What size Generator for solar / Off Grid homes.
The size of the generator you need for your house will depend on its size and your specific power requirements. Here's a breakdown for small, medium, and large houses:
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Small House: For a small house with basic power needs, a generator in the range of 3,000 to 5,000 watts (or 3 to 5 kW) should suffice. This size can power essential items like lights, a refrigerator, a computer, and some smaller appliances.
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Medium House: A medium-sized house with moderate power needs generally requires a generator in the range of 7,000 to 12,000 watts (or 7 to 12 kW). This size can power essential items such as lights, refrigerators, sump pumps, computers, and various appliances simultaneously. If you have additional power demands, like running larger appliances or multiple air conditioners, you may need a generator with a higher capacity, typically in the range of 12,000 to 20,000 watts (or 12 to 20 kW).
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Large House: A large house with extensive power needs typically requires a generator with a capacity of 15,000 to 30,000 watts (or 15 to 30 kW). This size can power a wide range of appliances, systems, and devices simultaneously, including multiple air conditioners, large refrigerators, electric water heaters, well pumps, lighting, and other household appliances. If you have even higher power demands, such as high-powered equipment or multiple heating and cooling systems, you may need a generator with a capacity of 30,000 to 50,000 watts (or 30 to 50 kW) or more.
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Remember that these are general guidelines, and it's crucial to evaluate your specific power requirements and consult with a professional electrician or generator specialist to determine the ideal generator size for your house. They can help you accurately assess your needs and select the right size generator to ensure sufficient power during a blackout.
Appliance usage guide (Watts)
Appliance Size/type Watts
Air conditioner Large wall - 3500
Air conditioner small window - 2300
Air conditioner Ducted - 6000
Air conditioner Portable - 1500
Aquarium pump – 8
Bathroom light/heater unit - 4 x 275W lamps - 1100
BBQ Electric – 2400
Blender - 600
Bread maker - 500
Burglar alarm – 4
Clock Radio – 2
Clothes Dryer - 4000
Coffee machine – 600
Computer & monitor – 100
Digital Set Top Box – 15
Dishwasher - 2400
DVD – 50
Electric blanket – 120
Electric Cooktop Small hotplate - 1200
Electric Cooktop Large hotplate - 2200
Electric Drill – 700
Electric Frypan – 1700
Electric Oven – 2100
Electric Toothbrush - 1.5
Fan Ceiling – 90
Fan Pedestal – 50
Fax machine – 10
Freezer (new) 400 litre 72
Freezer (new) 200 litre 56
Grill – 2000
Hairdryer – 1500
Heated towel rack – 100
Heater Large fan/radiator - 2400
Heater Small oil column - 1200
Heater Medium fan/radiator - 1200
Heater Large oil column - 2400
Iron (small) - 1000
Juicer – 300
Kettle – 2400
Lawnmower – 1200
Lights Incandescent Bulb (75W) – 75
Lights Halogen Bulb (52W) - 52
Lights Compact fluorescent (15W) - 15
Lights Tubular fluorescent (45W) – 45
Lights LED Downlight (11W) – 11
Lights Halogen Downlight (50W) - 62.5
Lights Outdoor security light (150W) - 150
Microwave oven – 1000
Mobile phone charger – 5
Modem – 5
Pool heater Heat pump - 5000
Spa – 6000
Solar – 550
Pool pump – 1100
Waterbed – 400
Underfloor heating - living – 3600
Refrigerator (20 years old) – 400 litre - 148
Refrigerator (new) 650 litre - 93
Refrigerator (new) 500 litre - 72
Refrigerator (new) 400 litre - 68
Refrigerator (new) 250 litre - 35
Refrigerator (new) 150 litre bar fridge - 38
Underfloor heating - bathroom - 900
Underfloor heating - kitchen - 1200
Underfloor heating - bedroom - 1200
Rangehood – 140
Wok Electric – 2000
Saltwater chlorinator – 300
Washing machine (warm wash cycle) - 900
Rice cooker – 700
Vacuum cleaner – 1200
Printer – 100
Scanner – 80
Sewing machine – 120
Shaver – 15
Stereo System – 20
Television Standard CRT (50cm) – 75
Television Small flat screen (50cm) - 3 stars - 55
Television Small flat screen (50cm) - 6 stars - 30
Television Medium flat screen (80cm) - 3 stars - 130
Television Medium flat screen (80cm) - 6 stars - 50
Television Large flat screen (120cm) - 3 stars - 210
Television Large flat screen (120cm) - 6 stars - 100
Telephone (cordless) – 5
Toaster – 1000
Video recorder – 50
Video game (Wii) – 60
Whipper snipper – 350
Welder – 2400
Scanner – 80
Saw (Portable) – 1000
These are average electric appliances usage in Watts.