How to Correctly Size Your Generator | Step-by-Step Guide

02, Dec. 2024

 

How to Correctly Size Your Generator | Step-by-Step Guide

Once you know the estimated wattage needed, the generator size is easier to choose. Whatever number you come up with, choose a generator with a capacity that's 10-20% larger than your requirement. This will give you some leeway when and if you update your equipment and end up needing more power as a result. It also helps you manage 'de-rating,' or under performance of the generator compared to its manufacturer-claimed abilities due to adverse operating conditions, such as extreme temperatures or high altitudes.

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Buying a Single Generator vs. Paralleling

If your power needs are large enough, you may wonder whether it's better to go with a single, huge diesel generator, or split the burden between two or more smaller generators. For example, instead of a kW generator, you could install three 400kW generators. This is called paralleling, and it can be a great option in the right circumstances. Here's why:

 

#1. Greater flexibility. It's very likely the reason you're buying a generator at all is the additional reliability, a hedge against an interrupted power supply causing a slowdown or halt to your business's operations. With multiple generators, you don't have to worry if one has to be shut down for maintenance. You simply shift the burden to the others and keep right on working. 

With just one generator, if it has to stop, so do you. 

 

#2. Can be more cost-effective. Obviously the economics will vary widely depending on brands, new vs. used generators, prices in your geographic location, etc. But all things being equal, once you breach a certain generator size, it becomes more economical to parallel than use a single unit. Specifically, once you go over the sizes of gas or diesel engines mass-produced for use in cars, as well, those engines are harder to come by and are thus more expensive. And the engine comprises more than half the cost of a generator. 

The threshold for diesel engines is 600kW and for gas engines it's 150kW. 

 

#3. Can be more practical. Depending on your physical space, it may be easier to fit two or three parallel generators into a room than one oversized unit. Among large commercial generators, smaller capacities can mean the difference in 25 or more square feet per unit. 

 

#4. Easier on the generators. Load sharing among two or more generators can extend the life of each generator and avoid the risk of overburdening a single unit. For continuous usage, loads up to 80% generator capacity are ideal.

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Generator Sizing and Fuel Consumption

In the same way a -level truck uses more fuel than a , larger generators consume fuel faster than smaller units. This is important to remember when 'running the numbers' on what a new or used generator may cost. Not only do you have to refuel larger generators more often, it may be necessary to store extra fuel on-site, precipitating the need for additional storage tanks.  

For this reason, when it comes to residential generators, Consumer Reports recommends getting the smallest portable or home standby generator that meets your needs to limit the amount of fuel you have to store to run it. 

For industrial-strength generators, consult our approximate diesel fuel consumption chart to estimate how much fuel you'll burn in a particular generator size operated at either a quarter-, half-, three-quarter, or full load. 

 

Why It's Crucial to Choose the Right Generator Size

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It may be tempting to skimp on the size of your generator, especially when doing so might save you a couple thousand dollars. However, selecting a generator that's too small for your applications is a recipe for disaster. Not only can you damage the appliances and devices pulling power from the generator, you can harm the generator itself.

Here are some more benefits of erring on the side of a generator that's too powerful, as opposed to too weak:

  • Increased usable life of the generator

  • Consistent production performance

  • Limited incidence of capacity overloads

  • Limited incidence of unexpected system failures

  • Reduced likelihood of asset damage

  • Increased personnel safety

  • Decreased risk of overheating and electrical fires

  • Reduction in frequency and cost of maintenance

  • Increased ease and speed of maintenance

 

Choosing the Right Size Generator

What Generator Size Will Work Best for Your Home?

If you're wondering 'how big of a generator do I need?' what you really want to know is how much total wattage you need for a generator to power a home. To determine the best generators for home use, refer to the list and select which appliances and systems you want to power. For an exact wattage number, consult your appliance and systems manuals.

Remember that if an appliance has a motor, you will need to calculate the total wattage using the formula:

Running wattage (R) + Starting wattage (R x 3) = Total wattage needed 

With this formula, you can figure out the approximate total wattage needs for each appliance with a motor. Items like light bulbs and coffeemakers, however, don't need an extra boost of power when they're turned on. For these items, you only need to be concerned about the running wattage. 

Once you have those, a list of items you want to power and the wattages they need, add the numbers together to figure out what size generator would be right for you. The more appliances you want to use, the bigger generator you will need.  

Below is a list of approximate running wattage for various household appliances and technology:

  • Refrigerator/Freezer: 600 - 800
  • Electric Range (one element):
  • Toaster: -
  • Microwave:
  • Hot Plate:
  • Coffeemaker: 400 - 800
  • Electric Oven:
  • Television: 100 - 350
  • Personal Computer: 500 -
  • Hair Dryer: -
  • Vacuum: 700 -
  • Space Heater:
  • Table Lamp: 150

Below is a list of approximate HVAC and system wattage needs:

  • Electric Furnace: -
  • Heater (radiant):
  • Central Air Conditioning: -
  • Water Heater: -
  • Water Pump: -
  • Window Air Conditioner: 600 -
  • Outdoor Lighting: 500 -
  • Sump Pump:

Note: The power requirements in this guide are general examples and should not be used to calculate specific requirements. Refer to the user manuals that came with your appliances and tools for manufacturer-provided power requirements.

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