Greengear Releases Guide on Home Generators for Outages

Power outages can strike unexpectedly, leaving households vulnerable to food spoilage, disrupted work, and even basic lighting challenges. A comprehensive gas generator selection guide now provides consumers with detailed specifications to match their exact power requirements and eliminate electricity anxiety.

When selecting a generator, power output stands as the most critical consideration. Higher wattage units can simultaneously operate more appliances. The guide includes exhaustive listings of both running and starting wattages for common household devices and tools, enabling accurate power assessments.

• 60W light bulb: 60W running, 0W starting
• 70W light bulb: 70W running, 0W starting
• Sump pump (1/3 HP): 1140W running, 2850W starting
• Well pump (1/3 HP): 575W running, 1440W starting

• Refrigerator/freezer: 700W running, 220W starting
• 625W microwave: 625W running, 0W starting
• 1000W microwave: 1000W running, 0W starting
• Coffee maker: 1000W running, 0W starting
• 8-inch electric burner: 2100W running, 0W starting

• Space heater: 1800W running, 0W starting
• Window AC (10,000 BTU): 1200W running, 3600W starting
• Central AC (24,000 BTU): 3800W running, 11400W starting
• Heat pump: 4700W running, 4500W starting

• 7-1/4" circular saw: 2100W running, 5250W starting
• Air compressor (1 HP): 1600W running, 4500W starting
• Belt sander: 1200W running, 2400W starting

To determine generator requirements:

1. Sum the running watts of all devices operating simultaneously
2. Identify the single highest starting wattage among these devices
3. Add the highest starting wattage to the total running watts

The generator's rated running and starting capacities must exceed both calculated values.

A household running a refrigerator (700W running, 220W starting), television (500W running), furnace fan (800W running, 2350W starting), and six 75W bulbs (450W total running) would require:

• Total running watts: 2450W
• Highest starting watts: 2350W (furnace fan)
• Total starting requirement: 4800W (2450 + 2350)

This scenario would necessitate a generator with minimum 2450W running and 4800W starting capacity.

When specifications aren't available, use the formula: Voltage (V) × Current (A) = Power (W or kW).

A standard two-bedroom home operating essential appliances typically needs 5000-7000W capacity.

Running watts maintain continuous operation, while starting watts represent the brief power surge during device activation.

Since appliances rarely start simultaneously, only the largest starting load needs inclusion in calculations.