GENERATOR SIZES AND TYPES FOR HOME OR BUSINESS

Home and business owners often ask us two questions:

1. What size generator do I need? and
2. Should use a portable or stationary generator for my home or business? This great article by Coleman, a leading manufacturer of home generators was adapted to answer this question for you. Read each section carefully and you will see how each type of generator fits into you power backup planning.

Power Generation, What Size Do I Need?


In the past, enduring a power outage was as simple as lighting a candle and the fireplace. Not anymore. Without electricity, basements can flood. Security systems can falter. Home businesses can fail. Many homeowners are unable or unwilling to wait out the next power outage, so they are installing backup power systems in their homes. The first step in purchasing a backup power source is figuring out how much power you need. Power generation systems are rated according to the number of kilowatts (kW) of electricity they produce. The following chart quickly summarizes how much electricity various power generators can produce.

Rated Watts
Description
Degrees of Power
5 kW
A basic system that can restore power to multiple "survival appliances".
Four lights, furnace fan, sump pump and refrigerator/freezer
6.5 kW
A small system to keep all the survival appliances operating and a few extras.
Survival appliances plus family room.
8 kW
A mid-Sized system to help you weather powerless days and nights.
Survival appliances plus family room and home office.
10 kW
An emergency backup power system providing comfort and security.
Survival appliances plus family room, home office and kitchen.
15 kW
A powerful system with enough energy to run a small home.
Survival appliances plus family room, home office kitchen and laundry room.
25 kW
A mini-power plant that can run a small to mid-sized home or business.
All of the above plus an air conditioning system.
30 kW and up
A mini-power plant that can run a mid-sized to large home or business.
All of the above and more. Live in total comfort.

For a more detailed analysis, use our interactive Wattage Requirement Guide to determine how much power you'll need during a blackout. It's very important not to run too many appliances at once and overload your emergency power source. As a general rule, the total running (rated) and starting watts of all the appliances being used at one time should not exceed the power source's wattage.