Standby Generator Sizing Guide
Although the following generator sizing guide will give you some idea of
your backup generator, you should ALWAYS hire a professional to
calculate your electrical load and installation needs. There is no single sizing solution for all homes. The size and power
of the generator is determined by a variety of factors including the size of your home, the type of fuel preferred, and
the wattage requirements of your appliances. Do not forget to also take into consideration load growth, seasonal
changes, and different types of motors.
It is important to size a generator correctly. Too small of a generator for a large load can damage the generator and/or
the equipment or appliances that are connected to it. Too large of a generator will cost you more by using more fuel
and will be less efficient when loaded lightly. This will also typically have a larger installation bill.
CODES
Reference Codes:
NEC 225 Branch
Circuits and Feeders
NEC 240 Overcurrent
Generators must be installed according to codes set by the National
Protection
Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), as well as to state and local
NEC 250 Grounding
codes, to operate safely and efficiently. The installer should consult
NEC 445 Generators
local AHJ to check codes, permitting, and regulations.
NEC 700 Emergency
There is free access to the NFPA codes found in the links below:
Systems
NFPA 37 – “Standard for the Installation and Use of Stationary
NEC 701 Legally
Combustion Engines and Gas Turbines”
Required Standby
https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-
NEC 702 Optional
standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=37
Standby
NFPA 70 – “National Electrical Code”
NFPA 37 Installation
https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-
& Use of Stationary
standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=70
Engines
NFPA 110 – “Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems”
NFPA 54 National
https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-
Fuel Gas Code
standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=110
NFPA 58 LP Gas
Code
ICC Fuel Gas Code
Location
Location:
Location is often overlooked when installing a generator. The location can determine the generator size, transfer switch
location, fuel type, and fuel capacity. Generators should NEVER be located indoors. NFPA 37 section 4 specifies
generator clearances for outdoor installation, see figure to the right.
Placement Considerations:
- Air inlet obstruction
- Exhaust precautions
- Rising water levels
- Maintenance and servicing accessibility
- Water spraying, saturating, or swamping
- Underground or covered services
- Prevailing winds
- Fuel supply and pipe length
- Transfer switch proximity
- Level surface
PLACEMENT CONSIDERATIONS
• Air inlet obstruction • Maintenance and servicing accessibility • Fuel supply and pipe length
• Exhaust precautions • Water spraying, saturating, or swamping • Transfer switch proximity
• Rising water levels • Underground or covered services • Level Surface and/or Prevailing winds
Running Watts vs. Starting Watts
Running Watts: Power that the
generator can supply all the time. Also
called rated watts or continuous watts.
Starting Watts: Extra watts needed for two or three seconds to start motor-driven
products like a refrigerator or circular saw. This is the maximum wattage the
generator can produce. Starting watts are also called inrush current, surge watts or
peak watts.
• On the appliance nameplate, look for LRA (Locked Rotor Amps). This is
the current you can expect under starting conditions when full voltage is
applied. Multiply the LRA by the voltage to get your starting wattage.
• Another way to find starting wattage or inrush current is to get a good
quality clamp amp meter that can measure the inrush current. Simply
attach the amp meter to the appropriate wire, select the “inrush”
function of your amp meter, and start your appliance to get a reading.
Multiply the amps by the voltage to get the wattage.
Determine fuel
sources available
Propane: Clean burning, available as a liquid or vapor, stored in pressurized containers
that require refilling.
Natural gas: Most cost effective and readily available, delivered through pipelines so
refueling is not necessary, less energy efficient per gallon than most, not for indoor use.
Gasoline: Good choice for portable generators, Gasoline can last for up to three years
if properly stored and combined with fuel stabilizer.
Diesel: High durability, long life, readily available, hard starting in cold weather, and
offers the most energy per gallon. Diesel can last for six months to one year if properly
stored but is prone to wet stacking and a high amount of emissions.
Bi fuel: Can burn gasoline/diesel and has a natural gas hookup, as well as flexibility for
long-term and short-term use based on available fuels.
Generator Sizing
Instructions
There is not a single correct sizing solution. The following are several methods that, when
mixed with good judgement, should result in an appropriately sized generator.
Remember to consider load growth, seasonality, and effects of starting motors.
Remember: Never add Amps when sizing a generator. Convert Amps to kW and add kW
to determine the required generator size. Adding Amps without properly accounting for
the power factor and/or mixing voltages will result in improperly sizing the generator.
Partial House (Essentials)
Load Summation Method
Make a list of all items you wish to power at the same time during an outage. Be realistic but
inclusive.
1. Using the Wattage Chart below, fill in the running watts and starting watts requirements on
the ‘You Power Needs’ section. (See example below)
2. Add the Running Watts of the items you wish to power. Enter this number in the ‘Total
Running Watts’ column.
3. Select the individual item with the highest number of starting watts. Take this one number,
add it to you Total Running Watts, and enter it in the Total Starting Watts box.
EXAMPLE
RUNNING ADDITONAL
DESCRIPTION
WATTS STARTING WATTS
1. Refrigerator/Freezer 700 2200
2. Furnace Fan Blower – 1/2 HP 800 2300 With this example, you need
3. Washing Machine 1150 2250
4. Range Oven/Stove Top 8000 0 a generator that produces at
5. Sump Pump 1/3 HP 800 1300 least 12,500 Total Running
6. Well Pump 1/2 HP 1050 2100
7. Watts and 14,800 Total
TOTAL HIGHEST Starting Watts
RUNNING ADDITIONAL
WATTS STARTING WATTS
12500 2300
TOTAL RUNNING WATTS + HIGHEST ADDITIONAL STARTING WATTS =
TOTAL STARTING WATTS NEEDED 14800 YOUR POWER NEEDS
RUNNING ADDITONAL
DESCRIPTION
WATTS STARTING WATTS
1.
2
3.
I need a generator that 4.
5.
produces at least _________ 6.
total running watts and 7.
TOTAL HIGHEST
________ total starting watts. RUNNING ADDITIONAL
WATTS STARTING WATTS
TOTAL RUNNING WATTS + HIGHEST ADDITIONAL STARTING WATTS =
TOTAL STARTING WATTS NEEDED
Wattage Chart
RUNNING ADDITONAL
DESCRIPTION
WATTS STARTING WATTS
ESSENTIALS
Light - 60 watt 60 0
Deep Freezer 500 1500
Sump Pump 1/3 HP 800 1300
Well Pump 1/2 HP 1000 2100
Electric Water Heater 4000 0
General Lighting & Receptacles
3000 0
per 1000sq ft
HEATING / COOLING
Space Heater 1800 0
Furnace Fan Blower – 1/2 HP 800 2300
Furnace Fan Blower – 1/3 HP 700 1400
Window AC – 10,000 BTU 1200 3600
Window AC – 12,000 BTU 3250 9750
Central AC – 10,000 BTU 1500 4500
Central AC – 24,000 BTU 3800 11400
Heat Pump 4700 4500
Electric Heat per 1000ft^2 12000 0
LAUNDRY ROOM
Washing Machine 1150 2250
Clothes Dryer – Electric 5400 6750
Clothes Dryer – Gas 700 1800
KITCHEN
Refrigerator/Freezer 700 2200
Microwave Oven – 625 Watts 625 0
Microwave Oven – 1000 Watts 1000 0
Coffee Maker 1000 0
Electric Stove – 8 in. Element 2100 0
Dishwasher – Hot Dry 1500 0
Range Oven/Stove Top 8000 0
OTHER
1/2 HP Garage Door Opener 875 2350
* The wattages listed in our reference guide are based on estimated
wattage requirements. For exact wattages, check the data plate or
owner’s manual on the item you wish to power.
Whole House – Measurement Method:
Connect a recording ammeter or power meter that can measure the
maximum peak kW demand continuously over a thirty-day period.
The maximum kW demand should be taken while the building is
occupied and should include the larger of the heating or cooling
loads.
The peak kW demand should be multiplied by 125%
Calculated kW demand = Peak kW demand * 125%
Size the generator to the next standard size.
Whole House – Billing History Method:
Using a year’s worth of electric bills, size the generator to 25% larger
than the largest peak demand. Peak demand is simply the average
electrical usage that has occurred over a 15-minute period.
You can find your peak demand one of three ways:
1. Website, by logging onto your account
www.fallriverelectric.com />My Usage>Select a year’s
worth of data>Change the chart to ‘Peak Demand.’
2. On your monthly bill, your peak demand is listed for that
billing period.
3. Call one of our friendly member service representatives
at (800) 632-5726 and request your demand for the year.
The EASY Way – Home Standby Generator Sizing Calculators:
Generac
https://www.generac.com/for-homeowners/home-backup-
power/build-your-generator
Briggs & Stratton
https://www.briggsandstratton.com/na/en_us/buying-
guides/standby-generators/choosing-standby-generator.html
Kohler
http://www.kohlerpower.com/home/home-
generators/selector#your-home
Choosing a Transfer Switch:
Choosing a Transfer Switch:
An automatic transfer switch (ATS) is a self-acting, intelligent power
switching device governed by dedicated control logic. The principal
purpose of an ATS is to ensure the continuous delivery of electrical
power from one of two power sources to a connected load circuit.
Load Center Automatic Transfer Switch: When only powering partial
(essential) circuits to your home, you will need a load center (panel)
that you can land each individual breaker that feeds each circuit
that you have chosen, as necessary.
Service Rated: When powering your whole house with a generator,
you will use a service rated ATS. This is typically located in between
the utilities meter and your main panel.
Safety Considerations:
- Potentially lethal voltages
- Comply with ALL codes and standards
- Gaseous fuels are highly explosive
- Parts are rotation and/or hot
- Carbon monoxide (CO) odorless, colorless,
poisonous gas
