commercial backup power solutions. Most modern models turn on automatically when there’s a blackout. Convenient but noisy units, standby generators run on diesel or gas. This means they produce toxic gases, hence their ban in most residential areas. A downside for using standby generators is that they require regular maintenance, which often becomes costly.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Generator
If you are wondering what factors should influence your buying decision, this section got you sorted. From power requirements to fuel choice, here are aspects you need to consider when choosing a generator.
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Power requirements
What appliances will you be running? For how long? Answering these questions will help you determine your power requirements. As mentioned, portable generators produce less energy, meaning you can use them on phones, TVs, and other small appliances.
On the other hand, inverter, solar, and standby generators can power large and small appliances. To know the power requirements, make a list of the devices the generator will be powering. If possible, list in terms of wattage. Ideally, air conditioners, space heaters, and dryers have the highest wattage requirement.
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Fuel Source
If you’re not using a solar generator, you need to consider the generator’s fuel source. There are three types of fuel sources: gasoline, natural gas, and propane. Most generators will run on gasoline since it is the most available fuel.
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Budget
Your budget is arguably the chief determinant of the generator you can buy. If you are cash-strapped, a portable generator might be your best bet. If you can splash money on a large unit, we’d recommend going for the standby or a large solar generator.
Related articles: House Generators--A Perfect Solution To Power Outage
How to Choose The Best Whole House Solar Generator?
Tips for Choose the Right Size Generator
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Consider The Load Size
First, you need to consider all the appliances the generator will be running. Make a list and add up the total wattage. This will help you determine the electrical power required in your household. You can find the wattage info on the silver nameplate or the manufacturer's website. Keep in mind that some appliances have starting and running wattage. Factor in the highest starting wattage when sizing your generator.
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Convert kW to kVA
Once you add up the total wattage, you’ll end up with the kW requirement. This is the actual power the load will use to produce ample power. Generators, whether solar or inverter, are rated in kVA. Ideally, kW is equal to kVA.
However, generators are not 100% efficient. As such, you’ll need to convert kW to kVA. To do this, you’ll need to know its efficiency which falls between 0 and 1. Generators have a power factor of 0.8, according to international standards.
To convert kW to kVA, use the following formula:
kW / Power Factor = kVA
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Consider The Running Requirements
Will you use the generator as your primary or backup source of power? If you’ll use it as the backup option, you can purchase that which meets the running and starting wattage. If it will be your primary source of power, especially during prolonged power outages, you’ll need to size for at least 70% capacity.
3 Generators Recommend for You
BLUETTI EP500 Solar Power Station
This workhorse will provide just the right power to run most of your critical appliances. With 5100Wh capacity, whether you want to power your refrigerator, AC, or freezer, this option got you covered. The best part is that it comes with a built-in storage system. As such, you can use it at night or during periods of little to no sunlight.
It is also equipped with a 2000W Pure Sine Inverter that ensures the produced power is stable and safe for use. You also get rubberized wheels for optimal maneuverability. Unlike conventional generators, it allows you to connect many devices simultaneously. For convenient control, you get an App and a smart touchscreen.
While a workhorse, it comes in a compact design, weighing 76kg, and has a size ideal for tight spaces. You’ll also love its elegant design.
BLUETTI AC300 + 1*B300
If you are looking for a generator that is expandable, this is the perfect choice for you. It has a minimum capacity of 3,072Wh and a maximum capacity of 12,288Wh. This ensures you get enough power to run large appliances such as refrigerators and AC systems. What’s more? It is equipped with a 3,000W pure sine inverter for stable and clean current production.
Like most BLUETTI power stations, it provides up to seven charging ways ranging from AC, lead-acid, solar, and your car. This means you can recharge its battery from 3 to 20 hours. And for fast charging, it comes with a dual charging feature, allowing you to use solar and an AC power source. This combination gives you a maximum output of 5400W.
BLUETTI AC500 + B300S
Finally, get yourself this powerful generator from BLUETTI with a maximum capacity of 18,432Wh. It also features an app control which works on Bluetooth and WiFi. this means you can control and monitor it from any room in your house. You recharge it using your car, AC, lead-acid, and solar.
With a 5000W inverter, you are sure your devices are running on maximum power. Furthermore, the inverter ensures your devices are safe from distorted and unsafe electricity. This generator is an ideal option if you want to run large appliances simultaneously. It is suited for temperature levels of between -20 C and 40 C.
Make Your Decision
Your power requirements, appliance wattage, and battery capacity will determine the generator size you need for your home. Make sure to choose a generator that provides more than the required power to prevent it from running at full load.
