What Size Generator to Run a 1,500 Sq Ft House?

Picking the right-size generator is essential for many reasons, your appliance's safety being the most important. Let's face it, as the integration of technology grew in our lives, the need for constant and stable electricity did as well.

Power outages can cut your access to essential appliances, disrupting your routine. And that's why we need power generators. They can also be useful to people living off the grid for numerous reasons like self-sufficiency.

Now you understand that you need a dynamo but choosing the right size is confusing. No need to worry! In this article, I will discuss the correct size generator to run a 1500 sq ft house, depending on load and power outage schedule. So, keep reading!

Why does generator size matter for a 1,500 sq ft house?

The generator size is usually relevant to its power output and not physical dimensions. Hence, picking the right size is essential to ensure your safety, save money, and keep your appliances from irreversible damage.

Undersize a generator and you'll end up with no electricity since it can't properly power the equipment. Or, it will do more harm than good by damaging your appliances. By using a too-small generator, you're essentially forcing it to supply more power than it can, eventually frying your generator along with expensive appliances.

Likewise, choosing an oversized generator will hurt your pocket. Initially, larger generators are costlier and consume more fuel. Also, their maintenance and installation are more expensive. So, by installing an oversized generator that doesn't work for you, you're wasting money.

That said, let's see how you can pick the right-sized generator generator for a 1500 sq ft house for safety, efficient power utilization, and cost-effectiveness.

Calculating power requirements for a 1,500 sq ft house

To calculate your house's power requirements, first determine the estimated wattage of each appliance. Here's how much power some of the common appliances usually require.

Appliances	Power consumption
Air conditioner	3,500-5,000W
Television (42" LCD/LED)	70-200W
Television (42" Plasma)	150-400W
Computer	100-400W
LED light bulb(10 W)	10W
Refrigerator	100-400W
Iron	1,000-1,800W
Ceiling fan	50-100W

Next, you would determine the peak and running wattages.

• Running wattage is the watts your appliances continuously require to keep running. And peak wattage is the extra watts your electronics require for a short time period when turning on.
• Running watts are usually mentioned on the appliance but if they're not, multiply the volts and ampere and that will be your running wattage. For instance, if your coffee maker operates at 120 volts and utilizes 5 amps its running wattage would be 600 watts (500 x 120).

Now where do I find volts and amperes you ask? Look around your device or the box it came in, they'll be mentioned there. When it comes to starting or peak wattage, you must know that not every electronic device has additional starting wattage. Here, loads matter a lot and can be categorized into three types.

• The Resistive load is the simplest load that converts electrical current into heat. For instance toaster, oven, and incandescent light bulbs.
• Capacitive load is the load found in capacitors often used in electronic circuits.
• Inductive load is generated by almost any device with moving parts or a coil that creates a magnetic field. Examples include compressors in air conditioners and refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, etc.

If your devices belong to category one or two, you don't need to calculate starting wattage, as these items don't add extra load when turning on.

However, for category three devices, calculating the starting current isn't as straightforward as putting some values in a formula. It depends on various factors. So, how do you estimate the peak current now? Using one of these two ways:

1. Contact your appliance's manufacturer and ask them about the starting and running wattages.
2. Buy a high-quality clamp meter that can measure inrush current. It will simply tell you the current drawn when the device starts.

Now, use this formula to calculate the appliance's power consumption:

Power consumed = running wattage x time.

So, in the case of a 2 ton air conditioner, that usually consumes 3,500 watts, operating for 8 hours, the total power consumption be:

Power consumed = 3500 watts x 8 hours = 28000 watt-hours.

What size generator to run a 1,500 sq ft house?

To pick the right-sized generator, you need to consider other factors alongside the size of your house. For instance, how much load do you plan to add to the generator? Is it just the essentials like lights and refrigerator or the whole house including heavy appliances such as HVAC? Let's discuss what size generator you will need depending on your power needs.

1. Small generator

Small generators come in various sizes, ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 watts.

If you need to run electricity through a few rooms in your house, powering ceiling fans, four to five light bulbs, and a refrigerator, a small generator of around 5,000 watts may suffice. Small generators offer the benefit of mobility. They're also more affordable to purchase and install. However, the downside is that this kind of power generator creates excessive noise.

So, a small generator might be the right choice for people living in areas with occasional power outages.

2. Medium-sized generators

Mid-size generators are an upgrade from portable generators. These range from 7,500 to 10,000 watts, suitable for a 1,500 sq ft house, especially if you want to run the essential equipment and some extra conveniences.

3. Large generators

Want to power the major appliances, like HVAC and washing machine, around your house simultaneously? Large generators might be the right pick for you. During electricity outages, they power your whole house while you sit back and relax without worrying about overloading. However, this convenience comes with a higher installation and maintenance cost.

Hence, your needs play a huge part in deciding what size generator you buy for your 1,500 sq ft house. Therefore, consider what you'll be using the generator for and then decide.

Types of generators suitable for a 1,500 sq ft house

Different generators serve different purposes. Whether providing limited power to household appliances or the need for cleaner power for the sake of your gadget's health, there are options to cater to various requirements.

1. Portable generator

A small-sized generator supplies electricity to your household items temporarily. Homeowners usually keep portable generators to work through sudden and infrequent power cuts. They provide current to essential appliances like refrigerators depending on what size you get.

Pros

• They can be moved around easily.
• Cost-effective solution for emergency power needs.
• Run on a variety of fuels like propane, natural gas, gasoline, diesel, etc.

Cons

• Safety is a major concern since they produce carbon monoxide, a deadly gas.
• Limited power supply, not ideal for the whole house.
• Portable generators are loud.

2. Inverter generators

Inverter generators transform DC power into AC power and supply clean electrical energy, ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 watts. Despite being less powerful, their quiet operation may be convincing enough for homeowners with fewer electricity requirements.

Pros

• Clean power supply, suitable for sensitive electronic equipment.
• Lower fuel consumption means lower operation costs.
• Unlike traditional generators, you can combine a couple of inverter generators to your desired energy needs.

Cons

• Unsafe for indoor use, as it produces carbon monoxide.
• Higher initial cost.

3. Standby generators

Standby generators are a robust solution for extended power outages. They are operated automatically within a few seconds into a power cut. These generators are commonly used for commercial and residential (supply power to a 1,500 sq ft house) purposes when you need to run major appliances simultaneously.

Pros

• Can provide electricity for days during extended power failures.
• Modern standby generators are quieter.

Cons

• Expensive initial cost along with costly maintenance.
• Requires professional installation.

Tips for choosing the right size generator for your home size

Purchasing the right-sized generator can be confusing if you've never bought one before. To make it less confusing for you, I've created a list of things to consider for picking the right fit.

1. Noise levels

Imagine an extended electrical failure and you have to power your house using a generator through the night. But, the loud noise of the machine makes it impossible to sleep. Therefore, it's crucial to consider the noise levels of the generator. Think about how the loud sound will impact your daily life and whether you have any mechanisms to save yourself from it.

2. Evaluate fuel availability in your area

The whole point of buying a generator is for your convenience. However, using expensive or valuable fuel will only add to your inconvenience. Either it'll be more expensive to cover far distances to find the right combustible or it may not be used in times of need due to fuel unavailability.

3. Look for efficiency ratings

Efficiency rating refers to a generator's ratio of maximum output power to the shaft input power from the motor. Different power generators have different ideal efficiency ratings. For instance, diesel generators will typically run at 40% efficiency, which means that for every 100 input energy units, you get 40 units as output.

4. Choose a reputable brand

Choosing a reputable brand is recommended for many reasons. Firstly, almost all the time you'll be sure about the product's quality as they use premium components making the machine more reliable. And also, your generator can be backed by warranty protection. Brands like Renogy manufacture high-quality solar power generators with warranty protection.

5. Price range

Price always plays a huge part when making decisions like this. So, how much is a generator for a 1,500 sq ft house? It usually depends on the type and size. A small generator, on average, will cost around $300 to 4,800 dollars, whereas a whole-house generator can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $25,000.

Conclusion

When considering what size generator to run a 1,500 sq ft house is needed, the first thing that counts is your power needs. You can do so by reviewing how frequent power outages are for you and if you're willing to power the whole house or only a few essential items.

A small generator will do the job if power failures are not frequent and don't last long in your area. On the other hand, if electricity outages are.

Frequently asked questions

How many kW do I need for a 1500-square-foot house?

On average, a 10 to 15 kW generator would be enough for a 1500 sq ft house. However, if you plan to power a few lightweight electronics like four to five light bulbs, ceiling fans, and a refrigerator a small-sized generator (around 5,000 watts) will do the job.

To add a couple of extra items, consider getting a mid-sized dynamo of about 7,500 to 10,000 watts.

What size generator for a 1200 sq ft house?

A generator between 7,500-10,000 watts will suffice. With this, you can run basic appliances like a refrigerator, lighting, kitchen items like a coffee maker, and an air conditioner (about 2 tons).

That said, the exact size of a generator for a 1,200 sq ft house depends on your power consumption. Decide what appliances you plan to run simultaneously in case of a power outage and calculate their starting and running wattages.

What size generator for a 1300 sq ft house?

You can choose a 10 to 15-kW whole-house generator. It will be enough to power the essentials along with heating and cooling systems, and refrigerator. However, to buy a generator that specifically caters to your needs so you don't end up wasting money on an oversized or undersized generator consider calculating your home's total power consumption.

Generally, it's suggested to go for a generator size 20-25% greater than your house's power consumption.