What Home Generator Size is Best For My Family?

Every family home has different dynamics and needs - some of us have pets to care for, while others have children, and some of us have both. The health and safety of these family members are important, so when the power goes out, it’s essential that you have a generator system that can support every type of family member in your household.

While some families know their exact generator needs, others are unfamiliar with how to go about buying a generator, mainly because they aren’t sure what size is ideal for their family. For some, bigger isn’t always better. There are various sizes of portable generators and standby generators on the market, so when you’re shopping for a generator for your family, consider which size is best for your needs.

If you need help determining the perfect Generac generator size for your family, we have some helpful questions that can help you decide which style is suitable for your home.

Consider the Size of Your Home

As you begin, consider the overall size of your home. Do you live in a one or two-story house? Do you want to have as many floors of your home functional as possible or only the main level?

Depending on the size of your home, that will help you determine the ideal size for your generator. All generators have a certain wattage capacity, so depending on the sheer size and square footage of your home, that’s going be a great place to start shopping for generators. On average, a typical home is around 2,600 square feet, so a generator that can produce over 5,000 watts is ideal for that square footage size.

What Appliances Need to be Operated?

Once you have a grasp on the size of your home, and a starting point for your home’s wattage needs, consider what appliances need to be operated during a power outage. Can you forgo the TV for a few hours? Do you have essential appliances or medical equipment that need to remain fully functional?

Before you add additional appliances to your list, first factor in your central air unit, water heater, and other essential features that keep your house operational. Then you can delegate other appliances towards your backup generator.

Once you formulate a list of all your essential appliances, examine their starting and running wattage, which can usually be found on the outside of the appliance. From there, you can calculate the total number of watts you need to keep your home fully functioning, and start shopping for a whole house generator.

How Often Do You Experience Power Outages?

While it’s important to consider the size and capacity of your home standby generator, it’s also essential to be realistic about how often you lose power. If you’re hesitant to splurge on the initial installation costs of a generator, evaluate how often you’re in compromising situations due to loss of power. A generator powers more than just your essential devices - it keeps your home feeling like home, even when there are bad storms, snow, or summer hurricanes outside. No matter what is going on outside your door, everything can still feel like home, thanks to your whole home generator.

If you experience frequent power outages and go for a number of days without power, consider adding a 10-20% wattage increase to your generator model. That way, you can have plenty of power supplied to your home.

Consult Your Local HVAC Technician

If you are still unsure what size generator would best fit your needs, it’s best to consult with your local Generac generator technician and installer. They’ll be able to help you find the perfect Generac generator size for your home, so you’ll have plenty of power to support your home and loved ones.

If you need help finding the right size generator, and want assistance with your Generac installation contact the experts at Swaim Electric. We offer generator maintenance and installation service in Winston Salem, Climax, Greensboro, and other areas surrounding the Piedmont Triad. For a closer look at backup generators read our free guide on the Benefits of Generac Generators.