Picture this: you’re spending a stormy night inside the home with your family, confident you won’t lose power or the function of your most-used appliances because you have a backup generator. However, before long, the power cuts — and you’re left in the dark, wondering what could have gone wrong with your backup power source. A possible and common reason? Your backup generator wasn’t properly sized for your home.

At Colonial Generators, we understand the importance of keeping life uninterrupted. Our trained and highly-skilled professionals on staff get it — having an appropriately-sized generator for your home should be just as big of a concern as having power when you need it most. When you partner with us, we consider more than just the homeowner — we understand that a power outage affects families; children, grandparents, beloved pets, and everyone else in the household. 

Colonial Generators cares greatly about the wellbeing of you and yours, and we’re there when you need us — even before you think you do. Today, we’ll explore the role of a backup generator and steps you can take in determining which size unit is ideal for your residence and your family’s needs.

The Importance of Home Backup Generators

Backup generators protect homes and families by supplying power that keeps the lights on, the heating or cooling system running, and items in the refrigerator and freezer safe from spoilage. They also provide backup power for sump pumps, medical equipment, lights, appliances, and other cornerstones of technological must-haves and modern-day convenience.

While the idea of a backup generator’s utility is paramount in the event of a short or long-term power outage, it demands more than a one-size-fits-all solution to deliver on efficiency and reliability. Too small a unit may not handle central AC or keep pumps running that ensure the basement’s dry; too large a unit is inefficient, wastes fuel, and costs you more.

Relying on dependable backup generator installation services is recommended in ensuring you have the ideal unit ready to go when you need it most. Here’s what you need to know about choosing the right home backup generator size:

How Do I Determine the Right Backup Generator Size for My Home?

Several things factor into determining the best backup generator size for your home. Here’s how to get started discovering what’s right for you:

Consider Frequency of Power Outages

Do you live in an area prone to extreme weather events, such as blizzards or hurricanes? If so, you’ll want a generator that can power your entire home for several days. You may opt for a home standby generator that can easily power your HVAC system in that case. If you experience less frequent power outages, a portable generator or otherwise less powerful unit will suffice.

Take an Inventory of Devices You Want to Run

Take stock of the household appliances you need during the power outage. If you only need enough to charge cell phones or keep the WiFi going, your home won’t need a large generator. On the other hand, if you plan to have large medical equipment or washers and dryers still operating, a standby or large inverter generator will be needed to keep everything running smoothly.

Calculate Total Wattage

By adding up the wattage of what you’re looking to power in your house during an outage, you can determine what size generator is optimal. For each item on your list, jot down the power requirement in watts. Keep in mind that conversions in methods of power stated, while largely straightforward, may be necessary.

Air conditioners, refrigerators, and similar appliances may draw more wattage than the display panel number. If you are unsure of wattage from more substantial or hardwired appliances, reach out to a local electrician.

Life, Uninterrupted: How Colonial Generators Protect Your Power, Property, and Family

Whether you’re looking for backup power strictly for the essentials or a generator system that will leave you and your family without any hiccups when it comes to using your appliances and fixtures during a power outage, it’s imperative to turn to trusted professionals to outfit your home with the right backup generator. With Colonial Generators in your corner, you’ll never need to worry about being left in the dark — or needlessly spending a small fortune doing so — when something goes wrong.

From reviewing several home generator options to yearly maintenance and generator monitoring, you can trust our team to present you a range of solutions that keep you up and running. For additional information about our home generators, brands we work with, and available fuel types, reach out to our team today.