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Generator Wattage Chart & Sizing Guide

Are you searching for the wattage needs of your electrical appliances to help you determine the power requirements of your generator?

Look no further! Our team has compiled the most comprehensive list of RV, camping, and household appliance wattage requirements available.

We’ve helped over 600,000 people find the information they need about generators and we’re here to help you too. Please note that these are rough estimates and it’s important to check the info-tag on your specific products to get the actual numbers.

Our data is sourced from reputable government websites, popular generator manufacturers such as Honda, Generac or Yamaha and merchants like Lowe’s, Sears and Home Depot. We add new appliances and update the numbers regularly to make this the most comprehensive resource out there.

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Household Appliances
RV & Camping Appliances
Contractors & Power Tools

#1. Home Electric Appliances

Essential Appliances

Estimated wattage
Household Appliances Rated (Running) Watts Additional Surge Watts
Evaporative AC 2,600 W 0 W
Heat Pump 4,700 W 4,500 W
Humidifier (13 Gal.) 175 W 0 W
Electric Water Heater 4,000 W 0 W
Well Water Pump (1/2 HP) 1,000 W 2,100 W
Window AC (10,000 BTU) 1,200 W 3,600 W
Window AC (12,000 BTU) 3,250 W 9,750 W
Central AC (10,000 BTU) 1,500 W 4,500 W
Central AC (24,000 BTU) 3,800 W 11,400 W
Sump Pump (1/3 HP) 800 W 1,300 W
Sump Pump (1/2 HP) 1,050 W 2,150 W
Furnace Fan Blower (1/3 HP) 700 W 1,400 W
Furnace Fan Blower (1/2 HP) 800 W 2,350 W
Garage Door Opener (1/2 HP) 875 W 2,350 W
Light Bulb (Common) 75 W 0 W
Space Heater 1,800 W 0 W
Ceiling Fan 60 W 70 W
Dehumidifier 240 W 0 W
Tube Light (1500mm) 22 W 0 W
Night Light 1 W 0 W
Electric Heater (Fan) 2,000 W 1,000 W
Electric Thermal Radiator 500 W 0 W
Light Bulb (LED) 9 W 0 W
Electric Water Heater (Tankless) 6,600 W 2,200 W
Electric Water Heater (Immersion) 3,000 W 0 W
Oversink Water Heater (Hand Wash) 3,000 W 0 W
Central AC (40,000 BTU) 6,000 W 6,700 W

Kitchen Appliances

Estimated wattage
Household Appliances Rated (Running) Watts Additional Surge Watts
Toaster 850 W 0 W
Microwave 1,000 W 0 W
Refrigerator / Freezer 700 W 2,200 W
Coffee Maker 1,000 W 0 W
Electric Stove (8" Element) 2,100 W 0 W
Wine Cooler (18 Bottles) 83 W 0 W
Deep Freezer 500 W 1,500 W
Electric Can Opener 170 W 0 W
Dishwasher 1,500 W 1,500 W
Food Processor/Blender 400 W 0 W
Electric Kettle 1,200 W 3,000 W
Food Dehydrator 800 W 0 W
Fryer 1,000 W 0 W
Pressure Cooker 700 W 0 W
Rice Cooker 200 W 500 W
Slow Cooker 160 W 20 W
Steriliser 650 W 0 W
Water Dispenser 100 W 0 W
Sandwich Maker 700 W 300 W
Percolator 800 W 300 W
Electric Oven 2,150 W 0 W
Espresso Coffee Machine 1,300 W 200 W
Induction Hob (Per Hob) 1,400 W 400 W
Cooker Hood 20 W 10 W
Air Fryer 1,500 W 0 W
Water Filter & Cooler 70 W 30 W
Hot Water Dispenser 1,200 W 100 W
Side-by-Side Fridge 800 W 1,200 W
Modern Fridge (2001-2020) 400 W 600 W
Smart Fridge 500 W 750 W

Laundry Appliances

Estimated wattage
Household Appliances Rated (Running) Watts Additional Surge Watts
Clothes Dryer (Gas) 700 W 1,800 W
Clothes Dryer (Electric) 5,400 W 6,750 W
Hair Dryer 1,250 W 0 W
Iron 1,200 W 0 W
Washing Machine 1,150 W 2,250 W
Curling Iron 1,500 W 0 W
Electric Shaver 15 W 20 W
Vacuum Cleaner 200 W 200 W
Bathroom Towel Heater 60 W 90 W
Extractor Fan 12 W 0 W
Electric Shaver 15 W 5 W
Heated Bathroom Mirror 50 W 50 W
Steam Iron 2,200 W 300 W
Straightening Iron 75 W 300 W
Power Shower 7,500 W 10,500 W

Entertainment Appliances

Estimated wattage
Household Appliances Rated (Running) Watts Additional Surge Watts
Laptop 50 W 0 W
Stereo 450 W 0 W
Television (22" LED) 17 W 0 W
Television (49" LED) 85 W 0 W
Television (82" LED) 230 W 65 W
Television (CRT) 500 W 0 W
VCR / DVD Player 100 W 0 W
Video Game System 40 W 0 W
Monitor 200 - 250 W 0 W
Home Internet Router 5 W 15 W
Home Phone 3 W 5 W
Playstation 4 85 W 5 W
Nintendo Switch AC Adapter 7 W 33 W
Amazon Echo 3 W 0 W
Amazon Echo Show 2 W 2 W
Apple TV 3 W 3 W
Computer Monitor 25 W 5 W
Desktop Computer 100 W 350 W
Xbox One 50 W 60 W
Mi Box 5 W 2 W
Set Top Box 27 W 3 W
Home Sound System 95 W 0 W
Guitar Amplifier 20 W 10 W
AV Receiver 450 W 0 W

Other Appliances

Estimated wattage
Household Appliances Rated (Running) Watts Additional Surge Watts
Clock Radio 50 - 200 W 0 W
Fax 60 - 80 W 0 W
Printer (Laser) 600 W 200 W
Printer (Inkjet) 20 W 10 W
Security System 500 W 0 W
Garage Door Opener (1/2 HP) 875 W 2,350 W
Copy Machine 1,600 W 0 W
Cell Phone Battery Charger 25 W 0 W
Outdoor Light String 250 W 0 W
Electric Mower 1,500 W 0 W
Paper Shredder 200 W 220 W
Projector 220 W 270 W
Scanner 10 W 18 W
Electric Trimmer 300 W 500 W
Treadmill 280 W 900 W
Tablet Charger 10 W 5 W
Sewing Machine 70 W 10 W
Air Purifier 25 W 5 W
DAB Mains Radio 5 W 4 W
EV Home Charger 1,600 W 1,800 W
Electric Blanket 200 W 0 W
Electric Doorbell Transformer 2 W 0 W
Water Feature 35 W 0 W
Fan (Pedestal) 50 W 10 W
Fan (Table) 10 W 15 W
Fan (Wall) 45 W 15 W
2-Way Radio (12A) 360 W 0 W
2-Way Radio (23A) 840 W 0 W
2-Way Radio (35A) 960 W 0 W

#2. RV & Camping Appliances

Essential Appliances

Estimated wattage
Camping / RV Appliance Rated (Running) Watts Additional Surge Watts
Space Heater 1,800 W 1,800 W
4 Light Bulbs (75W) 300 W 300 W
Heating Pad 250 W 250 W
RV Roof-Top AC (13,500 BTU) 1,500 W 1,000 W
RV Roof-Top AC (15,000 BTU) 2,000 W 1,300 W
RV Roof-Top AC (11,000 BTU) 1,010 W 590 W
Furnace Fan (1/3 HP) 700 W 1,400 W
Electric Blanket 80 W 1,250 W
Fan 200 W 200 W
Electric Water Heater (6 Gal.) 1,440 W 1,440 W
Dehumidifier 785 W 1250 W

Washing Appliances

Estimated wattage
Camping / RV Appliance Rated (Running) Watts Additional Surge Watts
Vacuum 1,100 W 1,100 W
Curling Iron 800 W 800 W
Shaver 35 W 35 W
Blow Drier (Hair) 1,250 W 1,250 W
Iron 1,200 W 1,200 W
Clothes Washer 1,150 W 2,300 W

Kitchen Appliances

Estimated wattage
Camping / RV Appliance Rated (Running) Watts Additional Surge Watts
Electric Can Opener 170 W 0 W
Hot Plate 1,200 W 1,725 W
Waffle Iron 1,200 W 1,725 W
Electric Grill 1,650 W 1,650 W
Deep Fryer 1,200 W 1,200 W
Chest Freezer 450 W 900 W
Slow Cooker 170 W 270 W
Toaster 850 - 1,250 W 850 - 1,250 W
Toaster Oven 1,200 W 1,200 W
Dorm Size Refrigerator 350 W 500 W
Microwave (635W Cooking Power) 635 W 800 W
Electric Fry Pan 1,200 W 1,200 W
Coffee Maker 800 W 800 W
Corn Popper 275 W 275 W
Crockpot 250 W 250 W
Blender 350 W 500 W

Entertainment Appliances

Estimated wattage
Camping / RV Appliance Rated (Running) Watts Additional Surge Watts
AM/FM Cassette 10 W 10 W
Stereo 450 W 450 W
VCR 100 W 100 W
Satellite Dish & Receiver 30 W 250 W
Radio 2-Way 360 W 960 W
27" Color TV 500 W 500 W
19" Color TV 160 W 160 W
12" B&W TV 30 W 30 W
Desktop Computer 600 W 800 W
Laptop 50 W 0 W
Printer 500 W 500 W
CD/DVD Player 50 W 200 W
Clock Radio 100 W 100 W

Other Appliances

Estimated wattage
Camping / RV Appliance Rated (Running) Watts Additional Surge Watts
Battery Charger (Cell Phone) 25 W 0 W
Inflator Pump 50 W 150 W

#3. Contractors Appliances

power tools & machines

Estimated wattage
Power tools Rated (Running) Watts Additional Surge Watts
Table Saw (10") 1,800 W 2,700 W
Drain Cleaner 250 W 0 W
Concrete Vibrator (2.00 HP) 1,800 W 3,600 W
Concrete Vibrator (1.00 HP) 1,100 W 2,500 W
Concrete Vibrator (0.75 HP) 850 W 1,900 W
Radial Arm Saw 2,000 W 2,000 W
Circular Saw (7.25") 1,400 W 4,200 W
Air Compressor (0.25 HP) 975 W 1,600 W
Air Compressor (0.50 HP) 1,000 W 2,000 W
Air Compressor (1.50 HP) 2,200 W 6,000 W
Air Compressor (2.00 HP) 2,800 W 7,700 W
Air Compressor (1.00 HP) 1,600 W 4,500 W
Miter Saw (10") 1,800 W 1,800 W
Reciprocating Saw 960 W 960 W
Electric Drill 600 W 900 W
Belt Sander 1,200 W 2,400 W
Bench Grinder 1,400 W 2,500 W
Chain Saw 12” (1.5 HP) 900 W 0 W
Jig Saw 300 W 300 W
High-Pressure Washer (1.00 HP) 1,200 W 3,600 W
Rebar Cutter (1") 2,800 W 0 W
Disk Sander (9") 1,200 W 2,600 W
Orbital Sander 1,200 W 2,600 W
Impact Wrench (1") 1,200 W 1,400 W
Charger (Cordless Drill) 70 W 80 W
Airless Sprayer (0.33 HP) 600 W 1,200 W
Hammer Drill 1,000 W 3,000 W
Welder (Electric) 7,800 W 0 W
Jointer/Planer 1,800 W 1,800 W

Essential Equipment

Estimated wattage
Power tools Rated (Running) Watts Additional Surge Watts
Floodlight 1,000 W 0 W
Heater (Liquid Fuel 50,000 BTU) 225 W 675 W
Heater (Liquid Fuel 100,000 BTU) 420 W 1,260 W
Heater (Liquid Fuel 150,000 BTU) 625 W 1,875 W
Sump Pump (1 HP / 230 V) 715 W 7,200 W
Sump Pump (1 HP / 115 V) 1,440 W 7,500 W
Quartz Halogen Work Light (1000 W) 1,000 W 0 W
Quartz Halogen Work Light (500 W) 500 W 0 W
Quartz Halogen Work Light (300 W) 300 W 0 W

Farm Equipment

Estimated wattage
Power tools Rated (Running) Watts Additional Surge Watts
Electric Fence (25 Miles) 250 W 250 W
Milk Cooler 1,100 W 1,800 W
Milker / Vacuum Pump (2.00 HP) 1,000 W 2,300 W

Gardening Power Tools

Estimated wattage
Power Tools Rated (Running) Watts Additional Surge Watts
Electric Strimmer 300 W 500 W
Electric Mower 1,500 W 0 W
Hedge Trimmer 600 W 450 W
Weed Cutter 600 W 500 W
Chain Saw 12” (1.5 HP) 900 W 0 W
Cultivator (1/3 HP) 700 W 1,400 W
Electric Leaf Blower (Handheld) 2,500 W 0 W

Determining your

wattage requirements

If you want to learn what electronic appliances will your generator run, you need to get ready to do some math. Don’t worry, it will be a very simple process of adding up several numbers.

To determine what appliances you can run on a 4000 watt generator at the same time, you need to follow these steps:

  1. List all electronic appliances in your home you want to keep running in the case you are out of power (here is a great list full of appliances you might use)
  2. Write information from their name tags on required running and starting watts into a table (see examples below)
  3. Then you need to add up all the running watts required to operate your appliances
  4. The next step is to find the item with the highest additional starting watts
  5. Then add this number to your total running watts
  6. The final number represents the amount of starting watts your generator needs to provide

Here is an example of how to calculate the wattage requirements for a generator:

We have decided that in case of a weather-caused blackout, we would need only essentials such as refrigerator with a freezer so our food will be safe, a lamp that will serve as an emergency light source, a small window AC unit to keep the temperature under control, a toaster, and a laptop.

Selected Appliances Rated (Running) Watts Additional Starting Watts
Toaster 850 W 0 W
Refrigerator / Freezer 700 W 2,200 W
Laptop 50 W 0 W
Lamp (2 Lightbulbs) 150 W 0 W
Window AC (10,000 BTU) 1,200 W 3,600 W
TOTAL 2,950 W
6,550 W

As you can see in our example above, if we add up all running watts of our appliances we get the number 2,950 – so we are well within the 4,000 running watts limit (850 + 700 + 50 + 150 + 1,200 = 2,950).

However, we would need a generator that is capable of producing at least 6,550 surge (starting) watts to power all these appliances (2,950 + 3,600 = 6,550).

Just keep in mind that some electric appliances in your home may not have running watts provided on their data tags. If this is the case, you can estimate the running watts required thanks to the following formula:

Watts (W or kW) = Volts (V) x Amps (A)
Amps (A) = Watts (W or kW) / Volts (V)

So, as long as you have required Volts and Amps, you can easily convert them into an estimate of required running watts. Maybe you remember that this equation represents the Ohm’s law from High School physics.

Luckily, there is a device called “appliance load tester” that you can get to determine how many watts each your appliance takes. You can easily get one from Amazon and avoid all that physic´s equation.

You need to check each appliance / power tool in your home individually to see the precise wattage requirements. Feel free to check out the wattage requirements of the most popular household appliances, RV & camping appliances, or power tools for contractors here on Generatorist.

Further resources:

About Generatorist

Matthew Gerther

Founder, Generator enthusiast

Our aim here at the Generatorist is to become the No. 1 resource for all things related to generators & your power needs. We have helped over 600,000 visitors with our tips, articles and reviews and we will help you as well.

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5 thoughts on “Generator Wattage Chart & Sizing Guide”

  3. Bonnie

    It says my appliance is 45 watts. To recharge with my Blueetti, has 500 W capacity, so does it use 45 whites in an hour or all day. Let’s say I run my heater that’s 45 W for an hour. Does it use 45 watts every hour?

    Reply

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