What Size Generator Do I Need to Power a 2000 Sq Ft House

Power outages on regular days do not last for long; however, losing power due to extreme weather or any natural disaster is a whole different story! Some power outages during bad weather conditions even last for weeks.

Situations like these can cause uncountable inconveniences starting from spoiled food, frozen pipe, and whatnot.

We’ve all been there! But what can be the solution? You guessed it, a generator! Generators can power your whole house, no matter how big or small. However, the right sized generator is a must to solve your problem.

So, if you’re wondering, “what size generator do I need to power a 2000 sq ft house?” we are here to answer.

What the Size of a Generator Means?

In simple words, the size of a generator has nothing to do with how big or small it is. Rather, generator size depends on their electrical capacity. That’s right! These machines are sized depending on their power capacity, not their physical size.

Most people make this common mistake and think a larger size means more electrical power. The size is generally measured in watts or kilowatts.

That being said, it is essential to know how much electrical power a generator can deliver before getting one for your entire home. If your house generator is too big compared to what you need, you will be paying way too much than the required amount for both the unit and maintenance.

On the other hand, you don’t want to get a smaller generator than your requirement either because it will overheat and stop working. Not only that, forcing a home generator to supply more energy than it can handle can also harm your home appliances and sensitive electronics like a refrigerator, air conditioner, and more.

Therefore, getting the correct size generator is a must! With the right size generator, you will be getting the most power for your whole house at the least cost.

Know Your Wattage

The easiest way to figure out the exact size generator you need is to calculate the total wattage of all the essential appliances you want to run during an outage. It will help you determine a rough estimate of the generator you need once you calculate how many watts you want to power.

However, before you grab your calculator, it is essential to note that all the machines do not have the same starting wattage and running wattage. For instance, a refrigerator or well pump draws more wattage while starting.

This appliance can cause unexpected surges, throwing off your watt calculation. Consequently, it is wise to add a few extra watts while calculating.

How to Calculate Total Wattage?

With a few simple steps, you will be able to find out the total watt you need to get the right-sized generator for your whole house:

  • Make a list of all the home appliances you want to power
  • Find out the watt of all the selected appliances; it is usually written on the appliance label
  • Keep in mind; you will also have to count the starting wattage along with the running watts so that surge watts do not mislead your calculation
  • Once you have jotted down all the starting and running wattage, the last step is to add them up, and there you have it; the number will guide you to find the perfect size generator for your home

However, finding these average estimates at home without any professional calculator may not always give you an accurate result. Hence, using a proper watt calculator or taking the help of a professional electrician is a better idea to determine the total watt needed.

Types of Generators

We have talked a lot about watts and appliances; now, you should know about the different types of generators that you can buy to keep your entire house alive during a power outage.

Stand by Generator

Standby generators are also known as home backup generators. This device remains installed in one place permanently and automatically starts when lights go down, providing you with uninterrupted electricity.

A backup generator can run on gas, diesel, or propane. Moreover, it comes with big external tanks, which last for up to 48 hours without refueling.

This standby generator features an efficient commercial engine attached to the skid. Moreover, it has an automatic transfer switch installed to run any device instantly during an outage. This device will be a permanent solution for your power outage issues by ensuring a seamless continuous flow of electricity.

However, this backup generator can be costly and requires regular maintenance to function properly.

Portable Generator

Portable generators are the best option for you if you live in an area that faces minimal power cuts. You can use it to temporarily power your important appliances with a standard plug for a short amount of time.

Moreover, larger portable generators will provide you with ample power to even run refrigerators and lights of your whole home.

These machines are easily available and cost way less than a home standby generator. You can also easily carry them on a long drive and charge essential electronics with extension cords. However, it requires high maintenance and protection during extreme weather conditions.

Gasoline Generator

A gasoline generator is the most common and popular type of generator. The reason is, it is highly affordable as well as portable.

However, one downside of this machine is that it produces a loud noise that can irritate your ears and cause trouble for your neighbors. However, you can go for standby gasoline devices that make less noise than the traditional ones.

What Sized Generator Should You Get?

Now that you have a clear idea of everything, including the type of devices, how to calculate wattage, and more. It is time to talk about what size generator you need to really get according to the size of your house.

Generally, an 18K watts generator easily covers a 2000 square foot home. Moreover, it is the right size generator for you to run your heating and cooling system at the same time as all the appliances of the whole home.

However, if you want to run a more energy-consuming appliance like a refrigerator or air conditioning system, you might have to consider getting a larger generator. A 25kW machine can cover all your above-average power needs, including large appliances and car charging.

Final Words

So, hopefully, now you won’t be wondering, “what size generator do I need to power a 2000 sq ft house?” anymore. You know exactly what to look for and how to quickly estimate all your total wattage needed.

So, buckle up and head out to get the perfect generator for your home. Never go out of lights with right-sized generators!

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