What Size Generator Do I Need?

Select an option that best suits your needs

🔌 I am interested in running only the essentials.

Keep food cold, lights on, and phones charged during short-term outages.

✅ This may be a good fit for you if you:

  • Want simple, budget-friendly backup power
  • Need to power the basics: fridge, lights, fans, chargers
  • Prefer a small, easy-to-move generator

⚠️ This may not be a good fit for you if you:

  • You want more comfort or convenience during an outage
  • You rely on powered medical equipment or home office setups 
  • You want full-house reliability or climate control

😊 I want to run enough to feel comfortable throughout the outage.

Add creature comforts and stay productive, especially during multi-day outages.

✅ This may be a good fit for you if you:

  • Expect long-term outages or live in a storm-prone area
  • Work from home or want to power essentials plus a few extras
  • Can physically manage a mid-sized portable generator

⚠️ This may not be a good fit for you if you:

  • You’re on a tight budget
  • You’d struggle to move or maintain a heavier generator
  • You want your power to transfer automatically without manual effort

❄️ I want to run enough to feel comfortable — with or without my central A/C.

Keep cool and carry on with most of your daily comforts during an outage.

✅ This may be a good fit for you if you:

  • Want to power much of your home, including portable A/C or central A/C with a soft start
  • Need to stay cool in hot climates
  • Don’t mind manually turning your generator on
  • Can comfortably move a heavy portable generator

⚠️ This may not be a good fit for you if you:

  • Don’t want to deal with refueling or load management
  • Are on a strict budget
  • Prefer a generator that turns on automatically
  • Don’t want to involve an HVAC contractor for soft start setup (if you want to run your central a/c)

🏡 I want to run my entire house without having to manually turn my generator on.

Stay fully powered — lights, appliances, A/C — as if the power never went out.

✅ This may be a good fit for you if you:

  • Want a seamless, automatic switch to backup power
  • Need to run central A/C, electric stove, water heater, and more
  • Live in an area with frequent or extended outages
  • Prefer a long-term, hands-off solution

⚠️ This may not be a good fit for you if you:

  • Your HOA doesn’t allow standby generators
  • You’re not ready for the added costs (fuel tank, pad, permits)
  • You’re looking for a more portable or budget-friendly option

🏡 Result:
You’re a great fit for a small portable generator (under 3000 watts)

You’re focused on keeping the basics running — smart, simple, and reliable.
A small, portable generator should meet your needs.

Approximate Costs:
Generator: $400-$800
Electrical Transfer System and Inlet: $800-$2,500+

Bryan’s Pro Tip:
Before purchasing your generator, make a list of the items you want to power and figure out how much power you’ll need to start and run those items.

🏡 Result:
You’re a great fit for a medium portable generator (4,000 - 8,000 watts)

Approximate Costs:
Generator: $600-$900
Electrical Transfer System and Inlet: $800-$2,500+

Bryan’s Pro Tip:
Make sure to factor in both the starting and running watts of appliances when choosing a generator this size. To learn more about starting and running watts and how it affects your generator purchase, click here.

🏡 Result:
You’re a great fit for a large portable generator (8,000 - 15,000+ watts)

Approximate Costs:
Generator: $1,200-$2,000+
Electrical Transfer System and Inlet: $800-$2,500+

Bryan’s Pro Tip:
If you plan on running your central A/C, you will need a softstart on your a/c unit. To learn more about softstarts, click here.

🏡 Result:
You’re a great fit for a Whole-Home Standby Generator

You want peace of mind and power that’s always ready.

A whole-home standby generator is the best match for your needs. It will automatically kick on when the power goes out and keep everything running — from your central A/C and kitchen appliances to lights.

Bryan’s Pro Tip:
Standby generators can easily come with a hefty price tag that many homeowners aren’t prepared for. Make sure you reach out to the contractors you will need (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc..) to get a good idea on prices before purchasing your generator. Ask your generator supplier if they have referrals for other contractors that they frequently work with. To learn more about the associated costs of installing a standby generator, click here.

Approximate Costs:
Generator $5,000-$15,000
Installation: $2,500-$5,500
Concrete Pad: $500-$1,500
Propane Tank and Installation: $1,000 – $5,000
Electrical Setup: $2,000-$5,000
Permits and Miscellaneous Fees: $500-$2,000

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