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Selecting the Size of Standby Generator Needed
Home » Home Security » Generators » Selecting the Size of Standby Generator NeededIn determining the size of standby generator you need for your home, you must determine your power needs. All homes and life styles are different and each will have different power needs. You can purchase basic standby units that power only certain appliances in your home to systems that will power your entire house. Choosing the right size unit is important because you don’t want to overwork the system by having less wattage than you need or waste fuel by running a system that is larger than needed.
It is best to consult a standby generator salesperson from a reputable company such as, Cummins/Onan, Kohler, or Generac. They can analyze your home needs and determine the size of system right for you.
The following are typical sizes of standby systems for a home and the needs they can meet. Onan supplied this information and these are for estimates only.
• 8.5 kW – An 8.5 system can power the following electrical needs:
o Furnace Fan
o Refrigerator
o Freezer
o Sump Pump
o Lighting
o Well Pump
o Television
o Radio
o Computer
• 12kW – A 12kW system can power all of the above plus the following:
o Ventilation Fan
o Garage Door Opener
• 15KW – A 15kW system can power all of the needs of a 12kW unit plus the following:
o Electric Range
o Water Heater
o Security System
o Central Air System
o Washing Machine
• 20kW – A 20kW system can power all of the needs of a 15kW plus the following:
o Clothes Dryer
o Dishwasher
o Vacuum Cleaner
• 42kW – A 42kW system can power all of the needs of a 20kW plus the following:
o Toaster Oven
o Humidifier
o Microwave Oven
o Extensive Power Requirements
Related Generators Articles
- Home Generators Overview
- Types of Home Generators
- How a Standby Generator Works
- Selecting the Size of Standby Generator Needed