How many watts does it take to power bacic items in an average size house? In a typical home, essential items will average 4000-6000 watts of power to run. What is the difference between rated watts and surge watts? Rated, or running watts, are the continuous watts needed to keep items running. Surge, or starting watts, are extra watts needed for two to three seconds to start motor-driven products like a regfigerator or circular saw. Why is only one additional surge watt item used to calculate your total surge watt requirement? Unlike rated watts, surge watts are only needed during the first few seconds of operation. In most cases, only one item will start or cycle at the same time, therefore this is the most accurate estimate. What if I can't determine the rated or the surge watt requirement for a tool or appliance? If the rated/running watts are not on the tool or appliance, you may estimate using the following equation: WATTS = VOLTS X AMPS. Only motor-driven items will have an additional surge requirement. The additional surge watts required may be estimated at 1 - 2x the rated/running watts. WATTAGE REFERENCE GUIDE HOME Light bulb - 75 watts Deep freezer - 500 running watts & 500 starting watts Sump pump - 800 running watts & 1200 starting watts Refrigerator/Freezer - 800 running watts & 1600 starting watts Water Well Pump 1/3 HP - 1000 running watts & 2000 starting watts HEATING/COOLING Space Heater - 1800 watts Table Fan - 14" - 200 running watts & 400 starting watts Ceiling Fan - 800 running watts & 1200 starting watts Furnace Fan Blower 1/2 HP - 800 running watts & 1300 starting watts Window AC - 10000 BTU - 1200 running watts & 1800 starting watts Window AC - 12000 BTU - 3250 running watts & 3950 starting watts Central AC - 10000 BTU - 1500 running watts & 4500 starting watts Heat Pump - 4700 running watts & 4500 starting watts KITCHEN Microwave Oven - 1000 watts Coffee Maker - 1500 watts Electric Stove - single element - 1500 watts Dishwasher - hot dry - 1500 running watts & 1500 starting watts FAMILY ROOM DVD/CD Player - 100 watts VCR - 100 watts Stereo Receiver - 450 watts Color Television - 27" - 500 watts LAUNDRY ROOM Iron - 1200 watts Washing Machine - 1150 running watts & 2250 starting watts Clothes Dryer - 5400 running watts & 1350 starting watts OFFICE EQUIPMENT Personal computer with 17" monitor - 800 watts Fax maching - 65 watts Laser Printer - 950 watts Inkjet Printer 80 watts Copy Machine - 1600 watts OTHER Security System - 80 watts AM/FM clock radio - 100 watts Garage Door Opener -1/2 HP - 480 running watts & 520 starting watts Hair Dryer - 1250 watts Electric water heater - 40 gallon - 4000 watts DO-IT-YOURSELF JOBSITE Quartz Halogen Work Light - 1000 watts Airless Sprayer - 1/3 HP - 600 running watts & 1200 starting watts Reciprocating saw - 960 watts Electric drill - 1/2 HP - 1000 running watts & 1000 starting watts Circular Saw - 7 1/2 HP - 1500 running watts & 1500 starting watts Miter saw - 10" - 1800 running watts & 1800 starting watts Planer/Jointer - 6" - 1800 running watts & 1800 starting watts Table/radial arm saw 10" - 2000 running watts & 2000 starting watts Air compressor - 1 1/2 HP - 2500 running watts & 2500 starting watts WHEN SELECTING A GENERATOR, THERE ARE SEVERAL IMPORTANT FEATURES TO CONSIDER: Enging life, Run time, Mobility, Noise level, Rated/Surge watts The next step is to make a worksheet. You will have 3 columns: a)Tool or Appliance b)Rated(running) watts c)Additional surge (starting) watts 1) Select the items you wish to power at the same time. Fill in the rated watts and additional surge watt requirements on the "Your Power Needs" worksheet. 2) Add the rated watts. Enter the total in the toatal rated watts box. 3) Select the one individual item with the highest number of additional surge watts. Take this one number, add it to your total rated (running) watts, and enter the total in the Total Surge Watts box. You will then have a total for the total rated (running) watts and a total for the total surge watts.