A backup generator can provide power in the event of an
outage for essential appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, sump and lift
pumps and a few lights. Estimating the size of the generator required means
adding up the total number of watts used by each appliance you intend to
provide power in the event of an outage. This information is available on the
appliance nameplates or in the documentation supplied with each appliance. The
more appliances you include, the more that can be powered, but the cost
increases as the size of the generator goes up.
1 Make a list of the appliances you wish to power during an
outage. Include refrigerators, freezers, furnace, and electric range, along
with well, sump, lift or ejector pumps. Include the number of watts each
appliance requires for starting and running. Consult the appliance
documentation or nameplate for this information, which is expressed as watts,
kilowatts or volt-amps. Calculate power requirements by multiplying amps by
voltage for appliances that do not list watts, kilowatts or volt-amps.
2 Determine starting power requirements for appliances with
motors that do not list the starting power needed, such as refrigerators, air
conditioners, washers and dryers. Contact the manufacturer of these appliances
or consult a chart that gives average requirements for these appliances.
3 Total the running power requirements for appliances which do
not have different starting and running loads, such as incandescent lights,
water heaters and toasters. Total the starting power requirements for other
appliances with motors, such as pumps and refrigerators. Add the two totals
together for the total power required.
4 Choose between 240-volt and 120-volt generators; 240-volt
generators will run electric stoves, electric baseboard heaters, electric
dryers, central air conditioning units and dishwashers. Select a model the
provides both the voltage and the total power requirements needed to run the
appliances you selected to have operational during a power outage.
source: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/size-generator-buy-house-2860.html
by Michael Logan
by Michael Logan
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