What Appliances Can a Whole-House Generator Power?

These systems restore power almost instantly when the grid goes down so that your home continues running with little interruption. This is especially valuable if you have medical equipment that absolutely requires power.

Still, a generator installation is not some plug-and-play device. One of the most important questions to ask is “What can the generator actually power?” Well, it depends. In this brief article brought to you by Mr. Electric, we break it down clearly.

Understanding What’s a Watt

Generators produce electricity measured in watts (or kilowatts; 1 kilowatt equals 1,000 watts). Every appliance and device in your home consumes a specific amount of watts when running.

The fundamental rule is simple: your generator must produce more watts than all the devices you want to run simultaneously.

Here's where it gets tricky, though: Different appliances demand vastly different amounts of power. So, let’s get a basic grasp of what wants what watts:

• Low Consumers: These devices barely register on your generator's capacity. Think things like LED light bulbs, phone chargers, WiFi routers, and even your laptop or television. They typically consume less than 100-200 watts each.
• Medium Consumers: These appliances form the core of basic home function. They include the refrigerator (600-800 watts), microwave (600-1,200 watts), garage door opener (300-500 watts), and coffee maker (800-1,200 watts) among others.
• High Consumers: These appliances consume serious power and running multiple simultaneously can overwhelm most generators. For instance, HVAC systems can consume 5,000+ watts, large water heaters may demand over 4,000 watts, and pool equipment may need a couple thousand watts.

Notice the wide range. A generator must handle not only the running watts but also the startup surge that many motors require. More on this next.

Starting Watts vs. Running Watts

Here’s something that throws many elementary calculations off. There’s starting watts, and there’s running watts. Your air conditioner might run on 3,500 watts but need 7,000 watts for the few seconds it takes to start.

Your generator must be able to handle these temporary spikes coming from starting watts, and not just steady running loads. Professional load calculations account for starting watts to ensure your generator can handle actual demands.

Professional Load Calculations Matter

With this info on hand, you might be emboldened to do some “back of the napkin math” to determine what generator you need, but be warned: Size the generator too small and you risk overloads, equipment damage, and insufficient power; too large and you waste thousands of dollars on unnecessary capacity.

A certified electrician will evaluate your specific situation; They list all appliances and devices you want to power, measure actual power consumption, account for starting watts and surge requirements, consider simultaneous usage patterns, and factor in future additions or changes.

Only after this nuanced and careful calculation will they give you a precise recommendation for generator size.

Making the Right Choice for Your Home

Not every homeowner wants or needs to power everything during an outage. Some choose to run only essential circuits while, to be clear, others prefer full-house coverage.

So, making the right choice for your home is a personal matter. The team at Mr. Electric is happy to help you make that decision, and we’ve got you covered with a professional installation so you hit the ground running with your new investment.

Contact Mr. Electric Today

Whether you need an electrician’s insight, want to schedule a generator installation, or just need emergency electrical repair service, the dedicated team at Mr. Electric is here to help. Call or message us today to get in touch!