What size generator do I need for my 2000 sq ft house?

joshualittle1224

"Hello everyone!

I'm currently in the process of choosing a generator for my 2000 sq ft house, and I could really use some expert advice. Considering the size of my house, what would be the recommended generator capacity to ensure a reliable power backup during outages?

 I want to be able to run essential appliances like the refrigerator, HVAC system, refrigerator, microwave and some lights.

Any insights or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you in advance!"

CSI_Yorkshire

Square footage means nothing.

What is the load?

MattMattMattUK

joshualittle1224 said:

"Hello everyone!

I'm currently in the process of choosing a generator for my 2000 sq ft house, and I could really use some expert advice. Considering the size of my house, what would be the recommended generator capacity to ensure a reliable power backup during outages?

 I want to be able to run essential appliances like the refrigerator, HVAC system, refrigerator, microwave and some lights.

Any insights or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you in advance!"

Generators are very difficult to integrate into domestic supplies, especially with islanding and auto start. You would be far better getting something like a Powerwall and using it's backup/islanding feature in the event of an outage, you would not even notice it happening.

The square footage is also irrelevant, you need to work out your peak and average usage and size according to that.

Why are you worried about outages? Do you live in an area where they are frequent? For most people the fact that they might experience an occasional short outage once every couple of years means that it is not worth investing in something specifically to avoid the minor inconvenience. 

Qyburn

First step is probably to see if you can measure your critical loads, both their startup power and running power. For example our freezer draws 70W running, but startup power is over 1200W.

Then it's a bit of guesswork as to how many are likely to start at the same time. Your generator needs to be able to handle those peak loads as well as running load.

Just as a couple of examples our neighbour has a 6.5kVA, and a colleague has 4.5kVA.  Both have manual change over switches, not automatic failover.

markin

Are you in the UK?

You really only need one that can run the fridge, and run the gas/oil boiler.

FreeBear

markin said:

Are you in the UK?

You really only need one that can run the fridge, and run the gas/oil boiler.

And don't forget it needs regular testing, and fuel levels checked, With petrol generators, you also need to be selective about the grade used. E10 petrol does not store well, and gums up the carb if left to stand for any length of time.

doodling

Hi,

FreeBear said:

markin said:

Are you in the UK?

You really only need one that can run the fridge, and run the gas/oil boiler.

And don't forget it needs regular testing, and fuel levels checked, With petrol generators, you also need to be selective about the grade used. E10 petrol does not store well, and gums up the carb if left to stand for any length of time.

Unless you are somewhere where there are many power cuts or you need a huge generator then the best choice of fuel for standby generation is generally LPG (specifically propane) as it doesnt go off like diesel or petrol.  The only downside is that it comes in heavy steel containers which you might find inconvenient to handle.  It is (in volume - i.e. 47kg containers) cheaper then petrol as well.

QrizB

markin said:

Are you in the UK?

I was wondering that too.

There's something about the OPs use of language that makes me think they are American.

joshualittle1224 said:

I'm currently in the process of choosing a generator for my 2000 sq ft house, and I could really use some expert advice. Considering the size of my house, what would be the recommended generator capacity to ensure a reliable power backup during outages?

 I want to be able to run essential appliances like the refrigerator, HVAC system, refrigerator, microwave and some lights.

In the UK you need to be a real masochist to try and heat 200 square metres of house with electricity (heat pump owners are mostly excluded from that statement). You are much more likely to have mains gas, oil or LPG for heat. If this is the case, you're unlikely to need more than a 3000VA generator, even if you have two refrigerators

Get your electrician to fit a transfer switch. Service and run the generator for an hour or two each September so you have some confidence that it will work in the depths of winter when you're most likely to need it.

doodling said:

Hi,

FreeBear said:

And don't forget it needs regular testing, and fuel levels checked, With petrol generators, you also need to be selective about the grade used. E10 petrol does not store well, and gums up the carb if left to stand for any length of time

Unless you are somewhere where there are many power cuts or you need a huge generator then the best choice of fuel for standby generation is generally LPG (specifically propane) as it doesnt go off like diesel or petrol.  The only downside is that it comes in heavy steel containers which you might find inconvenient to handle.  It is (in volume - i.e. 47kg containers) cheaper then petrol as well.

I'd say it's six of one and half a dozen of the other.

LPG generators are more expensive to buy and as you note, LPG is also expensive unless you buy the largest size of cylinder. Of course if your heating is LPG you could have it connected to the same system.

Diesel generators are less common in small sizes and also expensive to buy. The fuel keeps well and you can run a diesel generator on heating oil if necessary.

Four stroke petrol generators have the problem of the fuel going off but if you have a petrol car or lawnmower it's relatively easy to keep the fuel cycled. You're limited by law to storing relatively small quantities of petrol at home which means you need to hope for short power cuts (or go out to buy duel regularly during one).

Two stroke petrol generators are cheap but the fuel has an even shorter shelf life.

Another option is to buy an electric car with V2L capability. You've then got a 50kWh portable battery on your driveway that you can use to power your house.

rodmaker

markin said:

Are you in the UK?

You really only need one that can run the fridge, and run the gas/oil boiler.

I would add the modem and a TV to that.

joshualittle1224

markin said:

Are you in the UK?

You really only need one that can run the fridge, and run the gas/oil boiler.

Hey Mark thanks for your kind response, I just the one that run some of my basic appliances like refrigerator,  Microwave, AC unit, Some low power hungry power tools, etc.

Reed_Richards

rodmaker said:

markin said:

Are you in the UK?

You really only need one that can run the fridge, and run the gas/oil boiler.

I would add the modem and a TV to that.

And the lights, which should consume minimal power if they are LEDs (and you don't switch them all on at once).