How Many Watts Will Your Generator Need to Produce?

Add up the wattage of tools, appliances and motors you want to run at the same time. Then select a generator with the RUNNING wattage rating to match or exceed the total load. Keep in mind that tools and appliances with electric motors require additional tool/appliance SURGE wattage at startup that can be double or triple the normal running wattage requirement. Look at the surge watts required and make sure you choose a generator with enough additional wattage to start them. Keep in mind that you typically are not starting more than half of the items at the same time.

Most home appliances and power tools are 120 Volts; larger appliances like electric stoves and clothes dryers may be 240 Volts. Generator power is measured in Watts: Power = Current x Voltage or Watts = Volts x Amps

You can use our Wattage Chart to estimate the wattage of the tools, appliances and motors you will be operating at the same time. Wattage noted below are approximates only; please refer to tool or appliance itself for specific wattage required or order our easy-to-use tester below.

Something to keep in mind when your trying to figure out your power needs is it is very easy to cut down on your power requirements. Use the microwave rather the the stove, replace your incandescent lights in your home with cooler compact florescent bulbs. There is a lot of heat generated by older incandescent bulbs and if your running air conditioning it has to cool all those lights down first. Imagine putting a space heater in your fridge and then expecting your fridge to keep cool. 10 light bulbs put out as much heat as a space heater not to mention all that wasted energy. Most people can power their home and survive off of our silent diesel generator while using less then 6500 Watts.