What size generator do I need?

20 Dec 2018

Whether it’s for work, play or in case of an emergency, having a generator on-hand gives you the power to keep your tools, appliances and devices running in just about any environment. With a number of different types that all produce different levels of power, it can be a little confusing to figure out which generator is best suited to your lifestyle. Here’s a few things to look out for if you’re thinking about getting one.

Consider what you’re running

This can be as easy as making a list of all the appliances or devices you want to run, but depending on the sensitivity of certain electronics and where you want to use your generator, some types lend themselves better to particular applications.

For example, if you want to charge your phone or laptop then an inverter generator is better at handling sensitive electronics, but a larger industrial generator may be a better solution to power larger equipment, appliances or parts of your home.

Figure out how much power you need

Probably the most important aspect when you’re doing your research, figuring out how many kilowatts (kW) you need from a generator will help identify the size you’re after and the equation is simple. Simply find out which appliance has the highest starting wattage and add it with the total running wattage for all the other appliances you want to run.

The largest starting wattage is necessary because it’s recommended to plug things in one at a time, and a handy online calculator that lets you enter the wattage of your own devices can be found here.

Consider where it will be used most

Chances are that you only want to invest in one generator that can serve a number of purposes, so it’s worth looking into the different types on the market before making a purchase.

As previously mentioned, inverter generators are great for powering sensitive electronics and they’re quieter than industrial generators which makes them great for camping and applications where you want to be able to hear others.

Standard or industrial generators are louder, but they’re versatile and with the right size you can serve just about every purpose from home appliances to P/A systems.

LPG backup generators are installed to your home similar to the way a heat pump is, meaning that they’re just on the side of the house and they can’t be moved. They do a great job at keeping the lights on in emergencies and power cuts, otherwise they don’t have the same portability of inverter and industrial generators.

Specialists in all types of generators, our staff are able to help you find one that will serve you best, so if you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact us.