What Size Generator Do I Need for My House in West Bend, WI?

Despite southeastern Wisconsin's dependable power grid, outages still happen. The risk of an electrical outage increases for households with more electronic appliances than their property can safely handle, so investing in a generator is a great idea.



Yet many exploring generators ask, "What size generator do I need for my house?" But what's the right answer?

Generator services in West Bend, WI, are just one of our specialties at Professional Services. Here, our experts share essential factors and other details you should know to make an informed decision regarding your upcoming generator purchase and installation.

Considerations for Sizing Home Generators in West Bend

Getting a generator for your property in West Bend isn't as simple as purchasing the equipment at a reasonable price. You need to know how much energy your home uses, why you'd need the backup power, and how much electricity you'll need to keep appliances running until the primary power source is operational again.

Here are the primary factors you'll need to size your new generator properly. 

Wattage

When answering "What size generator do I need for my house?" the main thing you need to know is wattage, which corresponds to generator size and electrical capacity. The ideal unit should have enough capacity to meet your energy needs without risking your safety or wasting energy. 

Generator sizes can range from portable to industrial. Before selecting one, you must know your running watts, which refers to how much power you need to power the appliances at your West Bend residence, and the starting or surge watts to handle the few seconds it takes for motor-powered devices to kick on. 

Physical Size of the Generator

You should also consider the generator's physical size. Portable units are easy to move or reposition, store until needed, or take on the road for camping. Standby generators are not portable, so you should have enough space on your property to permanently house them.

Power Needs

Do you want to have backup electricity for your HVAC during a power outage to prevent discomfort? Maybe someone at your West Bend property has medical equipment or other devices that could cause serious problems if they go too long without power. 

Your specific need for an additional power source will influence the generator size that will sustain your home. For instance, portable units might be sufficient for temporarily running a few essential appliances or devices. Yet you'd need equipment with a greater electrical capacity if you want your whole house to have electricity whenever the power goes out.

Generator Type

Size isn't the only thing you should consider when exploring generators for your Wisconsin property. You'll also need to know what kind of generator would work best for your needs. Here are the top options:

• Portable Generators. Portable generators are small, transportable, and affordable, making them ideal for powering small electronic devices. 
• Standby Generators. When people want whole-home generators, they typically mean stationary standby generators. These units can power a whole property during emergencies, but they have a higher upfront cost.
• Inverter Generators. Thanks to cutting-edge technology, this equipment can produce clean energy with quiet operations. 

Common Generator Sizes

Do you want to know "What size generator do I need for my house's appliances?" Here is a deeper breakdown of how different generator types and sizes can handle your property's power demand:

• Portable Units. Portable generators producing under 7kW or kilowatts are good for powering a refrigerator or laptop for short periods. They're best for people who seldom have power outages. 
• Units for Essential Appliances. Generators ranging from 7kW to 11kW are suitable for powering home essentials like freezers, some lighting, and sump pumps, but not the entire property.
• Generators for Essentials and HVAC. If you need supplementary power for home essentials and HVAC, consider 11kW to 15kW generators. 
• Average-Sized Whole-Home Generators. Whole-home generators with up to 24kW can power an average-sized property during a power outage. 
• Large-Sized Whole-Home Generators. Properties with multiple HVAC units, additional buildings, excessive energy consumption, and large whole-home generators exceeding 25kW are best.
  

Turn to Professional Services in West Bend for Your Ideal Generator Installation

Still asking, "What size generator do I need for my house in West Bend?" Thanks to our electrical and HVAC expertise, professional Services is the go-to company to call for help choosing home generator sizes and types. We know how to consider factors like home size, insulation values, and power needs to properly size generators before executing their installations flawlessly. 

If you need backup power for your home in West Bend, Wisconsin, contact Professional Services for a free estimate!