What Size Generator to Run A 1,500 Sq Ft House

If you want to determine the size of the generator for your 1,500 sq ft house, here's how to calculate it:

First, list all the household appliances that the generator will power, from the lighting system to the refrigerator and AC.

Second, calculate the appliances' total wattage (or power requirement). Here, you will need to consider the running and starting watts. The running wattage is the amount of power an appliance needs to run normally, whereas the starting wattage is the power needed to start large appliances.

Why the Size of the Generator Matters

When talking about a generator's size, it actually refers to its power output (or how much electrical energy it can produce). If you are charging heavy-duty appliances with a small or undersized generator, it might not be able to provide enough power. This can lead to power shortages and may damage the appliances or generator.

On the other hand, an oversized generator isn't a good solution either. An oversized generator could lead to electricity wastage and higher installation, fuel, and maintenance costs. The best way to avoid such scenarios is to size the generator properly - not too small, not too large, but just the right size. If you're still unsure how an undersized or oversized generator can impact the appliances, keep reading:

Downsides of Oversized Generators

Imagine buying a large truck when you just need a compact car for daily commuting. It's oversized for your needs, right? While it can carry more load, it also burns a lot more fuel and costs more to maintain. The same logic applies to the sizing of solar generators.

An oversized generator can generate much power - more than your home would need. It comes with higher upfront costs, and you would pay more for the generator and setup costs. Plus, the maintenance costs are higher for large generators, which adds to the overall expenses.

Downsides of Undersized Generators

Let's consider the other side of the coin - an undersized generator. Imagine powering a large TV or a power tool with a smartphone's battery. The inefficiency of the battery capacity can damage the generator and the appliance being charged.

An undersized home generator acts in a similar way. It cannot provide the electrical power you need to run the house effectively, and it might not be able to power the essential appliances. Plus, running an undersized generator at maximum capacity can lead to quick burnout and might require early replacement.

How to Determine The Size of the Generator

A generator with a capacity of 5,000 - 7,500 watts is sufficient for a typical 1,500-square-foot house. However, if you have a large home or use energy-intensive appliances such as electric heaters or sizeable central air conditioning units, you may need a larger generator.

Step 1: Understanding the Power Requirements

The first step is to list the household appliances you want to charge with the generator and their starting and running wattages.

Remember, if the appliances are rated in amps, you can use the below formula to convert amps to watts.

Watts (W) = Ampere (A) × Volts (V)

If the appliance is rated at 50 amperes and 120 volts, the wattage rating can be calculated as:

W = 50A × 120V = 6,000W

As mentioned, the starting wattage is the amount of power the appliance requires to start, while the running wattage is the power needed to run for hours. It's important to choose a generator that can not only handle the running watts but also the starting watts.

Your home's energy consumption will vary depending on the number of household appliances, their energy ratings, and usage frequency. Here's a table that includes the running and starting wattage of essential household appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners, heaters, lighting systems, etc.

Step 2: Calculate the Total Power Needs

Once you know the individual power requirements, you can easily calculate the total power needs of the entire household. This involves adding the running wattage of the appliances that might run simultaneously.

One thing to keep in mind is that you will not be using all the appliances at the same time. Hence, it's better to group essential appliances and those used frequently to get the total running wattage. For instance, let's say you want to charge the 5 appliances simultaneously using the generator:

• Refrigerator = 500W
• AC = 1,200W
• Portable Fan = 50W
• Induction Cooktop = 1,100W
• Water Heater = 1,050W

Total Running Wattage = 500W + 1,200W + 50W + 1,100W + 1,050W = 3,900W

In this case, the total running wattage would be 3,900W. Out of all these, the refrigerator has a starting wattage of around 1,500W, the sump pump has a starting watt of around 2,200W, and the window AC has a starting watt of 2,800W. You would need to add the highest starting wattage and the total running wattage to calculate the right generator size.

Step 3: Determine Generator Size

When determining the size of the generator, you'll need to look for a model that offers more than the total calculated needs. The extra capacity ensures the generator can effectively handle occasional surges without overloading. In this case, the total rated wattage of the generator required will be 3,900W.

Total Surge Watts of Generator = 3,900W + 2,800W = 6,700W

Note: The power requirements mentioned in this section are just for your reference. You should refer to the user manual to determine the exact generator size.

Types of Generators for Your House

Generators come in different sizes. While some are designed to charge most household appliances, others are tailored for small homes with energy-intensive appliances.

Classified by Usages

Different types of generators are available for a household, such as portable, inverter, and standby generators.

Portable Generators: Portable generators are best known for their affordability and versatility. A 5,000W - 7,500W generator can run most essential appliances, such as refrigerators, sump pumps, and several lights. You can also use these generators for outdoor activities or in other locations.

Inverter Generators: They stand out for their ability to generate clean power and operate sensitive electronics, such as smartphones, laptops, medical equipment, etc., without damage. They are also ideal for those who want noise reduction and power quality.

Standby Generators: They are robust solutions for continuous power supply installed outside the home. They are connected to the natural gas or propane supply, eliminating the need to refuel.

Classified by Fuels

Home generators are also classified by fuels, including gasoline, diesel, propane, and solar. Let’s explain these types briefly:

Gasoline Generators: Gasoline is the most common fuel and is known for its high output. Gasoline generators have simple controls and low prices, making them ideal for people with a low budget. On the downside, they have a high emission rate and tend to be more expensive in the long run.

Diesel Generators: Generators running on diesel can provide more power output than gasoline generators. They are reliable and robust, making them suitable for industrial and commercial applications.

Propane Generators: Propane generators use liquified petroleum gas as the fuel source. Since propane is hard to find compared to gas and diesel, it seems expensive compared to gas generators.

Solar Generators: They are eco-friendly charging solutions that do not emit toxic fumes or noise while operating. A large solar-powered generator can power most small to heavy-duty appliances for long hours. While the initial investment might seem expensive, they seem affordable in the long run.

Can a portable generator power a house?

Yes, a portable generator can charge most household appliances. However, the exact working time will depend on the total wattage of the appliances being charged. For example, a portable generator with a capacity of around 5,000W -7,500W can charge most household appliances in a 1,500 sq ft home.

If you're looking for a clean and green charging solution, consider solar generators. They work by using solar energy and do not emit any toxic fumes. Unlike gas generators, solar generators can also be used indoors because of their toxic-free and noise-free operation. Jackery Solar Generators are portable and powerful solar-powered generators that charge 99% of household appliances for long hours.

Jackery Solar Generators for 1,500 Sq Ft House

Solar generators are portable and ideal for charging most household appliances for long hours. They do not emit toxic fumes or gases, making them suitable for indoor use. Jackery is a renowned brand that manufactures solar generators, portable power stations, and solar panels. The Jackery Solar Generators combine portable power stations and solar panels.

When the sunlight hits the solar panels, they convert to DC electricity. The pure sine wave inverter featured in the Jackery Portable Power Stations converts DC to AC electricity, which is suitable for charging household appliances such as refrigerators, ACs, lights, etc. Depending on the power needs of a 1,500 sq ft house, here we will recommend three Jackery Solar Generators:  

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro

Whether you want to go completely off the grid or keep appliances charged during long-term power outages, the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro would be a great option. The large battery capacity lets you charge 99% of household appliances, such as refrigerators, ACs, and lights. The pull rods and double wheels make it easy to transport between rooms. The compact design and flat top ensure it can fit in tight places. The Smart App allows you to control the features via Bluetooth or WiFi.

Appliances Running Time

• Refrigerator (500W) = 5.1H
• AC (1200W) = 2.1H
• Portable Fan (50W) = 51.4H
• Induction Cooktop (1100W) = 2.3H
• Electric Water Heater (2000W) = 1.2H
• Toaster (800W) = 3.2H

Customer Review

"All I can say is it ran in my refrigerator for 12 hours and only got down to 60%. That's without solar panels. Also ran my PC (lots of social media videos), Xbox, and fan on another day, and it got down to 12%. Pretty impressed." - Rhys Adams.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is an expandable option for your home. Its large rated and surge wattage ensures it can charge heavy-duty appliances such as ACs without overloading the system. It has multiple output ports to allow you to connect various household appliances simultaneously to charge them. If you want more power in the future, the solar generator's battery capacity can be expanded up to 24kWh with the additional Jackery Battery Pack 2000 Plus.

Appliances Running Time

• Refrigerator (500W) = 3.4H
• AC (1200W) = 1.4H
• Portable Fan (50W) = 34.7H
• Induction Cooktop (1100W) = 1.5H
• Electric Water Heater (2000W) = 52 minutes
• Toaster (800W) = 2.1H

Customer Review

"Very good quality batteries last a very long time. Very easy to move around with the built-in tires. Love the upgradeability. The best solar generator I have ever had." - Marc.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh)

If your main aim is to live off-grid and reduce the load on the primary electricity grid, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh) is quite the generator you can consider. The double wheels and foldable handle make transportation between rooms a walk in the park. It can easily run kitchen equipment, cooling devices, and even sensitive electronics. With the solar panels available, you'll never have to lack power in case of power outages.

Appliances Running Time

• Refrigerator (500W) = 6.8H
• AC (1200W) = 2.8H
• Portable Fan (50W) = 69.4H
• Induction Cooktop (1100W) = 3.1H
• Electric Water Heater (2000W) = 1.7H
• Toaster (800W) = 4.3H

Customer Review

"This will take care of my family during power outages. It's portable enough that we can take it with us if we move or buy an RV or cabin. All charged and ready. I like that it's expandable. Thank you, Jackery!" - Dennis Johnson.

How to determine the size of Jackery Solar Generators?

The size of the solar generator depends on the total running wattage of the appliances you want to charge and the time for which they are being charged. Let's say there is a power outage in your area, and you need to charge a refrigerator (500W), lights (20W), and TV (150W) at the same time. When you charge these appliances with the help of the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus, the working hours can be calculated as follows:

Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh × 0.85 ÷ Operating Wattage of the Appliances = 2042.8Wh × 0.85 ÷ 670W = 2.5H

Note: We have multiplied the battery capacity by 0.85 because there will be some power loss while charging the appliances.

How Much Is A Generator for A 1,500 Sq Ft House

The cost of a generator for a 1,500 sq ft house varies depending on the fuel type, capacity, and features. You can expect to pay anywhere around $500 - $1,500 for a basic portable gasoline generator with a capacity of 5,000W - 7,500W.

But how much is a generator for a 1,500 sq ft house? Standby generators cost around $2,000 to $10,000+, depending on the fuel type (natural gas or propane). However, these generators involve ongoing fuel costs, which add to the overall expenses.

On the other hand, the Jackery Solar Generators for 1,500 sq ft home costs less and does not involve any fuel expenses. For example, the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro costs around $3,999 and can charge 99% of household appliances, such as refrigerators, ACs, lights, etc.

If you're looking for a generator that can be expanded depending on your needs, you may consider the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus, which costs around $3,099. The purchase includes Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels to help you charge the portable power station without any fuel expenses.

How to Choose The Best Generator for Your House

When buying the best generator for your house, size is not the only factor you must consider. Here are some other factors you should keep in mind while choosing the best generator for your home:

Capacity 

The desired generator should have sufficient capacity and power ratings. The generator's battery capacity should be technically higher than the running wattage of the appliances you would like to charge. A large battery capacity can store more power and supply electricity for long hours.

Noise Level

When understanding the noise level, you'll need to consider the fuel type. Generally, gasoline and diesel generators are loud, and their sound level reaches various distances. On the other hand, solar generators are best if noise is a concern.

Fuel Type

Generators commonly run on diesel, gasoline, and natural gas. While gasoline generators tend to be more affordable and widely available, diesel generators have a long runtime but are noisy.

Portability 

If you want to use the generator at home, in the garage, or in an outdoor working space, you'll need a portable generator. Look for the portable generator's weight and dimensions. It should also have wheels and handles to make transportation easier.

FAQs 

How many watts does a 1500-square-foot house use?

On average, a 1,500-square-foot house may use 28 - 29kWh daily. However, the exact amount of power the home uses depends on the number of appliances, the weather, and how long you use each appliance.

Will a 7,500-watt generator run a house?

Yes, a 7,500-watt generator can run most of the typical household appliances, such as air conditioners, refrigerators, light bulbs, TVs, and more.

Will a 9,500-watt generator run central air?

Yes, a central air conditioner typically requires a large 5,000 - 9,500-watt generator or higher. However, the exact generator size will depend on the cooling tonnage.

Can a generator be too big for a house?

Yes, a generator that supplies much more electricity than you would need can be considered too big.

What size generator to run AC?

A 1,000-watt generator can typically run a small to medium-sized window AC. However, you'll need at least 2,000-watt generators to charge a large window AC.

Final Thoughts

Understanding what size generator to run a 1,500 sq ft house involves proper knowledge of the home's energy evaluation and available generator types. While a 5,000-7,500W generator typically suffices the needs of a 1,500 sq ft house, the exact size might vary depending on the individual lifestyle and appliances needed during an outage.

Jackery Solar Generators are ideal solar-powered generators that charge most household appliances, such as refrigerators, grills, ACs, etc. They are powerful, portable charging solutions with compact designs and foldable handles. The larger generators feature double wheels to make transportation easier.