What Size Generator to Run a 2000 Sq Ft House?

If you are wondering what size generator to run a 2000 sq ft house, you’ve come to the right place. Generally, you should buy a generator that meets all your energy needs. This article looks at factors you need to consider when buying a generator for your 2000 sq ft house.

Why Sizing Your Generator Matters?

There are two main mistakes you can make when buying a generator for your 2000 sq ft house: you can buy one that is too small to meet your energy needs or one that is too big for your needs. Whichever the case, you’ll be exposed to a unique set of challenges. 

Imagine buying a large standby generator to power your laptop or charge your smartphone. That would be a waste of energy. The same case applies to generators. You need to buy one that meets your specific needs. 

Besides, buying a generator that is too big means you are paying more than you should. Not to mention the fuel cost. Conversely, buying a smaller generator means you are investing in a device that will not meet your needs. Even though the unit might provide the power you need, it will be susceptible to overloading and damage after use for an extended period.

Understanding your power needs and buying a generator that can meet these needs will ensure an efficient power system. You should buy a generator that can handle surge and running power for your appliances. So, how do you size your generator? Let’s find out.

How To Size Your Generator?

Sizing your generator is not a daunting task, as long as you know your power needs. Essentially, you should list all your appliances with their surge and running wattage. With the total, you will know whether to size down or size up your generator.

Let’s look at scenarios when you should size down and size up.

When To Size Down

Sizing down occurs when your generator produces more energy than needed. For example, if you use at least 20kWh per day but buy a generator that can handle 30kWh, 10kWh will be wasted, especially if you don’t sell excess electricity to the grid. If this is the case, sizing down will be an ideal option. 

While small generators produce less energy, they are an ideal option if power outages in your area are brief. You don’t want to buy an expensive standby generator whereas you experience brief power outages once a month.

When To Size Up

If you want to be on the safer side, sizing up might be an ideal option. Having a generator with more storage capacity and AC output is a safer bet than sizing down. Purchasing a generator that produces more electricity than needed allows you to add more appliances in the future.

One downside of sizing up is that large generators consume more fuel and are more expensive to maintain. Besides, the larger the generator the more installation space it needs. And most residential areas restrict the installation of large fuel-powered generators due to their high noise levels.

As you’d guess, the larger the unit the larger the carbon footprint. The same case applies to large solar generators. While they do not emit toxic gases, they produce extra power that goes to waste. 

An oversized solar generator is also expensive; more expensive than a conventional generator. 

If you are unsure whether to size up or down, we’d recommend buying a “just enough” generator. Alternatively, you can consult a certified technician who’ll calculate your power needs and recommend the most ideal size. 

What Size Generator to Run a 2000 Sq Ft House?

You need to know which appliances your generators will be powering during the outage. This is similar to cooking where you need to list all the ingredients that go into preparing a recipe. So, how do you know the perfect size of generator for your house?

• List All Appliances

Start by listing all the appliances your generator will be powering. This could be all or a handful of appliances. It can range from the AC system, the refrigerator, the lighting system, and charging small appliances such as smartphones and laptops. With a list, you can then go to the next step.

• Determine The Starting And Running Wattage

The second step is to determine the starting and running wattage of your appliances. The starting wattage is the power a unit needs before it can run normally. This generally lasts for two to three seconds. Running wattage is the normal power an appliance needs to operate normally.

You can find these values in the appliance’s user manual or the manufacturer’s website. Some of the most common starting and running wattages include:

• Add Your Power Requirements 

Once you list the running and starting wattage, the next thing you need to do is calculate the total. Here, you need to add up the running wattage to get the total rated wattage. Next, pick the appliance with the highest starting wattage. This will be the peak power requirement.

For example, if the generator will be powering your coffee maker, heating system, TV, and refrigerator, the  total running wattage will be:

1000W + 1500W + 500W + 700W = 3700W

Now, the highest starting wattage is 3000W. As such, you’ll need a generator that can handle a running wattage of 3700W and a starting wattage of 300W.

For this, you can choose the BLUETTI AC500 + B300S Home Battery Backup. It has a 5,000W rated wattage and a 10,000W surge power. This means it can power large appliances such as your refrigerator and AC system.

With a capacity of 3,072Wh that can be expanded to 18,432Wh, it allows you to enjoy an uninterrupted power supply throughout the night or blackout. The best part is that you can charge it through solar, lead-acid batteries, your car, and another generator. 

Related articles: What Size Solar Generator Do I Need For My Home?

What Size Solar Generator Do I Need For A 3 Bedroom House?

What Size Solar Generator Do You Need for a House?

How To Choose The Right Generator?

There are other factors you need to consider besides the generator’s size. They include:

• Battery Capacity

Well, if you’ll be powering your appliances during an extended power outage, you’ll need a high-capacity generator. And this unit ought to have a suitable charging time. You don’t want to buy one that takes more than eight hours to charge.

If you are expecting a prolonged power outage, you can opt for the BLUETTI EP900 + B500 Home Battery Backup. With it, you can store and sell excess energy to the grid. The unit can power 240V and 120V devices with ease. 

And thanks to the 19,840Wh capacity, you are sure to get enough energy to run most of the basic electrical appliances in your home.

On the other hand, if you are expecting a short power outage and the generator will be powering small appliances, a unit with lesser power output might be your best bet. Better yet, one that is portable and compact in design.

A perfect option would be the BLUETTI EB3A Portable Power Station. The generator has a 600W running and a 1,200W surge power rating. This makes it an ideal option for powering smaller appliances. With it, you can charge your phone, laptop, drone, or mini fridge. 

• Eco-Friendliness

Another aspect to consider is how eco-friendly the unit is. Generally, fuel-powered generators pollute the environment. They produce toxic gases that are also harmful to your health.

Solar generators on the other hand produce clean, renewable electricty, meaning they reduce your carbon footprint. So, if you are more concerned about the environment, a solar generator is your perfect fit.

• Noise Level

As you’d expect, solar generators are incredibly silent since they have no moving parts. Fuel-powered generators are notoriously noisy. They are loud and disruptive hence the reason why most neighborhoods ban them. And if you are living in a condo, your only choice would be to install a solar generator. 

• Cost And Maintenance 

Finally, you need to buy a generator that is within your budget. Solar generators can be more expensive initially than conventional fuel-powered generators.

However, since they have fewer moving parts, the maintenance cost will be minimal. Besides, you are not footing for fuel bills. 

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right size of generator for your 2000 sq ft house depends on your power requirements. Ideally, you should buy a generator that produces slightly higher energy than needed. And if you are cash-strapped, you can always size down your generator.