THE GENERATORCALC FIELD GUIDE
Generator Sizing & Backup Power Guides
Generator sizing guides built on our free generator calculators: appliance watts, RV setups, outage planning and finding the generator size that fits.
Latest guides
Practical answers. Clear next steps.Camping and outdoor 8 min read
What Can a 3,000 Watt Generator Run?
A generator labeled 3,000 W can run many individual RV and household appliances if 3,000 W is its continuous running rating. Under that interpretation, this check places 35 of 48 registered appliances within the running limit, 5 above it and 8 in a conditional or unknown category. If 3,000 W is o…
Home backup 5 min read
What Size Generator Do You Need for a Window Air Conditioner?
For this registered 5,000 BTU window-air-conditioner setup, plan for 1,175 W of continuous running capacity and 1,740 W of starting or surge capability. The scheduled loads reach 940 W before the modeled motor-start event. These figures cover one window AC plus a refrigerator, four LED bulbs, a b…
Home backup 6 min read
What Size Generator Do I Need for a Well Pump?
For this registered outage plan—a 1 HP, 230 V, 3-wire submersible well pump with two LED bulbs scheduled at the peak—we calculate a running-capacity planning target of 1,550 W. If the two phone chargers also run, the ordinary simultaneous load is 1,270 W. Neither figure is a complete generator si…
Home backup 5 min read
What Size Generator for a Refrigerator and Small Loads?
For this registered reference case, plan for 313 W of running capacity and an 1,050 W AC starting estimate. The scheduled load reaches 250 W, while the higher running figure includes the case's declared planning allowance. This is not a refrigerator-only or whole-home recommendation. It covers on…
Camping and outdoor 7 min read
24-Hour Ice Fishing Shelter Power Plan
For the registered winter ice-shack schedule, the loads use 1.2 kWh over 24 h. The model reports none with the declared battery, charging arrangement, generator windows, and starting state of charge. The decisive generator event occurs at 07:00, when Coffee maker 1,130 W, converter/charger input…
Appliances and equipment 5 min read
Window Air Conditioner Running and Starting Watts
For one 120 V window air conditioner, the reviewed dataset provides these size-class planning values: | Size class | Running watts | Starting watts | |---|---:|---:| | 5,000 BTU | 488 W range 450–600 W | 1,050 W range 900–1,200 W | | 10,000 BTU | 1,050 W range 900–1,500 W | 2,150 W range 1,800–2,…
Appliances and equipment 5 min read
Washing Machine Running and Starting Watts
The reviewed dataset lists a general washing machine at 1,150 W range 500–1,200 W and 1,425 W range 1,000–3,450 W. For the registered one-washer example, the generator must meet both parts of the result: 1,438 W running, 1,425 W starting. Running capability is the decisive constraint in this defa…
Appliances and equipment 5 min read
Upright Freezer Running and Starting Watts
For planning, the reviewed dataset lists 500 W range 100–700 W and 750 W range 500–2,100 W. Using the typical values and this page’s registered one-appliance method, the result is 625 W running, 750 W starting. Running watts cover normal compressor operation. Starting watts cover the brief additi…
Appliances and equipment 4 min read
How Many Watts Does a 2-Slice Toaster Use?
For the registered 2-slice toaster, the reviewed BGT 1.2.2 dataset supplies running power of 1,088 W range 850–1,650 W. Starting power is also 1,088 W range 850–1,650 W; the registered data does not add a separate startup surge. Use 1,088 W as a planning value when you do not yet have your toaste…
Appliances and equipment 5 min read
How Many Watts Does a 55-Inch LED TV Use?
For the reviewed 55-inch LED TV entry, the supplied running-power value is 190 W range 80–400 W. Its supplied starting-power value is 190 W range 80–400 W. These are planning values from the reviewed BGT 1.2.2 dataset, not measurements or manufacturer specifications for your television. The regis…
Appliances and equipment 4 min read
Sump Pump Running and Starting Watts
The reviewed dataset covers two 120 V motor-load classes: a 1/3 HP sump pump and a 1/2 HP sump pump. Each value applies to one pump, not both pumps operating together. | Sump-pump class | Running power | Starting power | |---|---:|---:| | 1/3 HP | 800 W range 500–800 W | 1,300 W range 1,000–2,100…
Appliances and equipment 4 min read
How Many Watts Does a Space Heater Use?
For the registered 120 V, non-motor space-heater example in the BGT 1.2.2 dataset, the running planning value is 1,500 W range 750–1,500 W. Starting demand is also 1,500 W range 750–1,500 W. These are low-confidence planning values, not specifications for every space heater. The registered range…