About Generators > Using Generators > Selecting a Generator

You can not run your entire home with a portable generator. A typical home supplied with 200-amp electric service can support approximately 45,000 watts (45kW) of electric demand.

By way of comparison, portable generators are marketed in sizes ranging from a few hundred watts to 15,000 watts (15kW). Generators smaller then 4,000 watts are, in most instances, ill-suited for powering a home during a power outage as they can not start motors on devices like well pumps and the air handler on a central heating system. At the other end of the spectrum, 10,000 to 15,000 watt portable generators, are more expensive, difficult to move, noisy, and consume large quantities of fuel. In most instances, you can not run you home's central air conditioning system or electric heat pump even with a 15,000 watt portable generator. [ Next ]