A Complete Guide to Whole House Generator Sizing

A whole house generator is crucial for any home that wants to be prepared for power outages. However, it's important to pick the right size generator to ensure it can handle all your needs.

When it comes to whole house generators, size matters. You want to ensure that your generator can handle the power needs of your entire home. Otherwise, you'll be left in the dark during a power outage.

Whole house generator sizing can be tricky. There are a lot of factors to consider, such as the size of your home, the number of appliances you have, and your power usage. But don't worry, we're here to help.

Swaim Electric is your trusted source for sizing and generator installation in Greensboro. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of choosing the right generator size for your home.

Let's get started!

What Is a Whole House Generator?

A whole house generator is a backup power system that provides electricity to your home in the event of a power outage. These generators are typically powered by natural gas or propane, and they can provide enough electricity to power your whole home for days or even weeks.

Whole house generators are an excellent investment for any home. They give you peace of mind knowing you'll have energy during a power outage. Plus, they can even help you save money on your electric bill. Nothing is more comforting during a Greensboro, North Carolina storm than a generator at the ready. Want to learn how to approach whole house generator sizing? Keep reading for more information!

Top 4 Benefits of Investing in a Whole House Generator

There are many benefits to investing in a whole house generator. Here are just a few:

How to Size a Whole House Generator

There are a few factors to consider for whole house generator sizing. The most influential factor is the wattage rating of the generator. This is the maximum amount of power that the generator can produce.

You'll also want to consider the runtime of the generator. This is how long the generator can run at its maximum wattage rating. For example, a generator with a wattage rating of 7,000 watts and a runtime of 8 hours can provide 56,000 watt-hours of electricity.

Another critical factor to consider is the fuel type. There are three main types of fuel for whole house generators: natural gas, propane, and diesel.

Natural gas is the most common type of fuel for whole house generators. It's clean-burning and relatively inexpensive. Propane is another popular choice. It's a bit more expensive than natural gas, but it's easy to store and transport. Diesel is the third option. It's more expensive than natural gas and propane but has a longer runtime.

You'll need to calculate your home's power usage to choose the right generator size. Start by adding up the wattage ratings of all the appliances and devices you want to power during a power outage.

For example, let's say you want to power a fridge, a TV, four lights, and a laptop. The refrigerator requires 700 watts, the TV uses 150 watts, each light uses 60 watts, and the laptop needs 85 watts. That's a total of 1,045 watts—the minimum generator size.

Now, let's say you want to be able to run all of those appliances at the same time. In that case, you would need a generator with a wattage rating of 1,045 watts or more.

However, you probably won't need to run all of those appliances at the same time. For example, you might only need to power the fridge and the lights. In that case, you would need a generator with a wattage rating of 760 watts or more for power requirements.

To be safe, we recommend choosing a generator with a wattage rating that's at least 25% higher than your calculated power usage. So, in our example, we would need a generator with a wattage rating of 1,300 watts or more.

There are a few different factors to consider for whole house generator sizing. Here's what you need to know:

• The size of your home: This is the most important factor to consider when sizing a whole house generator. The larger your home, the more power you'll need to generate.
• The number of appliances you have: Another factor to consider is the number of appliances you have in your home. If you have a lot of appliances, you'll need a generator that can handle the additional power load.
• Your power usage: You'll also need to consider how much power you use when sizing a whole house generator. If you have high energy needs, you'll need a larger generator.
• The type of appliances you have: You'll need a more significant generator if you have energy-hungry appliances like a swimming pool or an air conditioner. You should also take into account whether you have electric appliances or natural gas appliances.
• The climate:  If you live in an area with extreme weather conditions, you'll need a generator that can handle the additional demand.

These are just a few elements to contemplate when choosing your home's specific backup power. To get an accurate size for your home, contact us for a precise estimate for a Generac whole-home generator.

Once you know the size of the generator you need, it's time to install it. Swaim Electric is your trusted source for generator installation in Greensboro. We have the experience and expertise to get the job done right.

Types of Generators

Now that you know about whole house generator sizing, it's time to choose a suitable model for your home.

There are two main types of whole house generators: a home standby generator and a portable generator.

Home standby generators are permanently installed outside of your home. They're typically powered by natural gas or propane, and they can provide enough electricity to power your whole house for days or even weeks. Standby generators are a good choice for homeowners who want peace of mind knowing they're prepared for a power outage.

Portable generators are smaller and can be moved around as needed. This generator power typically uses gasoline and can provide enough electricity to power a few appliances or devices at a time. Portable generators are a good choice for homeowners who want the flexibility to generate power as needed.

Why Choose Swaim Electric for Generator Installation in Greensboro?

There are many reasons to choose Swaim Electric for generator installation in Greensboro. We're a family-owned and operated business, and we've been serving the Triad area for over 40 years. We're dedicated to providing our customers with the highest quality products and services and are committed to your satisfaction.

When you choose Swaim Electric, you can rest assured that you're getting the best possible service. We'll work with you to find the right generator for your home and install it quickly and efficiently. We're also available for emergency repairs, so you can always count on us to be there when you need us.

Swaim Electric is ready for all kinds of generator installation in Greensboro. We proudly provide generator services in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Asheboro, and High Point. Whether you require sizing, installation, or maintenance, we've got your back!

The expert team at Swaim Electric is standing by to assist you in everything you need. Schedule an appointment today!