... the power is out. Generator Size Calculator - Your Home Wattage Needs. Once the generator is running, go to your breaker, turn off the switch for the utility main, and turn on the switch for the generator main. The Generac Guardian Model 7171 is well-equipped for basic home use and is an air-cooled system. When it comes to shopping for a whole house generator, you want to ensure that you have plenty of power but also avoid overspending on a generator with more capacity than your home requires. The company produces everything from compact, light-duty inverter generators to robust portable generators and powerful, installed whole home versions with 12,000 or more watts of power. You’ll need to manually flip a few switches to safely take your home off the power grid and switch to the generator’s power source, but this is the only safe way to supply power from a generator to your home’s electrical circuit and hardwired appliances. Keep in mind that a transfer switch must be purchased separately. A fuel stabilizer is one method of ensuring that the gasoline in your generator remains ready for use. The company also produces some whole home generators, but the largest concentration of products is in the portable or inverter generator segment. Then, plug the generator into the hookup on your house. Home standby generators start at about $3,000, aside from the cost of installation, fuel tanks, and an installed transfer switch. A professionally-installed transfer switch will safely disconnect your home from the power grid and supply power from your generator to designated circuits on your home’s electrical grid. To determine what size generator you need to power your whole house: Figure out the starting wattage (i.e. An included 200 amp transfer switch offers increased capacity when compared to small home generators that often have 100 amp transfer switches included. The more watts your portable generator produces, the more items you can power at the same time. Our generators have earned a hard-won reputation for smooth, quiet operation, and outstanding fuel efficiency. This will support most systems you’re used to having available in your home, including heating and cooling functions. Whole home generators are the most powerful type of standby generators and typically start at about 22,000 watts of power. To know how many watts you’ll need in a generator, add up the wattage of the appliances or equipment you’re most likely to simultaneously operate. … Having a generator with an automatic start function may be especially valuable if you travel for long periods of time or have a second home. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. This generator can also keep you comfortable by operating HVAC system components, like your central air conditioner—though you’ll need to calculate the wattage of all the power demands you plan to run simultaneously to determine what the generator can handle. As power needs increase, the generator revs up the engine to supply the increased power. For the last several years, Erica Puisis has been covering home appliances and tools that make everyday life easier. Those are just a few selections … Typically more compact and rugged-looking than portable generators, inverter generators gained popularity for use in recreational activities like camping and tailgating. Steps. Champion: Champion focuses primarily on producing portable and inverter generators. It may, however, be able to keep your fridge operational while powering some fans and a few lights. We created this generator size calculator to help you consider your needs and to help you think about what you would like to power during an outage at your home. Use the chart and the following steps to help you determine how powerful your portable generator should be. A radiator and water pump work to circulate the coolant within the system, which may mean more maintenance over the life of your generator, but better cooling capability in return. Small homes with fewer appliances and less energy-intensive heating and cooling systems don’t have the same power demands and a smaller generator, like this model from Briggs & Stratton is a great option. Like many other home generators on the market today, it offers less than 5-percent harmonic disruption for less strain on your home appliances. for pricing and availability. Model #7228. Generator sizes refer to how much electrical power it can supply, measured in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW). 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