Residential Generator Sizing Chart
Determining Your Energy Needs
The first thing you need to do is determine what size generator would work best for your particular requirements. This section will help walk you through that process. When purchasing a generator, it’s important that you select one that’s capable of meeting your energy requirements.
You must match the rated output of the generator to the maximum anticipated power to be used. This section will assist you in estimating the power requirements so you can purchase the generator that will satisfy your needs. This includes using the accompanying worksheet to make a list of the tools and appliances you expect to operate, as well as the approximate power requirements for each device.
Once you have the list, you can estimate the highest demand that will be put on the generator under the “worst-case” conditions. With this figure, you can determine the appropriate generator for your particular needs.
Home Generator Sizing Chart
This chart lets you immediately add up all of the appliances you will most likely utilize.
Follow these steps when determining your energy needs:
- Identify the wattage requirements for the tools and appliances that you want to power. The power requirement for the tool or appliance can be found on its identification plate or in the Owner’s Manual. If the power requirement is given in amps, multiply the amps times volts to derive the required watts.
Amps x Volts = Watts
2. Add up the required watts of all the tools and appliances you expect to operate simultaneously.
3. The total watts derived in step 2 is the size generator you need. These three simple steps will “size” a generator.