What Size Generator to Run A 2,500 Sq Ft House

The ideal approach here is to have some flexibility in your electricity usage. For example, if your estimated energy usage is around 2,000-2,200W, invest in a model rated 2,500-3,000W to have some buffer. This way, you can add an appliance later on if needed.

That said, you can size your generator down if you’re diligent about power consumption. A small-sized generator should suffice if you wish to power a few basic appliances like fans, TVs, routers, etc. It also saves you money upfront. Overall, the goal is to get an optimal generator that fits your power needs without overspending.

Determine Generator Size for a 2,500 Sq Ft House

The most important factor to consider when purchasing a generator is your house’s power needs. Add up the appliances (basic or heavy-duty) you want to power during the wattage. Besides, factor in your future energy needs if you plan to add any appliances. Typically, it should look like this:

The above table is a general assumption, and it all comes down to the number of appliances you have and the overall power needed. These are the main things to consider:

Understand Running, Starting, Surge Wattage

To determine what size of generator you need to run a 2,500 sq ft house, let’s start with the basics. That is, understand the differences between running, starting, and surge wattage. Here’s what you need to know:

• Running Wattage: It refers to the amount of power an appliance needs to keep on running. It is the figure you’ll find in most user manuals.  
• Starting Wattage: As in the name, starting wattage is defined as the amount of power an appliance needs to start. The figure is typically higher than running wattage, sometimes two to three times or more. It’s important to consider that your generator must have enough power to start/restart appliances running before power cuts, from dishwashers to ACs.
• Surge Wattage: Surge or peak wattage is the highest wattage an appliance might need while running. So, if your appliances run on a generator during a power cut, it needs to accommodate the total wattage plus a few thousand extra to accommodate the surge wattage.

Appliances to Power

All household appliances have different running and starting wattage, which means the power they require varies. The table reveals the respective wattage of household appliances:

To get an exact idea of your appliance’s starting and running wattage, refer to their user manual.

Calculate The Total Wattage Needed

Now that you know your electrical appliances' starting and running wattage, it’s time to calculate the total wattage. It’s a crucial step in determining the actual size of your generator, so here’s the formula:

Running wattage of items you want to use + Single highest watts out of the items you want to use= Total surge wattage needed

With this formula, calculate the total surge wattage needs of appliances with a motor. Items like coffee makers and lights don’t need an extra boost to start, so their starting wattage is the total power needed.

For example, Let’s assume you want to run a small refrigerator, well water pump, and an iron using a generator. Upon consulting the provided manual, you will perceive their running wattage to be 700, 1000, and 1200 watts, respectively. Now, as per the above table, the refrigerator has the highest starting wattage of around 2200 watts. So, the calculation goes as follows:

Total Running Wattage Required = 700+1000+1200 = 2900 watts

Total Surge Wattage Required = (700+1000+1200) + 2200 = 6100 watts

So, you need around 2900 running and 6100 starting watts to power your appliances from the chosen generator.

Please Note: Sometimes, the power requirements of an appliance are mentioned in volts or amps so that you can calculate the running watts with this equation: Volts (V) × Amps (A) = Watts (W). For example, a typical refrigerator operates at 120V and 6A, so its wattage = 120 × 6 = 720W.

Typical Generator Sizes

Now that the wattage calculations are done, here are the typical generator sizes available for your 2,500 sq ft house:

• 15kWh- enough to power the essentials
• 20kWh- can ensure a more comfortable experience
• 25kWh- enough to power most of your household needs

Now, here’s a list of items you can power with the respective generator sizes:

The available generator sizes can individually power each of your appliances, but here’s the catch: in the event of a power outage, you’ll power a set of appliances at once. So, a 15kWh might not be able to fulfill your home’s overall power requirements.

For example, let’s consider you’re running a heat pump (4700W), electric water heater (4500W), microwave oven (800W), window AC (3200W), and a space heater (1800W) all at once. So, the combined running wattage of the appliances is 15,000W. Some of these also have starting wattage, so a 15kW can’t suffice. In such cases, consider investing in a higher-capacity generator.   

Types of Generators for Your 2,500 Sq Ft House

There are two categories of generators classified by the different usages and fuels, including:

Classified by Usages

Based on the application, generators are primarily of three types: standby, portable, and inverter.

Classified by Fuels

Other than the usage, generators are also classified by the type of fuel they use: gasoline, propane, diesel, and solar generators. The pros and cons of the respective generators are presented in the form of a table:

From the above pros and cons, it’s understandable that portable solar generators are a better option than others. Let’s compare them in detail:

Portable Generator Vs. Others

Portable generators have multiple advantages over others, including:

• Portability: These generators are easy to move around with handles and wheels. So you can carry them to remote locations without electricity. It makes them ideal for camping, tailgating, and outdoor events.
• Cost: Portable generators are typically cheaper than commercially installed or whole-house generators.
• Flexibility: You can use them for multiple applications, such as powering appliances during power outages, DIY projects, or even during a backyard BBQ.
• Ease of Use: Portable generators are usually easy to use and maintain.  

Solar Generator Vs. Others

Solar generators are a better option than others, due to obvious reasons which are as follows:

• Environmentally Friendly: Solar generators convert the sun’s rays into usable electricity. Besides, they don’t burn fuel and release emissions like gasoline or other fuel alternatives.
• Low Maintenance: These don’t have moving parts or fuel tanks to be filled and require little maintenance.
• Reduced Electricity Bills: Solar panels can power your entire home for free, and you don’t have to depend much on electrical grids. As a result, you save a lot on electricity bills.
• Portability: Gas generators weigh up to 200 pounds, so moving them around is difficult. On the other hand, solar generators are lighter and don’t require much space to store or transport.

Costs for a 2,500 Sq Ft House Generator

Whether you experience frequent outages or are planning to stay prepared, investing in generators is a smart decision. An average American experiences hours of outages yearly, partly due to severe weather. While addressing the repercussions of extreme weather, having lights on gives peace of mind.

The cost of a home generator depends on several factors, from its model to its power capacity and features. Depending on the capacity, their price, however, vary from $300 to $25,000, which is detailed in the following table:

 Now the costs also vary with the type of generators, which are as follows:

Jackery Solar Generators are one of the market's most popular options for multiple reasons: portability, reliability, efficiency, safety, and availability in multiple capacities. Their costs vary with its capacity and the type of solar panel you purchase. For example, a Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro costs around $3,699, while a Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is priced at $3,099. These are some of the most affordable battery backup solutions out there.

Jackery Solar Generators for 2,500 Sq Ft House

Jackery is a pioneer in manufacturing solar-powered battery backups and has multiple products in its portfolio: solar generators, portable power stations, and solar panels. Since its start in 2012, it has sold more than 4 million units and earned several accolades for its use of clean fuel and contribution to reducing the carbon footprint.

Jackery Solar Generators combine Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels and Jackery Portable Power Stations to collect and convert the sun’s rays into usable electricity. Its power stations store the generated electricity, and you can use it at any time you need.

Multiple sizes are available, so whether you want to power your entire house or a few appliances during outages, there is something for you. These are reliable, safe, efficient, and make little to no noise while operating.  

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro has a powerful battery capacity and a massive power output to power 99% of your home appliances. These include basic appliances like fans, lights, computers, and smartphones or heavy-duty ones like air conditioners, washing machines, etc. It weighs only 63.93 lbs, making it 30% lighter than other similar-capacity generators in the market. If you want your generator to power most of your appliances during a power outage, then it’s the ideal solution.  

Appliance Running Hours:

• Refrigerator (600W): 4.3H
• Sump Pump (1500W): 1.7H
• AC (1500W): 1.7H
• Sound System (300W): 8.6H
• Electric Cooler (100W): 25.7H
• LED TV (100W): 25.7H

Customer Review: “I recently had to drive from Colorado to California, my son has an oxygen concentrator and bypap that needs to be on 24/7. Full charge, it gave me 7 to 8 hours. decent time considering we ran it non-stop.”- Ivan H

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (6kWh)

If you want to offset your dependency on the electric grid during peak hours, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (6kWh) is an ideal choice. The sizeable generator can power 99% of your mid-sized and heavy-duty appliances, such as AC units, refrigerators, sump pumps, lights, etc. It’s safe to use and keeps your appliances intact during a power failure or a sudden electricity surge.

Appliance Running Hours:

• Refrigerator (600W): 8.7H
• Sump Pump (1500W): 3.5H
• AC (1500W): 3.5H
• Sound System (300W): 17.4H
• Electric Cooler (100W): 52.1H
• LED TV (100W): 52.1H

Customer Review: “This is absolutely a great addition to the 2000 Plus. I mainly have this for power outages, but will use this on the occasional camping trip. I will probably buy an additional pack to make my supply 6k.”- Mark Watkins 

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (24kWh)

If you’re willing to completely offset the reliance on the electric grid, you may consider the powerful and robust Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (24kWh). This ultimate power master entails powerful batteries to charge heavy-duty appliances like space heaters, central AC, water heaters, and more. It’s also a great battery backup solution for remote sites with no nearby power outlets.

Appliance Running Hours:

• Refrigerator (600W): 34.7H
• Sump Pump (1500W): 13.9H
• AC (1500W): 13.9H
• Sound System (300W): 69.5H
• Electric Cooler (100W): 208.4H
• LED TV (100W): 208.4H

Customer Review: “The 2000 Plus battery pack is an excellent way to expand your storage if you already have one of the Jackery Solar Generators in the ‘Plus’ line. No frills, easy-to-use connections, and charging times were as reported. Built-in handles make carrying simple.”- Patrick Walz

Choosing a Generator for Your 2,500 Sq Ft House

Investing in a generator for your 2,500 home is no rocket science. You need to weigh in the basics such as the appliances you wish to power, fuel source, budget, and others. These are detailed as follows:

Power Requirements: When selecting a generator, it’s key to determine how much power you require. Consider investing in a generator that meets your needs, regardless of you want to power your entire home or just a few appliances during power outages. For example, if you run a refrigerator (700W) and a sump pump (1000W), get a generator with at least 2000Wh capacity. It’s important to keep a buffer for any equipment you add in the future.

Fuel Source: As mentioned earlier, typically, there are four types of generators based on the type of fuel source: gasoline, natural gas, propane, and solar. Consider the use case, efficiency, and reliability of each type to make a decision.

Budget: The generator you invest in ultimately depends on your budget. Remember, standby generators are more expensive, while portable generators are more affordable.

Safety: Generators operated by diesel, natural gas, propane, or gasoline generally emit pollutants and even carbon monoxide, which isn’t safe to inhale. Solar generators are emission-free and completely safe to keep in your home.  

Noise: Pay attention to the decibel rating of your generator, especially if you plan to install it in your home. The lower the value, the quieter the generator is. Consider generators with a decibel rating of less than 65dB to avoid any disturbance to your work.  

FAQs

How much generator capacity do I need for a 3000-square-foot house?

In general, 3000 sq ft houses require a generator between 20kW and 30kW to power most of your appliances simultaneously, including a refrigerator, microwave, TV, computer, electric oven, and others.

How big of a generator do I need to run my whole house?

The size of the solar generator you need for the whole house depends on the number of appliances you power at a time. For example, you’re powering a refrigerator (600W), sump pump (1500W), and sound system (300W) with Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro.

Working Time = Capacity of Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro in Wh × 0.85 / Operating wattage of the appliances.

Working Time = 3024 × 0.85/ 2400= 1.1H

Note: There’s some power loss while charging; hence we have multiplied the battery capacity by 0.85.

Can a generator be too big for a house?

Yes, a generator might produce electricity that isn’t entirely consumed by your house's electrical appliances.

What size generator to run a house with AC?

Depending on the cooling tonnage, you typically need a large 5000-8000W portable generator or higher.

Final Thoughts

Hope with the guide, you have the answer to what size generator to run a 2,500 sq ft house, and with proper considerations, you can invest in the ideal unit. Choosing the right-sized battery backup solution is crucial to meet your power needs and save you money in the long term. Amongst the available options and types, Jackery Solar Generators are one of the best. They are available in multiple sizes, are portable, reliable, effective, safe, and emit little to almost no noise.

What appliances are you planning to charge with the generator at home? Do let us know in the comments! If you have any other questions, drop them in the comments.