The more watts your portable generator produces, the more items you can power at the same time. The wattage reference chart below contains examples of what you can power with a portable generator. Use the chart and the following steps to help you determine how powerful your portable generator should be.
How to Estimate Your Power Needs
- Select items from the chart that you would like to power at the same time. Fill in the RUNNING WATTS and ADDITIONAL STARTING WATTS requirements in the "Your Power Needs" Section.
- Total the RUNNING WATTS of the items you wish to power at one time. Enter this number in the TOTAL RUNNING WATTS box.
- Identify the ONE INDIVIDUAL ITEM on your list with the highest number of additional starting watts. Enter this item's additional starting watts. Add it to the RUNNING WATTS of the other items listed, and enter that number in the TOTAL STARTING WATTS box.
Appliance Wattage Chart
WORK
DIY / Jobsite
| Tool or Appliance | Running Watts | Starting Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Quartz Halogen Work Light | 100 | 0 |
| Airless Sprayer – 1/3 HP | 600 | 1200 |
| Reciprocating Saw | 960 | 0 |
| Electric Drill – 3/8 in., 4 Amps | 440 | 600 |
| Electric Drill – 1/2 in., 5.4 Amps | 600 | 900 |
| Circular Saw – 7 1/4 in. | 1400 | 2300 |
| Belt Sander | 1200 | 2400 |
| Air Compressor – 1/4 HP | 975 | 1600 |
| Air Compressor – 1 HP | 1600 | 4500 |
Office Equipment
| Tool or Appliance | Running Watts | Starting Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Computer w/17 in. Monitor | 800 | 0 |
| Fax Machine | 65 | 0 |
| Laser Printer | 950 | 0 |
| Copy Machine | 1600 | 0 |
PLAY / Tailgating / Camping
| Tool or Appliance | Running Watts | Starting Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Grill | 1650 | 0 |
| AM/FM Radio | 100 | 0 |
| CD/DVD Player | 100 | 0 |
| Box Fan | 200 | 0 |
HOME
Essentials
| Tool or Appliance | Running Watts | Starting Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Light Bulb – 60 Watt | 60 | 0 |
| Light Bulb – 75 Watt | 75 | 0 |
| Deep Freezer | 500 | 1500 |
| Sump Pump 1/3 HP | 800 | 1300 |
| Well Pump 1/2 HP | 1000 | 2100 |
| Electric Water Heater | 4000 | 0 |
Heating / Cooling
| Tool or Appliance | Running Watts | Starting Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Space Heater | 1800 | 0 |
| Humidifier - 13 Gal | 175 | 0 |
| Furnace Fan Blower - 1/2 HP | 800 | 2350 |
| Furnace Fan Blower - 1/3 HP | 700 | 1400 |
| Window AC – 10,000 BTU | 1200 | 3600 |
| Window AC – 12,000 BTU | 3250 | 9750 |
| Central AC - 10,000 BTU | 1500 | 4500 |
| Central AC - 24,000 BTU | 3800 | 11400 |
| Heat Pump | 4700 | 4500 |
Laundry Room
| Tool or Appliance | Running Watts | Starting Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Iron | 1200 | 0 |
| Washing Machine | 1150 | 2250 |
| Clothes Dryer - Electric | 5400 | 6750 |
| Clothes Dryer – Gas | 700 | 1800 |
Kitchen
| Tool or Appliance | Running Watts | Starting Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator/Freezer | 700 | 2200 |
| Microwave Oven - 625 Watts | 625 | 0 |
| Microwave Oven - 1000 Watts | 1000 | 0 |
| Coffee Maker | 1000 | 0 |
| Electric Stove - 8 in. Element | 2100 | 0 |
| Dishwasher - Hot Dry | 1500 | 1500 |
| Food Processor | 400 | 0 |
| Toaster Oven | 1200 | 0 |
| Toaster | 850 | 0 |
| Electric Can Opener | 168 | 0 |
Family Room
| Tool or Appliance | Running Watts | Starting Watts |
|---|---|---|
| VCR | 100 | 0 |
| Stereo Receiver | 450 | 0 |
| Color TV - 27 in. | 500 | 0 |
| Video Game System | 40 | 0 |
Other
| Tool or Appliance | Running Watts | Starting Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Security System | 500 | 0 |
| 1/2 HP Garage Door Opener | 875 | 2350 |
| Hair Dryer - 1250 Watts | 1250 | 0 |
| Curling Iron | 1500 | 0 |
Example Calculation
| Tool or Appliance | Running Watts | Starting Watts |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Refrigerator/Freezer | 700 | 2200 |
| 2. Furnace Fan Blower - 1/2 HP | 800 | 2350 |
| 3. Deep Freezer | 500 | 1500 |
| 4. Color TV – 27 in. | 500 | 0 |
| 5. Light Bulb – 75 Watt (x6) | 450 | 0 |
With this example you need a generator that produces at least 2950 total running watts and 4500 total starting watts.
| TOTAL Running Watts | 2950 |
| Highest Additional Starting Watts + | 1550 |
| TOTAL Starting Watts | 4500 |
Your Power Needs
| Tool or Appliance | Running Watts | Starting Watts |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | ||
| 2. | ||
| 3. | ||
| 4. | ||
| 5. | ||
| 6. | ||
| 7. | ||
| 8. | ||
| 9. | ||
| 10. |
| TOTAL Running Watts | |
| Highest Additional Starting Watts + | |
| TOTAL Starting Watts |
