We don't realize how much we rely on electricity until it's gone. Without power, basements can flood, security systems can falter, and home businesses can fail.
For these reasons, a portable generator can ease our minds and be a real home-saver, acting as an emergency backup power system during an outage.
We're making peace-of-mind simple by helping you pick the right-size emergency generator for your home. Whether you need only a few lights or all your gadgets powered during a hurricane, this guide breaks it down for you.
The best way to size your generator is to use our free portable generator sizing calculator, which will calculate the power needs of all your appliances.
Below, we give you an idea of the different emergency generator size options out there. We don't include small generators because they aren't much use when it comes to backing up essential appliances during a power outage.
| Emergency Generators | Medium | Large | X-Large |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powers | Essential Appliances | Multiple Rooms | Homes |
| Connection | Extension Cords | Cords or Switches | Transfer Switches |
| Watts | 1,000 - 6,000 | 6,000 - 10,000 | 10,000 - 20,000 |
| cc | 168 - 429cc | 438 - 480cc | 530 - 992cc |
| Gas Tank Size | 3 - 8 Gal. | 5.7 - 9 Gal. | 8 - 16 Gal. |
| Starter | Recoil or Electric | Recoil or Electric | Electric |
Unlike smaller camping generators, which can only power a light or two, medium-sized emergency portable generators can power multiple survival appliances, such as your refrigerator, sump pump, and furnace fan.
Inverter generators, which produce clean power and are safe to use with electronics, fall under the medium power range. Although they cost more than standard, open frame generators, they are lighter, more compact, and quieter.
Most homeowners simply run the generator outside and string extension cords through an open door or window to the inside appliances.Since medium emergency generators produce limited electricity, you’ll need to manage how many appliances are connected to the generator so it doesn’t overload. For example, run the refrigerator for an hour. Then run the well pump. Then run the deep freezer.
Although you can still run extension cords from the generator, you won't be able to tap its full potential. Instead, large generators work best with manual transfer switches that can restore power in up to 10 circuits in your main electrical panel. In other words, they can energize multiple rooms in your home (minus a central air conditioner).
Extra-large models can power all of your essentials, plus more, simultaneously. They also can have much higher surge wattages, which means they're capable of starting many high-powered motorized appliances.
Extra-large portable generators can run your central air conditioner if sized properly. Check the label on your air conditioner, which will tell you either the TONS or BTUs of your system.Once you have any of these pieces of information, you can cross reference them with the table below to find the right-sized extra-large generator. For example, if you have a 4-ton (or 48,000 BTU) air conditioner, you'll need at least a 16-kilowatt generator.
While an electric start is standard on most extra-large models, they are not automatic. You still have to manually start the unit. That's why, for long-term outages, you will want a more permanent solution, such as a home standby or whole house generator.
With an emergency generator, you'll be ready for the next power outage. While your neighbors sit in the dark, you'll be doing just fine.
For more help choosing the perfect emergency generator for your home, please contact us at 800-800-3317.