Calculate Your Power Needs

Enter the wattage of each appliance you want to power

Common Appliance Wattage Guide

Know exactly how much power each device uses

🏠

Household Essentials

Appliance Running Watts Starting Watts
💡 LED Light Bulb (each) 10W 10W
💡 Incandescent Bulb (each) 60W 60W
🌀 Ceiling Fan 75W 75W
🌀 Portable Fan 50W 50W
🔌 Phone Charger 10W 10W
💻 Laptop Charger 60W 60W
📡 WiFi Router 15W 15W
🍳

Kitchen Appliances

Appliance Running Watts Starting Watts
🧊 Refrigerator (full-size) 700W 2,100W
🧊 Mini Fridge 100W 200W
❄️ Freezer (chest) 500W 1,500W
🔌 Microwave (1000W) 1,500W 1,500W
☕ Coffee Maker 900W 900W
🍳 Toaster 1,200W 1,200W
🥘 Slow Cooker 250W 250W
🍳 Electric Skillet 1,500W 1,500W
❄️

Climate Control

Appliance Running Watts Starting Watts
🌀 Window AC (10,000 BTU) 1,200W 3,600W
❄️ Central AC (3 ton) 3,500W 10,500W
🔥 Space Heater 1,500W 1,500W
🌀 Portable AC (12,000 BTU) 1,500W 4,500W
🔥 Electric Furnace Fan 500W 1,500W
📺

Entertainment & Electronics

Appliance Running Watts Starting Watts
📺 LED TV (42") 100W 100W
📺 LED TV (55"+) 150W 150W
🎮 Game Console 150W 150W
🔊 Sound Bar 30W 30W
🖥️ Desktop Computer 200W 200W
🖨️ Printer 50W 300W
🚿

Water & Laundry

Appliance Running Watts Starting Watts
🚿 Water Heater (tank) 4,500W 4,500W
🚿 Tankless Water Heater 3,000W 3,000W
👕 Washing Machine 500W 1,500W
🌀 Clothes Dryer (electric) 5,000W 5,000W
🔧

Power Tools

Tool Running Watts Starting Watts
🪚 Circular Saw (7-1/4") 1,400W 3,500W
🔨 Drill (1/2") 500W 1,500W
🔧 Air Compressor (1 HP) 1,500W 4,500W
🪚 Miter Saw (10") 1,500W 3,500W
💡 Work Light (Halogen) 500W 500W
💡 Work Light (LED) 100W 100W
🪛 Impact Wrench 750W 2,000W
🪚 Table Saw (10") 1,800W 4,000W
🚐

RV & Camping

Appliance Running Watts Starting Watts
❄️ RV AC (13,500 BTU) 1,500W 4,500W
🔌 RV Converter/Charger 800W 800W
🧊 RV Refrigerator (propane/electric) 400W 1,200W
🚿 RV Water Pump 50W 50W
🔥 RV Furnace Fan 300W 300W

⚠️ Important Notes

  • Starting Watts are the surge power needed to start motors (refrigerators, ACs, pumps). This lasts only 1-3 seconds.
  • Running Watts are the continuous power needed to keep the appliance running.
  • Your generator must handle the highest starting watts of any single appliance, plus the running watts of everything else.
  • Always add a 20% safety margin to your total calculation.

Quick Power Reference

Light Use
2,000-3,000W
Lights, phone, WiFi
Medium Use
4,000-5,000W
+ Fridge, TV, Coffee
Heavy Use
7,500-10,000W
+ AC, Water Heater
Full Home
10,000W+
Everything running