What Size Generator Do You Need? How To Choose

A generator can give you tremendous peace of mind that your lights will stay on even if your community loses power. This protects your fridge and its contents, keeps the heater or air conditioner running, and ensures you can charge your phone or use your electronics. Yet, not all generators are created equal. If you’re wondering what size generator you need, here’s a guide on how to choose generator sizes so you can get the right one for your needs.

If you have questions about generators in Madison or the rest of Dane County, call us at 608-837-3638 to get a consultation.

Generator Sizes

Before deciding which size is right for your home, you must first understand the various sizes and their uses. Generators come in four basic sizes. These are:

• Recreational: A recreational generator creates up to 2,000 watts. This is sufficient to run your refrigerator and a few electronics during a power outage.
• Midsized: This size increases the capacity to 3,500 watts, sufficient for your fridge, several electronics, and an air conditioner.
• Large/Portable: Large, portable generators create up to 7,500 watts, enough to add your well pump, sump pump, gas furnace, or dishwasher and range to the mix.
• Home Standby: With up to 20,000 watts of capacity, a home standby generator will power everything in your home.

How to Choose Generator Size?

So, how can you learn how to choose a generator? The key to finding the right generator for your home is considering your budget and anticipated need. Invest in a standby unit if you live in an area prone to power outages. But if you don’t, then consider which items you absolutely must power in the event of an occasional outage.

Then, consider your budget. If your budget allows you to increase your capacity just a little beyond the minimum you think you need, consider doing so. This will ensure everything you need is available when you need it.

Finally, consider whether or not you want the generator to start automatically or if you want to set it up to run. A whole-house generator is the only option that will kick in the moment a power outage occurs, regardless of whether you’re asleep or not at home.

Do you need help choosing the right generator for your Madison home? Call 608-837-3638 to talk to our generator experts today.

Generator Installation

If you decide to add a standby generator to your home, you’ll want to work with a qualified electrical team to do the job. Action is here to help. We can install your unit in just one day, and during this process, we will inspect your electrical panel to ensure everything is ready to go. This inspection also ensures the generator we install is rated for your system and its demands, so you do not have any safety issues or power failures to worry about.

If you have a power outage, keep your home powered up with a generator. Call 608-837-3638 to schedule generator installation in Dane County.

Why Choose Us?

Action has been serving the Dane County area since 1989. Our electricians and HVAC contractors are dedicated to a 100% customer satisfaction rating. We offer the peace of mind that comes with upfront pricing and proper installation techniques. We aim to help you protect your home with a working generator that’s properly sized for your demand.

If you need a whole-house standby generator in Fitchburg or Madison, call 608-837-3638 or contact us online for help.