Get matched with top generator install pros in Cottonwood Falls, KS

Generator size requirements vary wildly among properties, but typical generator sizes are listed below based on home square footage:

• 1,000 sq ft: 6–9 kW

• 1,500 sq ft: 7–10 kW

• 2,000 sq ft: 10–14kW

• 2,500 sq ft: 12–16kW

• 3,000 sq ft: 16–20kW+

Unfortunately, home square footage isn’t always a good indicator of generator size requirements. Instead, you should call in a professional to discuss which items in your home you’d like to run via your generator. They can calculate peak and average consumption for those items and then size your generator appropriately for optimal performance.

In some situations, yes. Never try to put biofuel into any home generator without checking the specifics first. If a generator has the ability to run on diesel, it can also run pure biofuel (the clear kind made from seed oils, for example). But if you are using biofuel made from animal fats or vegetable oils, the generator will need significant modifications before it can handle a sludgier type of biofuel.

While the rating will tell you how many watts the refrigerator needs at the peak of its cycle, it requires additional wattage to start. At the bare minimum, you’ll need a 1,500-watt generator to get the fridge up and running after a blackout. A 2,000-watt generator should be sufficient for most home refrigerators.

As long as they have enough fuel, whole-house generators can run for weeks at a time (400 to 500 hours) without suffering too much wear and tear. However, this type of extensive use isn’t ideal if you want to extend the life of your generator.

Two important points. First, some generators may need you to periodically check oil levels every day or so and refill as necessary for safe operation. Second, if your generator uses a fuel tank, keep it regularly full so it doesn’t suddenly shut off. Many backup generators can run through a full tank in a day when they are powering large portions of a home.