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What Size Generator Do I Need For My House? - FAQs with a Professional Electrician

Every home is different and runs on different setups like gas or electric. Even different cities have different needs or regulations that a home must acquire. However, there are some similarities between the requirements based on each home for a whole house generator. We’re going to break down the similarities and differences for you below. This will be based on our Frequently Asked Questions to ensure we’re addressing all your needs. 

What size generator do I need for my house that has 1500-1800 square feet?

We asked the professionals and the main pivoting point for all generators is what kind of gas does the home run? Is it an electric-only appliance home? Does the home have a blend of both electric and gas appliances? According to them, everything depends on these answers. 

 For instance, a home run primarily on electric power will need more kilowatts from a generator compared to a home run exclusively on gas. Even if the home is small, it could need more kilowatts than a larger home run on gas. 

What size generator do I need for my house that has 2000-3000 square feet?

Let’s talk about a bigger home! Instead of a 1500 square foot home, what if the house is double in size? The same questions still arise. What kind of gas does the home run on? Is it an electric-only appliance home? Does the home have a blend of both electric and gas appliances? 

In general, the same rule stands for an example. If a home were 3000 square feet and ran entirely on natural gas, it would need less kilowatts than a smaller home run on electric. Here’s another example to run through. If a home is 1500 square feet but only runs on electric, it could need 38 kilowatts-48 kilowatts worth of power from a generator. Compared to a home twice its size, 3000 square feet, if it’s entirely run-on natural gas it could run on a generator that powers 20 kilowatts. 

What size generator do I need for a 3-bedroom house?

Same concept as above. What kind of gas does the home run on? Is it an electric only appliance home? Does the home have a blend of both electric and gas appliances? 

At the end of the day, our professionals want you to think through what essential items you need to stay comfortable, alive, and stable. Everyday essentials usually include internet, garage door, and lighting for the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. How about health needs? Do you need a specific machine to help you sleep, like a CPAP, or do you have medicine that needs to stay refrigerated? Even some baby formulas need to keep refrigerated at all times. The point is, if you have life-dependent equipment, start with those needs when considering a home generator. 

What size generator do I need for a house with central air?

How many Air-Conditioning units do you have? Do your heating and air system operate with a heat pump? How many heat pumps? As always, the same question arises as well, is the home run on gas, electric, or some of both? Not sure? Our team can get feet on the ground and learn what your home needs. 

What size generator do I need for a house with different appliances?

This question would fall under the same answers for homes of different sizes. If a home is smaller but has a blend of gas, electric, or both/blended, then we know it will likely use more kilowatts. Compared to a larger home that uses only electric will typically need less kilowatts to run its needs. 

Still, this boils down to what decisions you choose to say are essential for the house. Less essential items to run (based on how long the power goes out) could be your washer and dryer, the dishwasher, etc. Suppose everyone in the home can live comfortably without some of these. In that case, you could get by with different kilowatt usage. The choice is yours and what is essential for your family. Granted, this still depends on the answers to the above questions. 

Call Milestone To Answer Any Home Generator Questions You Have

Every home is built differently and we’re in homes every day. Our team is working hard in DFW and North Texas so that customers are taken care of and feel safe if anything unfortunate like a power outage happens. Curious if a whole-house generator is worth it? We’ve addressed these and many more questions on our other blog here. 

Want to ask more questions or get a technician to your home to give you definite answers? We always answer live! You can reach us at: (214) 247-2405 or (817) 247-2405.