Free tool
What size generator do you actually need?
Pick what has to stay running and how your power actually fails. Out comes the wattage, the lane call (standby, portable, or a battery), and the fuel math nobody quotes.
Your sizing math
3,600W
1,700W running + 1,300W for the biggest motor start, with 20% headroom. Size for the start surge, not the sticker.
- Running load
- 1,700W
- Largest start surge
- +1,300W
- Recommended capacity
- 3,600W
The lane call
A portable in the 4,000-5,000W class, plus an interlock
The value lane: a $500 to $2,500 machine plus a $400 to $850 interlock install covers your selected loads legally and safely. Read interlock vs transfer switch before the electrician visit, and the portable roundup when you shortlist.
Plan fuel: a mid-size portable under real load drinks roughly half a gallon of gas an hour. That is 10+ gallons a day, so storage and a siphon plan matter by day two.
Estimate, not a quote. Real numbers depend on your exact appliances (the data plate on each one lists watts). Never size from a "10,000W" badge alone: surge ratings on bargain units are marketing.
Email me the full worksheetWant the reasoning behind these numbers? Read the sizing guide, the real-cost guide, and before you run anything, the carbon monoxide rules.