Imagine you throw a big party, and the power goes out, what are you going to do? Relocate your guests to a new place? Definitely not! We have all been in situations when the lights go out at the most important moments. But a simple solution to such problems is a backup generator.
But when it comes to buying a generator, most face difficulty because of a lack of knowledge. Truth be told, it’s a simple process if you know the tricks.
So, if you are thinking about what size generator do I need for a 1,500 square foot house, or will a generator run my entire house, you are at the right place to get your queries answered.
What Does the Generator Size Mean?
To determine the perfect size generator, you need to start from the basics. Let us talk about the generator size. What do you think it means? Does it mean the physical size? Well, we don’t blame you for thinking like that. Most people make the same mistake.
Let’s correct you; the size of the generator is expressed in watt. The more power it can deliver, the bigger is its size. That means the physical size of the generator does not define how powerful it is.
So, you should choose home backup generators depending on how much wattage you plan to run during power outages instead of just going for the big ones.
How to Calculate Your Wattage to Know What Size Generator You Need
Now, you might be wondering how you can find out your total power needs. Well, to get the correct size generator, finding out your wattage need is a crucial step. Because without this step, you might end up buying a larger generator than necessary.
And the downside of that is that you will have to pay extra cost than your actual power requirement even if you have fewer power outages. On the other hand, getting a too small generator is also a huge risk. If you force your generator to power more than it can handle, you might end up damaging your critical household equipment.
Therefore, we will help you find the perfect generator according to your need for your entire home. With these three easy steps, you will be set and ready to go:
Step 1: List Your Appliances
Start by jotting down the names of all the essential appliances you need to power during an emergency power outage.
You may want to include your air conditioner, lighting circuits, freezer, well pump, clothes dryer, and more.
Step 2: Find out the Wattage of Each Appliance
Find out how many watts the selected appliances need to run. While doing this, you need to pay attention to two specific wattage types, the starting and running wattage. The running watts are the electrical power a device needs to run.
On the other hand, a starting wattage, also known as surge watt, is the spike or kick start power a machine needs while starting. Even though the starting watt lasts only for a few seconds, you still must consider these numbers.
If you plan to run your refrigerator or air conditioner, this step is a must because the starting and running watts of equipment significantly differ.
Step 3: Add up the Numbers
The last step is to add up the numbers of all the appliances, and the amount you get is the average estimate of the total wattage needed for your house. This rough estimate will give you an idea of the generator you need.
However, these numbers are just average estimates. If you want to find the exact number, you should consider professional help.
Generally, a generator rated 2200 to 4000 watts will be good enough to power a 1500 square foot house.
But it will depend on the selected appliances you choose to run. All these appliances will be the key determining factor of your generator size.
Types of Generators
Now that you have an idea about your total wattage and generator sizes, it is time to talk about the different house generators you can consider for your house.
Various generators serve various purposes; depending on how much electricity you need and power cuts your area experiences, you will have to find the one that will be the best fit for your home.
Portable Generators
A portable generator is the best option for you if you face occasional power cuts. These are generally less costly and come in more of a compact size. With its sturdy wheels and handles, you can move them conveniently from one place to another.
Furthermore, you can easily use them to power your 1500 sq ft home, including your critical appliances.
Moreover, a large portable generator is also fit for construction sites. Hence, if you want to use your generator for multiple purposes, you should go for these devices.
Standby Generators
A standby generator is suitable for households that face frequent load shedding. It is a perfect whole house generator that has a transfer switch option. So, you don’t have to manually turn the device on every time the lights go down.
A standby generator is a high-watt generator that can handle extra watts, making it perfect for your most critical household equipment.
Furthermore, you will have the option to connect your items directly, or you can professionally wire your appliances, including lighting circuits, with the device.
Inverter Generators
If you do not like the loud noise of these machines, an inverter generator will be the right choice for you. This backup generator is less noisy and more efficient with regard to fuel usage. Unlike the traditional devices, this is comparatively a smaller generator that offers a lot of convenience to its users.
Moreover, it produces safe electricity, perfect for sensitive electronics. However, these devices do not have transfer switches.
If you plan to power more wattage-consuming equipment with this one, you should consider generators that come with transfer switches.
Without the feature, you will risk your home appliance and the electric grid of the whole neighborhood.
Gasoline Generators
Gasoline generators are less costly, and people prefer them for their affordability. However, these tend to make a loud noise which can be intolerable for noise-sensitive people. Also, these are not the best option when it comes to power-sensitive electronics.
But, these also come in a smaller size, making them easy to carry to different places. Price and portability are two of the main reasons these machines are popular.
Final Words
What size generator do I need for a 1,500 square foot house?
We’re sure now you can answer this question with confidence. Now you know everything you should know before getting a home generator. So, without any delay, it is time to calculate how much electrical power you need and grab the suitable generators for your home!