It’s understandable to feel anxious during hurricane season, especially in southern Alabama! A whole-home generator can help protect your home and grant you peace of mind during severe weather conditions. There are many machinery options to choose from, but specific systems can offer significant benefits to your Daphne household!
Baldwin Heating & Cooling specializes in professional generator installation in Daphne, AL! Our team prioritizes your safety and comfort above all else, especially during harsh weather. We’ve compiled a guide to understanding generator sizing to help you determine which kind is the best for your home.
A Guide To DIY Generator Size Calculation
A professional technician can help you determine which size generator will suit your home. However, you can calculate which size you need on your own. A bit of research and time is all you need to find your perfect emergency power source!
Understand Starting And Running Wattage
Electrical lingo can seem confusing at first glance. There are two wattages you’ll want to know the difference between when calculating the electricity your appliances need. Starting wattage is the electricity necessary for a device to start. Most appliances need higher amounts of watts to power on but use less once they are actively running.
Running wattage is the number of watts a device will need to continuously operate. This number should be lower than the starting amount. You’ll want to add starting watts to your generator total to ensure the machinery can handle powering these devices together.
Determine The Wattage Of Devices You Want To Power
You’ll want to begin the process by listing the appliances you want to power if a blackout occurs. Each device has a specific wattage, which you’ll need to know when choosing a generator. A few household necessities and their approximate running wattages are:
- Refrigerator: 600-800 watts
- Microwave: 800-1200 watts
- Central air conditioner: 2000-4000 watts
- Furnace: 5000-25000 watts
- Washing machine: 400-1200 watts
It’s crucial to note that these are relative estimates. You can determine the specific wattage of your devices by looking at the owner’s manual or contacting their manufacturer. Add all of these numbers together to finalize your calculation. You’ll want to choose a generator that supports a slightly larger wattage than this estimate!
Choosing A Daphne Home Generator
When purchasing a generator, it’s crucial that you choose the proper size for your home. A generator that is too small will overload the machinery and may cause it to overheat. This issue can fry your unit, as well as your home appliances. If a generator is too large, its operational costs will skyrocket.
You’ll want to purchase a generator that does not need to use more than 90% of its capacity. Doing this will prevent the unit from overworking and help it provide adequate power to your household. A professional technician can help you determine what type is the best fit for your home and personal needs.
Contact Baldwin For Professional Generator Installation
When a power outage occurs, a whole-home generator plays a successful role in keeping you comfortable. Baldwin Heating & Cooling strives to bring a convenient fix to your problems, no matter the weather! If you’re interested in a whole-home generator installation, call us today to begin the process!
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