Get matched with top energy efficiency auditors in Steuben, NY

If you have central air conditioning, it’s fine to run your AC all day if that’s what you want—as long as the AC unit is in good condition. But if your AC runs constantly when you don’t want it to, there may be a problem with your system (like the ones we’ve mentioned above). Window AC units and wall air conditioners aren’t as powerful as central AC, so you should only run those kinds of air conditioners for eight to 12 hours at a time.

When combined with a substantial solar system, if you have enough Powerwalls, you could go off-grid and be energy independent. But remember, you'd need enough Powerwalls to power your whole home continuously because a single Powerwall can’t power large appliances for extended periods. One Powerwall is able to power an average-sized home's emergency circuits, lights, and outlets. To power large appliances, you likely need two or three Powerwalls.

Depending on the level of audit you choose, a home energy audit will at least include a walk-through of the home to determine visible inefficiencies, but may include testing and a highly detailed inspection and report laying out the home’s inefficiencies and providing recommendations to fix those issues. The audit may also include a review of utility bills and mechanical testing. Consult your home energy auditor about the types of services they provide before hiring.

To determine the right size generator for your house, you should calculate the total wattage of the appliances and devices you want to power during an outage. List all essential items, note their start-up wattages, and add them together.

Here are some typical wattage requirements for common appliances:

• Refrigerator: 600 watts

• Large dehumidifier: 700 watts

• Large window air conditioner: 1,400 watts

• Water heater: 3,000 to 4,500 watts

• Electric furnace: 5,000 to 25,000 watts

A 7,500-watt generator might be sufficient for essentials like a refrigerator, freezer, well pump, and lighting circuits. However, for high-demand items like a water heater or furnace, a whole-home generator is a better choice. A portable generator may be enough if you only need to power a few critical items.

While home square footage can offer a rough estimate, it is not always a reliable indicator. For reference, here are some typical generator sizes based on square footage:

• 1,000 sq ft: 6–9 kW

• 1,500 sq ft: 7–10 kW

• 2,000 sq ft: 10–14 kW

• 2,500 sq ft: 12–16 kW

• 3,000 sq ft: 16–20 kW+

For the most accurate sizing, consult a professional who can calculate your home's peak and average power consumption and recommend the optimal generator.