Power outages aren’t just inconvenient—they can put your home and family at risk.
Whether it’s from a storm, equipment failure, or rolling blackouts, losing electricity can mean spoiled food, extreme heat, and a whole lot of stress.
That’s where a whole-house generator comes in. Let’s break down the generating sizing step-by-step.
📋 Step 1: Decide What You Want to Power
Not every generator is built to power your entire house (especially during high-demand times). You’ve got two options:
🔌 Essential Loads Only
Think: lights, fridge, sump pump, and well. and heating.
🏡 Whole-House Backup
This includes everything—HVAC ❄️, water heater, washer/dryer 🧺, stove 🍳, etc.
📋 Step 2: List and Total Your Power Requirements
Generators are rated in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW). Make a list of all the things you want running during an outage and check their power needs.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
⚡ Reminder: Some appliances need extra power to start up—your generator has to handle those surge watts too!
➕ Step 3: Add a Safety Buffer
Once you’ve totaled up your running wattage, add a 20–25% buffer. This gives you room for:
🛠️ Extra appliances in the future
📈 Power spikes
📉 Efficiency losses
Example:
If your total load is 10,000 W → Add 25% →
10,000 W + 2,500 W = 12,500 W (or 12.5 kW)
Better safe than sorry!
🔍 Step 4: Choose the Right Generator Size
Here’s a rough guide for sizing:
- 10–14 kW: Powers essentials in a small home
- 15–22 kW: Covers most needs in a mid-sized home
- 22–30+ kW: Full backup for large homes or high-demand setups
👷 Step 5: Talk to a Pro
Even if you love a good DIY project, sizing and installing a generator is worth running by a licensed electrician. They can:
✅ Perform an accurate load calculation
✅ Recommend air-cooled vs. liquid-cooled units
✅ Help you pick the right transfer switch
✅ Make sure your install meets code and runs safely
Final Thoughts
Getting the right generator = peace of mind.
By thinking through your power needs, doing a bit of math, and working with a professional, you’ll be set up to keep your home safe, cool, and powered up when the grid goes dark.
Ready to get started?
Contact Current Electrical Contractors for your reliable electrician in Jacksonville, FL! We can help you size, select, and install the perfect generator for your home. Check out our generator estimate form here: https://currentelectrical-jax.com/estimate
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