Click here to read our affiliate disclaimer. Vitality Gear may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this post at no extra cost that helps to support the site.
When it comes to preparing for a potential power failure, one crucial question often arises: “What size generator do I need to run my house?” It’s a great question, but the answer isn’t as straightforward as we might hope. Determining the ideal generator size for your home depends on a variety of factors that must be carefully considered.
In this expert guide, we are here to provide you with all the essential details and fascinating insights to help you find the perfect generator size for your specific requirements. No more guessing or puzzling over complex calculations – we’ve got you covered.
As a bonus, we’ve integrated a state-of-the-art generator size calculator right into this post, saving you from the hassle of intricate computations. With this automated generator size calculator, you can effortlessly obtain accurate measurements for running your appliances, ensuring that your generator meets or even exceeds your needs.
Our goal is to assist you in selecting the right generator that perfectly aligns with your budget, offers unwavering reliability, and caters to your unique household demands. Say goodbye to uncertainty and confusion; with our expert advice and practical tools, you can confidently power through any blackout with the optimal generator size.
Generator – Brief overview
For beginners, we will start our content with basic stuff on generators. If you already know about it, you’re welcome to skip this section and jump to the next one.
What is the main purpose of a generator?
As the name suggests, a generator serves the basic purpose to provide the electrical power necessary for the operations of various electronic equipment that is powered in your house or installed in your Recreational Vehicle (RV). You can have a variety of electronic equipment in your home including:
- LCD Television
- Multimedia system
- Refrigerator
- Microwave oven
- Air conditioner
- Lighting, of course
In addition to this, you may also have a pre-installed battery system in your house or camper, so these generators can charge up the batteries too. But we are talking about the general usage of a generator for powering your appliances during a short power outage so you can live as normally as you want and have these electronic to kitchen appliances continue to run.
How a generator provides power to the equipment?
A generator offers you smooth and effortless operations.
And in our home when the lights go out, you can hook up the generator to your house’s fuse box, it has electrical wiring connected to a circuit board that contains circuit breakers.
It is advised to unplug everything in your household before you use your generator to your breaker. Don’t plug in too many appliances.
If you decide that you will only need your generator for a day or two then you should put it outside your house and about 20 feet away from your house during the night, since carbon dioxide is poisonous and is a silent killer.
The generator provides power to the circuit board from where it is distributed to different appliances according to their power consumption needs (voltage and amperes).
How does a generator work?
A generator has three main components: 1) Fuel reservoir 2) Combustion chamber 3) Alternator.
Just like a car engine, a generator also needs some form of fuel and this fuel is stored in the fuel reservoir.
During operations, fuel from the reservoir is provided to the combustion chamber. In the combustion chamber, the fuel is burnt and the energy is converted into mechanical form (rotation like an electricity turbine). This mechanical energy is fed to the alternator where it is converted into electrical energy. This electrical energy reaches the main circuit box of your house. This main circuit box provides electric power to the components.
Why do you need a generator?
A generator can be a great asset to have, especially if you plan on using your RV to travel around the country. Here are a few reasons why you may want to consider getting a generator for your home:
You can use it to power your appliances
If you have a house, chances are you have at least a few appliances that you need to power. A generator can help you power those appliances, so you don’t have to worry about them running out of juice while you’re on the road.
You can use it to light up your RV’s cabin
If you’re traveling at night, you’ll need to have some form of light inside your home to provide the necessary illumination. You don’t want to be using the same old-school torch to light up the inside cabin of your house.
You can use it to power your air conditioner
If you’re traveling in hot weather, you’ll want to make sure your house has a working air conditioner. A generator can help you power your house air conditioner, so you can stay cool and comfortable while you’re on the road.
You can use it to power your water heater
If you’re traveling in cold weather, you’ll want to make sure your house has a working water heater. A generator can help you power your water heater, so you can have hot water when you need it.
You can use it to power your home’s furnace
If you’re traveling in cold weather, you’ll want to make sure your home has a working furnace. A generator can help you power your RV’s furnace, so you can stay warm and comfortable while you’re on the road.
You can use it to power your television
If you’re traveling with children, you’ll want to make sure they can watch their favorite shows while you’re on the road. A generator can help you power your television, so you can keep them entertained while you’re driving.
You can use it to power your stereo
If you’re a music lover, you’ll want to make sure you can listen to your favorite tunes while your engine is off. Obviously, you don’t want to run out of the battery needed for ignition. A generator can help you power your stereo, so you can jam out while you’re driving.
You can use it to power your computer
If you’re a computer geek, you’ll want to make sure you can stay connected while you are without power. A generator can help you power your computer, so you can stay connected to the internet while you wait.
You can use it to power your miscellaneous equipment
If you have any other miscellaneous equipment that you need to power, a generator can help you power it. This includes things like your GPS, your CB radio, and your satellite TV receiver.
How to choose the right-sized generator?
There are a few things to consider when choosing the right size generator for your home. Once you have understood these things, you can easily choose the right-sized generator for your household. In this section, we’ll try to answer your question about what size of generator I need to power a household.
First of all, the size doesn’t really mean the dimensions e.g. width, height, or weight. There are many things that you’ll need to take into account for addressing this issue.
Let’s dive deep into this:
Weight of a generator
A generator comes in a variety of weight options. The weight of a generator can vary depending on the model and make, but they typically weigh between 150 and 200 pounds. Some of the smaller, portable RV generators can weigh as little as 50 pounds.
However, certain heavy-duty generators weigh from 400 to 1,000 pounds. That is a lot of weight to have to deal with when you are traveling. If you are not used to towing a large trailer, it can be quite a challenge.
If you’re trying to save money on fuel, you may want to consider a lighter generator. A lighter generator will use less fuel and will also be easier on your engine and transmission.
Power Needs of your household and appliances
Probably the most important factor for deciding what size of generator I need to power all my appliances.
Now, this is one of the most important features to look at after all your aim is to power up your house’s appliances.
For determining your power needs, you will need to do a bit of work. Keep in mind that not all generators have the same power consumption.
The total power consumption needs to depend upon the specification of appliances, their quantity, and your usage patterns/preferences. In addition to this, different appliances also have different electrical specifications for starting up and getting running.
The following terms are commonly used in mentioning the electrical specifications of electrical appliances:
- Amperes
- Voltages
- Wattage or watts
Let’s just go through these terms quickly to give you a better idea:
Amperes (A)
This is a technical term that describes the amount of current needed by a device to work which is measured in different units like Amperes (A), mA (mili-Amperes), etc. As we have discussed earlier, different devices require different currents for smooth operation.
How much current can flow through the wiring of your house is actually dependent upon the wires and breakers used.
Some breakers can support a maximum of 10A current which means that whenever current exceeds this value, your breaker is simply going to turn off. RVs can have wirings that can support current anywhere from 10A to 60A.
Voltages (V)
Yet another technical term used in the specification of devices. Well, voltage helps current to flow through an electronic circuit on the basis of potential difference.
Some devices operate on alternating current (AC) while others operate on direct current (DC). When you’re using the batteries as a power source, the current is direct. On the contrary, devices powered by RV generators work with alternating currents.
Wattage or watts (W)
Wattage is a commonly used term that defines power. Mathematically, the wattage or watts of any device can be calculated by multiplying voltage with amperes.
For example, if a device requires 120 volts or 120V with 4A current then its power consumption (wattage) will be 120×4=480watts. Sounds simple? Ah! For choosing the right generator for your campervan, you’ll need to understand the fact that electrical.
appliances work with two types of wattages: starting and operational.
What are the starting watts?
Appliances like air conditioners, electric heaters,s or electric geysers require extra power for some time (ranging from a few seconds to minutes) which helps in the startup process.
These watts are also called surge watts. So, if you are looking to purchase a generator, then don’t forget to make notes about the starting watts required by your home’s appliances. Now, why is this important?
Generators have fixed power generation capacity and if your appliance requires surge watts more than this capacity then you won’t be able to run such devices on your generator. This can end up generator malfunctioning or raising the temperature of the wiring, which is extremely dangerous as the electrical wires can easily fire up.
What are running watts?
The power or watts needed for any appliance during its normal operation are known as the running watts. Running watts are lower in comparison with starting watts. For example, if an air conditioner requires 1600 surge watts then its running watts will be anywhere between 1200 to 1400. Why running watts are important? Have a look at this:
On your adventure trip, you might be using multiple appliances at the same time. For example, you might be working on your laptop while a number of RV lights are ON and the air conditioner is also running. In this case, your RV generator needs to provide power to all these appliances. So, keeping running watts calculations in consideration is also very important.
General Power Consumption of Electrical Appliances
In this section, we’ll present the average power consumption ranges of various electrical appliances. The power consumption is general. This specification may vary from one manufacturer to another or from one model to another.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The power-consumption ranges for all types of houses are general in nature. Depending on the appliances you’re using these ranges may increase or decrease. So, be careful with that. As a pro tip, we will suggest you note down the starting watts and running watts of each and every appliance that is already fitted in your RV. Moreover, don’t forget to add the wattage specifications of additional add-ons like laptops, smartphones, and power banks. Once you have got the list then you can use our house standby generator size calculator. We’ll also tell you how to use our generator size calculator in this blog post.
Usage pattern
Your usage pattern has to play a vital role in selecting the right-sized generator. It’s true that there is some appliance that runs on regular bases like a refrigerator and air conditioner. But what about other appliances? So, just ask yourself a few questions do you have a habit of using multiple appliances at the same time?
For example, you are using a dishwasher and a cloth washer at the same time or not. Carefully observe your pattern of using electrical appliances and list down the appliances you normally use simultaneously. This will give you a detailed insight into the maximum load that you will be needing from your generator.
Portability
Another thing that you should consider before choosing a generator for your home or campervan, there are mainly two types of generators:
- Fixed or vehicle-mounted
- Portable
Fixed or vehicle-mounted generators are fixed inside your campervans or RVs and have designated chambers. These sorts of RV generators are more powerful providing you a power of around 2000 to 13000 watts. These RV generators are useful for high-end RVs having a large number of appliances. One negative is that these generators are much heavier and you can’t port these RV generators easily.
On the other hand, portable generators are lightweight making it easier for you to lift and place around different places. However, portable generators are low-powered and suitable for low-powered appliances yet there are some high-powered generators that give as much power.
Generator Size Calculator
For the sake of your convenience, we have developed an accurate and reliable generator size calculator for you. You can use it to calculate the size of your home’s power consumption and determine the generator that best suits your needs. So, come on let’s see how to use it:
A brief overview of the calculator
This calculator has three tabs for different electrical appliances. These sections are:
- Heat, Light, and Cooling appliances
- Electronic devices
- Kitchen Appliances
Each tab has pre-added appliances.
In front of each appliance, you’ll see two fields: 1) Starting Wattage and 2) Running Wattage
Once you scroll down, you’ll see the ‘CALCULATE’ button that will tell you exactly the size that meets your needs. Now, you’ve got familiar with its user interface, let’s see how you can use it:
How to use the vitality gear’s generator size calculator? – [4 Quick Steps]
Step 1: Make a list of electrical appliances you will have in your house
Step 2: Use the list made in step 1, and note down the starting and running wattage of each device (You can find this information from the booklet or internet)
Step 3: Fill the calculator fields (starting and running wattage) for only those appliances that you have
Step 4: Hit the calculate button
What Size Generator Do I Need For My House Calculator
Select For Heat, Lights and Cooling
| Device | QTY | Starting Wattage | Running Wattage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Pump | 7200 | 5400 | |
| Air Conditioner | 2200 | 1500 | |
| Regular Light Bulbs | 100 | 100 | |
| Fan | 80 | 80 |
Select Electronic Device
| Device | QTY | Starting Wattage | Running Wattage |
|---|---|---|---|
| TV | 117 | 117 | |
| Laptop | 200 | 200 | |
| Desktop Computer | 220 | 220 | |
| Radio | 80 | 80 | |
| Wifi Router | 20 | 20 | |
| DVD Player | 13 | 13 |
Select Kitchen Appliance
| Device | QTY | Starting Wattage | Running Wattage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fridge | 1800 | 300 | |
| Oven | 3000 | 3000 | |
| Toaster | 1200 | 900 | |
| Freezer | 1800 | 180 | |
| Coffee Maker | 1300 | 1300 | |
| Dish Washer | 2000 | 1200 | |
| Dryer | 4500 | 4500 | |
| Washer | 1400 | 1400 | |
| Microwave | 800 | 500 | |
| Electric Stove | 1300 | 1000 | |
| Juicer | 700 | 700 | |
| Steamer | 1500 | 1500 | |
| Blender | 1000 | 1000 | |
| Pressure Cooker | 1200 | 1200 |
FAQs
What size generator do I need for my RV?
In general, the weight of your generator should be around 10% of your RV’s total weight. This means that if your RV weighs 5000 pounds, your generator should weigh around 500 pounds. So, for choosing the right RV generator, first, keep a check on the weight of your RV first.
Conclusion
Choosing a generator of the right size can be really challenging especially if you are a beginner. But, this should be done precisely and based on strong calculations. The main factors that contribute to the selection of a generator are the power requirement of appliances, your usage pattern, and campervan type.
If you are not able to do manual calculations then you can use our generator size calculator to get accurate results within a few seconds. However, you’ll need to do a bit of homework before using this calculator as it needs some data from users. Hopefully, you liked our free tool and hopefully answered your question “what size generator do I need” to run your camp, house, or RV when the lights go out.
Having a backup power source is key to having some of your appliances during a blackout. But, having a decently supply of wood and water is key to getting through a power outage. So, What Size Generator Do I Need For My House Calculator tool will help you out with making the right calculations according to the average wattage used for appliances in your house.
Read more:
