Do you know how to select the right size generator for your home in Kansas City?

If a generator is too small, you won’t have enough power, but it’s also possible to overspend for more capacity than you need. Let’s check out some ways you can nail down the right home generator size.

What is the Best Type of Generator for Your Home?

Teague Electric can help you install both types of backup electrical generators: standby and portable. The former gives you more electrical output, which is essential for larger homes with heavy-duty appliances. The latter are more economical for smaller homes with simpler devices.

Sometimes, a portable generator can cover almost as much voltage as a standby model, but all portable models require manual setup. That means if there’s a storm, they won’t recognize an outage automatically. Portable generators rely on gasoline to operate, whereas standby generators use diesel, propane, or natural gas.

So, Which Size Do I Need?

The size of the generator will dictate most of the cost considerations. Plus, it corresponds to the level of voltage you require in your home. One of the best ways to estimate your generator requirements is to take an inventory of your household appliances. See this non-exhaustive list of items that consume significant wattage.

Running Wattage by Household Item

• Refrigerators/Freezers: 700 watts
• Computers: 500 to 2,000 watts (highly variable, based on size)
• Microwaves: 1,200 watts
• Electric Furnaces: 5,000 to 25,000 watts (very size dependent)
• Sump Pumps: 1,500 watts
• Water Heaters: 3,000 to 4,500 watts

Of course, as we look at device wattage, we have to factor in the running wattage with the starting wattage (which is about three times the running wattage). Once you’ve gotten an idea of the running wattage for appliances throughout your home, you can add the expected starting wattage to determine what you’ll need out of your generator.

The refrigerator that requires 700 running watts, multiplied by 3.5, comes out to 2,450 starting wattage. Add the running wattage (700) to the standing wattage (2,450) for 3,150 watts to generate enough electricity for your fridge. Do this for some of your other major appliances, and you’ll get a rough estimate of what size generator you need.

Why Bother with Standby or Portable Generators?

In a previous article, we discussed some reasons getting a standby generator is a good investment. These are some of the top reasons to consider installing a new one.

• The standby models can start and stop automatically without manual configuration. That’s great news if you’d rather avoid fumbling with fuel and switches in the dark after losing power.
• If your elderly relatives depend on life-sustaining medical equipment, you can’t afford to NOT have a backup power source.
• This is also a great way to keep your children comfortable rather than force them to endure an indefinite power outage.
• You won’t have to buy new food because you lost everything when your refrigerator or freezer lost power for several hours.

Select the Best Generator for Your Home with Teague Electric

Teague Electric is Kansas City’s best electrical company for installation or repair on generators, panel upgrades, security systems, home automation, and more. This is what you should expect when working with a skilled team of electricians. All of our work will help get your home’s electrical systems fully in line with the National Electric Code (NEC) and all the various safety guidelines.

So, whether you have an old home in need of lots of repairs, or want to add a backup power source to your modern, we’re at your service. You can verify our sterling reputation by checking our Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile, where we consistently maintain an A+ rating.

If you still aren’t sure how to select the right size generator for your home, contact us anytime, and we’ll help you find the right equipment.