When buying a generator, a common question is "what size generator do I need?" This guide helps that question so you know what to get.

According to electric company statistics, the United States experiences 147 large-scale power outages every year. In most cases, these are weather-related incidents. Experts say this will get worse as climate change continues to impact our world.

Some power companies are spending billions trying to insulate and protect their systems from superstorms and other natural disasters. Yet others are reluctant to spend the money because of the expense and the community backlash.

That's why more people are investing in a generator for home use. If you're considering doing the same, you're probably wondering what size generator do I need?

Well, that depends on a few factors. Let's take a look at some important questions to answer before buying a power generator.

What Size Generator Do I Need?

How to choose a generator will depend on what you plan on or need to be powered. In the electrical world, everything is measured in watts. Your larger appliances like refrigerators, freezers, and ovens take a lot of watts to run. Light bulbs, fans, and radios take next to nothing to run.

Heating and air conditioning systems generally draw the most power, especially large, commercial-grade equipment. You can go around your house and find the wattage of every appliance, usually on the factory label. Or you can download a wattage guide online.

1. Add Up Appliance Wattage

Like everything in the electrical world, generators are measured in wattage. Usually, you'll find two wattage numbers listed for every generator. These are running watts and startup watts.

Your appliances draw more electricity, or watts when starting up than when they continue running. You'll need to know both these numbers for each appliance or you might find yourself overloading your generator.

A good tip is to go room to room through your house and list all your appliances. Don't forget to include temporary appliances like vacuum cleaners, blenders, coffee makers, etc.

2. Prioritize Your Electricity

Now that you've made your list you need to determine which appliances you can't live without. Heat should be a priority if you live in a cold climate. A blizzard can knock out power for days at a time and if you don't have heat you and your family could be in danger.

The same holds for air conditioning. If you experience warm summers with extreme heat and a thunderstorm or hurricane knocks out power for a week, how will you stay cool?

Next up would be your freezer and refrigerator. Everyone needs to eat and you don't want your food to spoil before you can eat it. After this, you'll need your oven or some other way of cooking your food. You might even need this to boil water should a disaster impact potable water sources.

3. Choose a Generator

After prioritizing your electricity you should come up with two numbers. The first is the minimum wattage you need. The second is the maximum number to run everything as though the electricity was still coming through the power company's line.

The more power a generator produces the more it costs so start with your maximum when pricing out generators. If you can afford a new generator to power everything you can call a competent supplier and get one installed.

If you find the generator needed to power everything is too expensive you should work backward until you find a generator in your price range. Fortunately, at Vance Electric, we have a large selection of Generac generators to power any size home. We also offer competitive pricing to get you the most power for your money.

4. Choose How to Power Your Generator

You've decided on a generator, now you need to power it. The most popular fuel source for powering home generators is propane. You might even have a tank on your property already.

Propane is relatively inexpensive and you can store enough for days or even weeks of generator operations. Gasoline is another option. This will require planning to ensure you have the gas before the power goes out. Both fuels are combustible so storing gas in your garage is a concern you won't have with a propane tank outside the home.

How Do I Keep From Overloading My Generator?

Who Needs a Standby Generator

Just because you don't have the wattage to run everything at once doesn't mean you can't run everything, you just have to shut some things down while others are running. Yes, that means when you do laundry you'll have to refrain from cooking, or you might even need to shut off the heat or air conditioner.

Transfer Switch

At Vance Electric our factory-trained technicians will install your generator and use what is called a transfer switch. This transfer switch simply diverts the power from the power company to your generator to power your house. One of the benefits of a transfer switch is we can select where your power goes.

We can install a smaller fuse box that routes the power to only those appliances, rooms, etc. that you want to run off your generator's power. In this way we can control the total wattage you can draw at one time.

Manual Oversight

The other way to keep from overloading your generator is to shut all the circuit breakers off and then only turn on those that you need when you need them. This takes some management so be sure to shut off these breakers when you are done using the circuit.

The preferred method is to use a transfer switch as this creates a finite amount of electricity your system can draw.

Because of this we can set this number to always remain below what your generator can handle. Manually overseeing the process leaves room for human error and that can lead to overloading your generator.

Ready to Buy a Generator?

If you've done your homework and are ready to purchase a power generator for your home then you should contact us today. Even if you're still asking yourself what size generator do I need, we can help.

Vance Electric services the northern Virginia region from our Springfield office. One of our friendly, knowledgeable staff will be happy to help you. We'll answer any questions you might have and walk you through the benefits of our Generac generator line and choose the right power generator for your home.

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How Generac Generators Keep Your Home Running

By Vance Electric • February 28, 2025

Is there anything as disruptive as a power outage? Whether there's an issue with the power grid or a powerful storm, a blackout can prevent you from enjoying the comfort of your home and adversely affect your work. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that about one in four American households experience a power outage annually. Acquiring a Generac generator is a necessity if you want to avoid the inconvenience caused by an outage. Standby generators automatically detect outages, ensuring you don't sit in the dark or have the food in your freezer go bad. Let's explore Generac generators and why you need one in your home. How Generac Generators Work Installing a Generac standby generator ensures your home has backup power whenever necessary. The main types of generators are standby and portable. Generac generators function in the following ways: Detecting Power Outages These generators can come with a transfer switch that automatically monitors the flow of electricity in your home. When there is a power outage, the generator kicks in, supplying power to your home. A home Generac generator doesn't need you to connect any cables or physically switch it on. It will automatically supply your house with electricity, ensuring your appliances keep running. Continuous Running and Automatic Shutdown As a new generator owner , you'll realize that Generac generators run continuously as long as the power outage lasts. The generators are specifically designed to handle long run times and provide power for an extended period. They automatically shut down when the grid comes back on and go back to standby mode, acting as a reliable energy solution for future outages. Benefits of a Generac Generator Owning a Generac generator offers more benefits than just a continuous power supply. These generators can start running when the lights go out in under 30 seconds. The automatic function means you don't have to be home to turn it on. So, you will not incur any losses as your business or home will continue running smoothly. A Generac generator also adds value to your property and can help you get a high resale price if you decide to sell. Having a Generac generator can also reduce your homeowners' insurance premiums . Here are a few tips to extend your generator's life and optimize its benefits: Make preventive repairs Regularly inspect the battery Exercise the generator Test and replace the fuel Features of Generac Generators The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that Americans experienced about five and a half hours of power interruptions in 2022. Unexpected power outages can result in heavy financial losses resulting from missed work and perishable goods going bad . These features of Generac generators enhance their reliability and efficiency: User-friendly control features All-weather features Fuel efficiency and durability Smart monitoring with some generators having features such as Wi-Fi Further, modern generators minimize sound output, reducing noise pollution in your house. Talking with one of the best Generac dealers in Springfield can help you understand the features of any unit prior to the purchase. Generac generators run on liquid propane or natural gas; you don't need to refuel them since they will connect directly to your house's fuel line. This feature also makes them less expensive to maintain than generators that run on gas. How Long Do Generac Generators Run As a business or homeowner, nothing comes close to the disruption of a power outage. Although weather conditions are the leading cause of outages, the power grid can go down for various reasons. Consequently, having a standby or home generator guarantees continuous, uninterrupted power. They don't run on gasoline, meaning you don't have to continually refuel them when the power grid is off for a prolonged period. The main factors that determine how long a Generac generator will last include: The generator model The load capacity Fuel type Natural gas generators, such as Generac generators, can last indefinitely. The continuous gas supply from your home's fuel line keeps the generator running as long as necessary. However, portable generators may not run continuously as standby models. One of the reasons to buy a Generac standby generator is that it can run 24/7 regardless of weather conditions. Maintenance Tips for Generac Generators Generator maintenance is necessary for smooth, continuous running when you need backup energy. One of the first maintenance tips you should follow is to get maintenance service from a reputable commercial dealer . But how can you know that a company has a good reputation? Some of the indicators of a great dealer are: Great online reviews from previous customers Level of experience Certifications and qualifications of individual vendors Referrals and level of customer service The maintenance needs of generators will vary depending on the type or model. A Generac vendor can help you understand the warning signs your generator needs maintenance. However, you shouldn't wait for visible signs to appear before getting your generators regularly serviced. Some of the signs your generator needs maintenance work include: Low power output Difficulty starting Fluid leakage Strange noise and faulty parts Age is another sign that your generator needs maintenance. Like other machines, generators experience wear and tear, so it's only normal that they'll need greater maintenance as they get older. Who Needs Generac Generators According to the Climate Central Organization, power outages are more common across the United States. The main reason behind this is the changing climate, which caused approximately 83% of all power outages from 2000 to 2021. Getting a Generac generator is a priority for any homeowner or businessman. You need to understand that there are different types of generators , such as: Backup generators Portable generators Standby generators Industrial generators Choose a generator that can meet your needs. Backup generators are ideal if you experience short-term blackouts, whereas standby generators are better suited if you need a continuous power supply . Keep Your Home Running With Generac Generators Today Generac generators are the best bet if you want an uninterrupted power supply for your home or business. A standby generator can run for weeks and even months if necessary. Vancelectric has experience dating back to 1998, and we've gained a reputation built on providing high-quality Generac generators . We also offer installation and maintenance services to keep your unit running smoothly. Check out our website today to see all our energy solutions.