What Size Generator Do You Need?
Calculate generator wattage needed based on the appliances you want to power during an outage.
Generator Sizing
Generators must handle both running watts (continuous load) and starting watts (surge when motors kick on). A refrigerator runs at 700W but surges to 2,200W when the compressor starts. Add up running watts for everything you want to power simultaneously, then add the largest starting surge. This total is your minimum generator size.
Generator Types
Inverter portable (2,000-4,000W): Quiet, fuel-efficient, clean power for electronics. Good for essentials (fridge, lights, chargers). $500-1,500. Conventional portable (3,500-10,000W): Louder, more power, less expensive per watt. Good for more appliances. $400-1,200. Standby (7,500-22,000W): Permanently installed, automatic start when power fails. Powers most or all of the house. $3,000-15,000 installed.
The most dangerous generator mistake: running it indoors or in an attached garage. Carbon monoxide from generators kills 70+ people per year in the US. Run generators outdoors only, at least 20 feet from any door or window, with the exhaust pointing away from the house. Buy a CO detector for inside the house — they cost $20 and save lives.
