Who know what best GENERATOR to use???

Question

I have plans in purchasing a generator for our home... who knows the capacity of a 6,000 kilowatts or 10,000 kilowatts generator?

I have one A/C - around 5000 to 9000 BTU, one small ref., one 24" TV, two electric fans, and some lights (if the electricity is off at night).

Which better for my home, 6000 or 10,000 KW?

Serious answers pls.... thanks

Answer 1

The average demand of the appliances and lights you listed is somewhere around 4000 watts.  That is 4 KW.  About 25 amps if the AC is 220v.  Is that all you really plan to use?  No hot water heater, electric range, toaster or coffee maker?

If so do why you need 6000 or 10000 KW?

Answer 2

Getting a generator is a good idea as it seems as though there are more outages and brownouts each year.

A generator  is designed to operate for only relatively short periods during power outages. Also electric generation costs from a standby generator are greater than your electric rate.

No matter what size (generation capacity in kw - kilowatts) whole-house generator you select, it is best to also install an automatic transfer switch. This control switch senses when the utility's electric power stops or the voltage is too low during a brownout (often on a hot summer afternoon).

When the ATS kicks in, it temporarily disconnects your house from the utility grid and starts the generator. This can take a short period to be up to full power. Without an ATS, you would have to do this manually or the utility lineman may get shocked from your generator.

That being said,

To select an engine-driven generator, you’ll need to determine the

power (kilowatt) requirements which must be met under operating

conditions.

Undersizing the generator can be avoided by considering all of the

loads that will be connected to the generator, and by determining the

starting requirements (motor start) of electric motor-operated devices.

Be sure the generator you select is large enough to handle your

present requirements and anticipated needs.

To determine the right size generator, add up the total watts of all

lights, appliances, tools, or other equipment to be connected to the

generator.

Check the nameplates to determine wattage. If wattage is not shown,

but amps and volts are given, the following simplified formula may

be used:

Amps x Volts = Watts

(Ex. 12.5 amps x 120 volts = 1,500 watts)

To determine kilowatts (kW), use the following formula:

1,000 Watts = 1 Kilowatt

(Ex. 1,500 Watts/1,000 = 1.5 kW)

Here are some common household wattages:

Equipment Wattage

Air conditioner (10,000 BTU) 2,000–3,000

Blanket, electric 150

Broiler 1,400

Clothes dryer, electric 5,000–10,000

Coffee maker 850

Dishwasher 1,500–2,500

Fan, attic 375

Fan, furnace 800–1,200

Fan, window 200

Freezer, food 300–500

Heater, radiant 1,300

Hot plate 1,250

Refrigerator/freezer 600–2,000

Sump pump 400–3,000

Toaster 1,100–1,700

TV, color 100–350

Water heater 3,000–4,500

Water pump 1,000–3,000

Add up all of your electrical Wattage needs using the above formula to determine your best KW choice

Answer 3

If you live in an area with natural gas, start with them.   They have great systems that work from a batter start up and then runs off of natural gas or lp.  Will automatically kick on when power goes down.  I know from experience.  good luck.