How To Size A Standby Generator?
Generators can help power your home during blackouts or if you live in an area that does not have available power supply. This machine has different types that available on the market, each having their own wattage and requirements. One of the most common ones is whole-house generators. Many homeowners often ask how to size a standby generator. Read on to know the answer to this query.
What Are Whole-Home Generators?
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Whole-house generators are also called backup generators, on-demand generators, or standby generators. This generator is a backup power source for your home in case of power outages caused by either natural disasters or man-made mistakes. These generators can be used for prolonged outages. They can power all the devices, appliances, and more in your home, including the furnace or air conditioner!
They are often called emergency generators as well. These units are somewhat bulky and are installed on your property. However, they also add a lot of value to your home. They give you peace of mind as they are highly dependable machines. The best part is these machines don’t need human intervention as they operate automatically. They will turn on when outages and interruptions happen. You don’t need to switch them off, too, because it will automatically do so as well.
Whole-house generators can also keep your refrigerator running to prevent food from spoiling. It also supports your security system so you can be sure of non-stop security at home. This feature is handy during disasters. These generators can power your entire home, much like when there isn’t any power outage.
One important aspect is to make sure that you have the correct standby generator size before purchasing and installing one in your home. The whole-house generator must have sufficient power to allow all your appliances to run without issue, especially the power-hungry ones.
What Is Standby Generator Size?
Understanding how much power is needed to run your home is required before purchasing a generator. The generator size is based on the electrical output and not the generator’s physical dimension. However, you still need to know the latter so you can set aside the space where you’ll put it in your home.
The measurement of electrical output is in watts or kilowatts (kW). Remember that a kilowatt equals 1,000 watts when figuring the size you need.
Many homeowners make mistakes when trying to determine what whole-home generator size they need. Often, they underestimate the wattage they need, so they end up buying an undersized generator for their home needs. When this happens, the generator becomes overloaded and is pushed to supply more power than its capacity. Your generator will then overheat and automatically switch off. Even worse, the generator might get damaged. On the other hand, a generator that’s too large will result in you paying more for it to operate. Therefore, you must consult a professional to help you find the right standby generator size before its installation.
How To Size A Standby Generator
Figuring out the size is quite a simple process. Prepare a calculator before you begin. Next, determine which devices need powering throughout your home. Check the manual for the big appliances you have to determine the running wattage they need. This will then be multiplied by three. Take note of the starting wattage as well. Total all the devices, and you will get the wattage you need for the generator.
You need to first understand what these wattages mean before going further. The starting wattage is the initial high load required to start electrical devices from a dead stop. Keep in mind that several appliances might need very high starting loads, such as motors and compressors. The running load refers to the wattage needed to keep the appliance running after the initial start.
Therefore, the generator sizing formula goes like this: (Starting wattage x three) + running wattage.
For instance, the starting wattage of a refrigerator might be 700 watts. Multiply this by three so you get the load on the generator (2100 watts). When it is turned on, its running load is 300 watts. Therefore, the total load of this refrigerator on your generator is 2400 watts. Your generator must meet this value to operate a refrigerator.
You will need to do this for all electrical appliances and devices to determine the total wattage your generator requires. Bear in mind that these are the minimum amount and that it is better to have some overhead to prevent your generator from overloading and shorting out.
Do I Need Professional Help For My Standby Generator Installation?
Conducting a do-it-yourself generator installation might have crossed your mind. However, this takes a lot of time, and it might not go as planned. A single miscalculation might result in your generator shorting out because it is overloaded. Therefore, it is recommended that you seek help from experts.
A professional will consider all electrical devices and appliances before the generator installation. They will also make sure that the wiring and installation are done correctly. Likewise, using their trained eye, they will verify that the installed generator operates as it should and can handle the load of all appliances in your home without any problems.
Whole-house generators also need maintenance, so hiring a professional is the ideal scenario. They will make sure that the generator is in perfect working condition.
Conclusion
Installing a whole-house generator is a good idea. However, it needs to be done properly. This way, all devices you want to power throughout your home are accounted for when calculating the wattage. Confirm that your calculation is correct, or you might end up burning out your newly-installed generator. For a stress-free installation, hire a professional generator installation company to do it for you. This way, you don’t need to worry about complicated calculations and whether your generator will work or not.
Call McAllister Energy For Standby Generator Requirements
McAllister Energy offers high-quality whole-house generator services in Camden County, New Jersey. Our team is made up of professionally certified technicians who conduct superior standby generator services, including backup generator repairs, installations, and maintenance. All our techs provide accurate whole-house generator services on time, every time.
Our company guarantees affordable on-demand generator service rates. By working with us, you can expect reliable services, friendly personnel, and honest, transparent rates. Your satisfaction is important to us, so all our work comes with a guarantee. Book a service appointment with McAllister Energy today. We provide free, in-home estimates.
You can click here to contact us now or call us at (856) 665-4545 to find out more!