What size generator to run a house?
Check, uncheck or adjust the typical device list below — watts, startup surge and battery size update instantly. Numbers come from U.S. DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer spec sheets, not marketing copy.
1. Check what you need to power
Refrigeration & Freezers
- 1
- 1
Kitchen
- 1
- 1
- 1
Heating, Cooling & Fans
- 1
- 1
Water & Pumps
- 1
Laundry & Cleaning
- 1
- 1
Electronics & Office
- 2
- 1
- 1
- 4
Medical Devices
Power Tools & Outdoor
Lighting
- 12
2. Your sizing
⚠️ Your selection includes 240V equipment (submersible pump / central AC / dryer) — you need a split-phase (120/240V) station or a transfer switch setup. Verify nameplate watts and starting amps before buying; consult a licensed electrician for fixed wiring.
Assumptions: daily hours per device follow DOE / ENERGY STAR duty cycles; capacity adds a 25% margin. Check your appliance nameplates — actual draw varies by model.
3. Best matches from our 6-brand database
No portable station in our database covers this load. This is expandable-system or fixed home-battery territory — check current models from EcoFlow, Anker SOLIX and Bluetti for expansion ceilings, or consider a standby generator.
Static answer (crawlable summary)
Typical device list: Refrigerator (side-by-side, ~24 cu ft)×1, Freezer (upright, ~15 cu ft)×1, Central AC (3-ton, 36,000 BTU)×1, Furnace Fan (1/2 HP blower)×1, Submersible Well Pump (1/2 HP, 240V)×1, Clothes Washer×1, Clothes Dryer (gas)×1, Dishwasher (with heated dry)×1, Microwave Oven×1, Electric Kettle×1, Router + Modem×1, LED Bulb (60W equivalent)×12, TV (65-inch LED)×1, Laptop Computer×2, Phone / Smartphone Charger×4.
Estimated from: Energy Star Certified Products · Mfr spec: Goodman GSX14 (SS-GSX14) · VT Extension table (DOE-derived) · Franklin Electric (AID/AIM) · Unbound Solar Power Table (secondary) · Mfr spec class: Netgear KB + measured (ARRIS SB8200) · Energy Star Certified Products (bulbs) — some household values are cross-checked class estimates (not single-model nameplates); check your own appliance nameplate before buying.
| Continuous load | 10,415 W |
|---|---|
| Startup peak | 24,665 W (driven by 1× Central AC (3-ton, 36,000 BTU)) |
| Daily energy use | 38,580 Wh |
| Recommended capacity | 48,230 Wh (25% margin included) |
| Minimum inverter | 11,460 W continuous |
⚡ A soft-start kit may be the cheapest upgrade here
This scenario's startup peak is driven by a conventional compressor's locked-rotor start. A soft-start kit cuts that peak by a documented 50–70%, which can turn "nothing fits" into "several stations fit" — see the soft-start calculator for the exact numbers against our station database.
Frequently asked questions
What size generator to run a house?
For a typical setup (Refrigerator (side-by-side, ~24 cu ft), Freezer (upright, ~15 cu ft), Central AC (3-ton, 36,000 BTU), Furnace Fan (1/2 HP blower) and Submersible Well Pump (1/2 HP, 240V), plus 10 more devices), you need at least 10,415W of continuous power. The single biggest moment is startup: when 1× central ac (3-ton, 36,000 btu) kicks on, the momentary draw peaks at 24,665W. For a full day of runtime we recommend at least 48,230Wh of battery capacity (your devices use about 38,580Wh per day, plus a 25% margin for a full day of use).
Which power stations can handle this?
No single portable station covers this load — this is expandable-system or fixed home-battery territory. Look for a surge rating above 24,665W and at least 48,230Wh.
Why is the startup surge higher than the running watts?
Motor-driven devices (fridge compressors, well pumps, air conditioners) draw 2-5× their running power for a split second at startup — measured as locked-rotor amps (LRA). On this page the biggest spike comes from the Central AC (3-ton, 36,000 BTU): a station that only meets the running load will trip or stall when it starts. Data sources: U.S. DOE Energy Saver, ENERGY STAR certified products, manufacturer spec sheets.