Generator Power Levels

What kind of power level do I need for my generator?

Unless you're Tim The Tool Man Taylor "grunt...more power", you want to match your generator to your power needs. Your needs will depend on how you plan to use your generator. For camping, tailgating, and boating: we recommend 1000-2000 watts. With RV’ing, your power needs will vary greatly, depending on the size of the A/C unit. For the average home, 3000-6500 watts is typically about right. However, an electric furnace, a well pump, or an electric water heater will substantially increase your power needs. Be sure to consider carefully and determine how many watts each appliance needs.

This should give you an idea of where to start. For more information about specific generator models, please check with the manufacturer of your generator. Honda has a very helpful page here: http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/products/generators/content.aspx?asset=gg_howmuchpower. Be sure to check out their wattage estimation guides.

Why are there two different power levels listed on the specs for my generator?

When buying a generator, you will find two different powers listed: maximum power and rated power. You'll notice that rated power is often about 90% of the maximum power. Maximum power is the maximum power output that the generator can produce for a short time – about half an hour. The rated power is what you can expect when running the generator for longer periods of time.

So which number should you use to determine the right generator for you? The rated power is the one you want to match up to your power needs. And remember to err on the high side, you never know when you will need extra power! You may also want to consider running two generators in parallel. It’s a great way to get your power needs met and ensure that if something goes wrong with one generator, you still have at least some power.