What Size Generator Do I Need for My Home in the UK?
A home generator is a solid backup power source, which assures safety and comfort during outages. It can power all your essential appliances and devices, from your fridge to your coffee maker and mobile phones.
So what size generator do I need for my home in the UK? This blog is here to answer the question. You can also find the common generator types, mistakes to avoid for sizing, and the best generator for home settings!
Common Types of Generators
Before answering the question of what size electric generator do I need, let’s have a look at the common types of generators designed for specific applications and functions.
Portable Generators
Portable generators are small and movable devices to provide temporary power for appliances and tools when the main power grid is not available. They are commonly used for outdoor activities, remote settings, and construction sites.
Standby/Home Backup Generators
Standby generators are permanently installed backup systems commonly used in homes. They’re typically connected to a natural gas or propane supply and operate through an automatic transfer switch. When a power outage occurs, the generator automatically turns on, providing a seamless transition to backup power. Designed to run for long periods, standby generators help keep essential appliances and systems running, reducing disruption to daily life during extended outages.
Inverter Generators
Inverter generators are another type of portable generator, which are known for producing clean and stable electricity. They use advanced electronic circuitry to convert AC power to DC and then back to AC, resulting in a consistent power output that closely matches the quality of electricity from your home outlets. These generators are compact, quiet, and fuel-efficient, ideal for outdoor use, especially camping or caravanning.
How to Decide the Right Generator Size for You?
The right size of the generator for your home in the UK is subject to various factors. For instance, the appliances and devices to run during outages, and the total wattage of these key items. Here are the general steps to find out the size of a generator for your UK home.
Step 1: List the Appliances You Want to Power
What size generator do I need? The first thing to do is to list all the appliances you need to power during outages. Some essential items could be: refrigerators, freezers, heating systems, lights, or personal medical devices.
Step 2: Understand Starting vs Running Watts
The next thing to do is to list the wattage for each of the appliances and add them up. It is worth noting to differentiate the starting watts and running watts before you do the math.
Starting watts are the initial power surge to start an appliance, especially for those with motors. They are usually higher than running watts. For instance, a fridge requires a surge of 1200 watts to start and 400 watts for running.
Step 3: Add It All Up
Now it’s time to add the wattages of all the appliances you want to run simultaneously. You can find the information from the stickers on the appliance or from the user manual. Meanwhile, make sure to add the starting watts to the total power requirement.
So what size generator do I need for my house when calculating total wattages during outages? Here’s an example.
Refrigerator: 400 watts (running watts); 1200 watts (starting watts)
Freezer: 300 watts
Lights (6 bulbs for 15 watts each): 90 watts
Laptop: 200 watts
Total required running wattage: 400 + 300 + 90 + 200 = 990 watts
Step 4: Match Your Needs to Generator Output
Now choose a generator with a capacity that matches your needs. Please note that you should add a safety margin to your total wattage. That means you need to choose a capacity that is 20% larger than the required wattage. This spare capacity covers the surges of power to start appliances and provides a buffer for fluctuating loads and future needs.
Based on the math above, your total running wattage is 990 watts, and the highest starting wattage is 1,200 watts. You should add all these together: 990 + 1,200 = 2190 watts. Then give it a 20% safety margin: 2,190 x 1.20 = 2,628 watts. That means you need a generator with a capacity of at least 2,628 watts.
Generator Sizing Mistakes to Avoid
Now you should have the answer with the step-by-step guide above. In addition, here are a few mistakes to avoid when choosing the right size of generator.
Inaccurate Power Needs: Select the wrong size of generator, either too small or too large. An undersized generator is incapable of powering all your appliances, while an oversized generator can be too costly to run.
Ignoring Noise Levels: Generators can be noisy, especially those with larger power outputs. Gas generators tend to be noisy, often exceeding 70 dB, but a solar powered generator operates silently with minimal noise.
Overestimating Efficiency: Assuming a generator based on its maximum efficiency and capacity leads to wrong sizing. Generators often run below the optimum efficiency range, which is a general rule to keep a generator running efficiently for years.
Ignoring Environmental Factor: The location matters. The altitude and temperature of your home can affect performance. It is believed that higher altitudes and extreme temperatures can reduce the power output of a generator.
Meet EcoFlow Solar Generators—A Greener Way to Power Your LifeKeeps Up
As renewable energy becomes more popular, a solar power generator is one of the smartest ways to power your home in the UK. Not sure where to start? The EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max is a great option to consider. With the following highlighted features, the solar generator is a must-have for UK home settings.
High Capacity: With a generous 1- 3 kWh expandable capacity, the solar generator is a great choice for a home backup solution. You can keep your essentials, such as a microwave, a fridge, or even a coffee maker, running for hours in a blackout.
Eco-friendly & Efficient: By pairing with 2 x 220W solar panels, the solar generator can charge in as fast as 2.9 hr. You can quickly replenish the battery, making it more efficient for everyday use.
Compact & Portable: With a compact and lightweight design, the portable generator is easy to move around the home. You can also take it on the trip for a more enhanced outdoor experience.
Quiet Operation: EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max works silently, which makes it ideal for residential areas where noise can be an annoying issue.
Conclusion
So, what size generator do I need for my home in the UK? It all comes down to your household's energy needs and knowing how to calculate total wattage accurately. From understanding running and starting watts to avoiding common sizing mistakes, this guide helps you make an informed decision. For those looking to reduce noise, emissions, and energy costs, solar generators offer a cleaner alternative. If you're exploring reliable, eco-friendly options, consider the advanced solar solutions available from EcoFlow.
FAQs
How do I calculate what size generator I need?
As introduced earlier, you will need to list the essential appliances to run during the outages and their running watts. Then add them up to have a total required running watts. After that, add the starting watts into the sum and give a 20% margin to get the size you need.
Is a 5kW generator enough to run a house?
Generally, a 5kW generator should be enough to power certain aspects of a house. But there are things you need to factor in. For instance, your house size, essential appliances to run, total power consumption, surge and running watts, and the type of generator.
What can you run on a 3kW generator?
Generally, a 3kW generator can run devices such as a fridge(100-800w), numerous lights (roughly 15w each), a TV (100-400w), or a microwave(800-1200w). Just make sure their total running wattage stays below 3000 watts if you want to run them simultaneously.
Will a 7kW generator run a house?
Yes. A 7kW generator can run many appliances for home settings. It can power fridges, freezers, lighting, small appliances like a microwave, coffee maker, etc. But if you live in a larger home and hope to run high-wattage appliances simultaneously, a 7kW generator might not be enough.