Discover what size generator is needed to run your house
Use our home generator size calculator to estimate what size of generator you'll need to ensure reliable backup power for your home. If you prefer to talk to a knowledgeable local dealer and get a free, no-obligation home assessment, we invite you to request a home generator consultation.
Find the right home generator with our quick and easy calculator tool
Cummins manufactures high-quality standby generators suitable for homes and small businesses and provide dependable backup power across a range of applications. Use our generator size calculator to plan for your specific needs and prevent inadequate power during emergencies. Factors to consider when calculating include:
- Home Square Footage
- Home Essential Units (Heating, Cooling, Garage, Pumps)
- Family Essential Units (Kitchen Appliances, Laundry Appliances)
- Added luxuries (Hot Tub, Pool, Sauna)
After completing the calculator, you’ll receive custom information about your recommended whole house generator, estimated installation cost, financing options, and how to connect with your local dealer. Not ready to calculate? Find a Cummins home generator dealer in your area who can help with your sizing and installation questions.
Why calculate your house generator power before purchasing?
Selecting the right generator is vital. It ensures your electricity needs are met and avoids problems. It's important to pick a generator with extra power to prevent issues. Having an excess power reserve wards off operational disruptions, guaranteeing seamless functionality for all electrical appliances. This way, you can keep everything running smoothly, even during emergencies.
Avoid power failure
Selecting the right size generator is important. Choose too small of a generator, and you won’t be able to power all your home’s circuits resulting in power failure. Choose too large of a generator, and it’ll be inefficient and not cost-effective, consuming more natural gas or propane than necessary during a power outage.
Prevent safety hazards
It is also important to consider how long an outage in your area could be. To prepare your generator for longer run times, schedule preventative maintenance visits and adhere to the manufacturers guidelines to avoid short circuiting and fires.
Maintain comfort
Long-term power outages can be both inconvenient and expensive, disrupting your family’s comfort and safety. If you work from home or have a home business, in addition to any physical damages, you may have to endure the cost of lost work, productivity or wages. Enjoy the benefits to peace of mind, safety, and comfort when having an emergency standby generator.
When it comes to purchasing a generator, you have two primary options. You can opt to buy through a trusted local dealer, benefiting from their expertise and support, or you can choose to shop online and hire your own installation expert. Deciding which route to take depends on your preferences and specific needs, ensuring you find the perfect generator solution for your requirements.
Severe storms can cause short-term or long-term power outages, but finding peace of mind doesn’t have to be a headache. Cummins QuietConnect™ home standby generators are safe, permanent and convenient backup solutions for your entire house.
The cost of running a whole house generator depends on the size of your generator, the load the generator is running and the local cost of propane or natural gas.
Locate a Cummins dealer to help with home generator sizing
Our dealers are just as reliable as our product. Authorized Cummins Dealers have in-depth product knowledge, all the required professional licenses, and meet our rigorous standards for installations, warranty repairs and a full range of services. One will work with you throughout the purchase, installation and ownership of your generator.
Talk to an approved Cummins dealer and learn how Cummins can give you peace of mind. Please ask your nearest dealer if they offer special financing on a home or portable generator.
Home Generator Sizing FAQs
When it comes to understanding whole-home generator sizing, one important rule to keep in mind is that the generator needs to be able to power everything requiring electricity, but it also needs to have additional capacity to account for various appliances’ starting wattage. Otherwise, you might find yourself in a situation where your generator simply won’t cut it. Check out a basic framework for calculating your power needs. While getting the right size and type of generator that fits your budget is important, it’s also important to consider how you intend to use the generator. In addition to the generator size calculator, our online buyer’s guide to home generators is a great starting point for exploring your options.
Any of our permanently installed whole-house generators are capable of running AC. When determining the right size generator for you, you must take into consideration the essential items in your home that require electricity during a power outage. First, create a list of everything that would need to be powered by the generator in case of an emergency. Add together each item’s running watts. Then, to roughly account for starting wattage, add the single-highest starting watts figure to the total. Multiply that figure by at least 1.25. The resulting number is the minimum generator capacity you should consider. You can also use our home generator sizing calculator to estimate your power needs or consult with one of our authorized dealers.
First, create a list of everything in your home or small business that would need to be powered by the generator in case of an emergency. This should include anything that requires electricity and isn’t something you would want to go without should you lose power. It’s important to not only consider running wattage, but starting wattage as well—since most appliances will require a few seconds’ worth of extra wattage to get started. There are several online sources for determining appliances’ wattage requirements. Check out a basic framework for calculating your power needs. You can also use our home generator sizing calculator to estimate your power needs or consult with one of our authorized dealers.
A home refrigerator's power consumption is typically between 300 to 800 watts of electricity. To understand what size generator you need, it is important to determine what essential items you will need powered in case of emergency. In addition to the generator size calculator, our online buyer’s guide to home generators is a great starting point for exploring your options. Cummins offers three main types of standby generators suited for a home or small business:
- Permanently-installed 13-20 kW air-cooled home standby generators that can be powered up when needed.
- Permanently-installed 25-150 kW liquid-cooled home standby generators that can be powered up when needed.
- Heavy-duty, gasoline- or propane-powered 9,500-watt dual fuel portable generators that can provide backup power for a home or small business.
