Appliance Load Planner for Generators | GeneratorCalc
Roughly add up appliance wattage to plan generator size and understand what you can run at once.
A practical guide to choosing the right generator size for your home based on what you want to power during an outage.
Browse all of the generator sizing, placement, fuel and safety guides available on GeneratorCalc. Use these articles alongside the calculators to plan safe, reliable backup power for your home, RV or projects.
Roughly add up appliance wattage to plan generator size and understand what you can run at once.
Learn realistic, safe backup power options for apartments and condos, with a focus on indoor-safe battery power stations.
Learn when generators can be hard on electronics and ways to reduce the risk of damaging appliances.
Learn the risks of running a generator in the rain and safer ways to protect your equipment while maintaining ventilation.
Plan how much fuel to store for generator use and review basic gasoline and propane storage practices.
Quickly estimate generator size with a wattage chart for common appliances and household loads.
See how long different generator sizes typically run on 5 gallons of gasoline at light, medium, and heavy loads.
Estimate how long a generator can run on propane for common cylinder and tank sizes, plus a simple runtime formula.
Understand typical generator noise levels in decibels, how distance affects sound, and what to consider for neighbors and campgrounds.
Learn safe ways to connect a generator to your home, including transfer switches, interlocks, and extension cord setups.
Compare portable and standby generators, including pros, cons, costs, and which makes sense for your situation.
See what a 3,500-watt generator can typically run, with example load plans for outages, RV use, and basic home backup.
See what a 5000W generator can realistically run at home, with example load plans and typical wattage for common appliances.
Find basic guidelines for choosing the right extension cord gauge and type when using a portable generator.
A practical guide to choosing the right generator size for your home based on what you want to power during an outage.
Learn what size generator you need for RV and camping trips, with common wattage ranges and planning tips.
Learn safe generator placement basics, including distance from the house, ventilation, and surface considerations.
Get a big-picture look at whole-home generator sizing, typical kW ranges, and how installers size systems.