You can decide the size of the generator based on your power requirements. Consider whether you want to operate all the circuits in your home or just a few emergency circuits. Common appliances you’ll want to consider include refrigerators, lighting fixtures, washing machines, heating or cooling appliances, stovetops and ovens, and anything else you might use regularly or need in an emergency.

Refrigerator (700W) 5-10 lighting fixtures (250W) Laptop (200W) Smartphone charger (20W) Television (150W) Air conditioning unit (1,000W) Furnace (800W) Dishwasher (1,500W) Burner on electric stove (2,000W)[3] X Trustworthy Source Consumer Reports Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source Oven (2,400W) Microwave (1,200W) Toaster (1,200W) WiFi Router (6W) Hair Dryer (1,500W)[4] X Research source Sump pump (1,300-2,150W) [5] X Research source If the wattage of the appliance is not listed, you can estimate it by multiplying the listed voltage (V) use by the listed amps (A). Smaller appliances in the United States typically use 120 volts, and larger appliances like stoves and washers, use 240 volts. [6] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Department of Energy Official site for the U. S. Department of Energy, which provides resources related to energy safety, conservation, and efficiency Go to source

Alternatively, surge wattage is usually 2-3 times the running wattage, so multiply the item’s running wattage by 3, just to be safe. [8] X Research source

Generators will often describe their “continuous power rating,” which is how much power the generator can sustain. [10] X Research source This value should correspond to your running wattage. If you’re planning to run a number of high-energy appliances, the running wattage may be higher than the surge wattage you’ve calculated. This is because while you may run many appliances at once, you typically won’t be turning them all on at the same time. Purchase a generator with slightly more capacity than you think you’ll need, so that you’ll always have power when you need it.

They’re often the most affordable option, starting at around $700. [12] X Research source

These also start at around $700, but can go as high as $2,300, based on size. [14] X Research source

Standby generators are often between $4,000 and $6,000, plus the cost of professional installation. [17] X Research source Think whether you want the generator to come on automatically (natural gas or propane) or have a manual hook-up (portable gas generator).

Also use a portable carbon monoxide detector to help detect the presence of carbon monoxide, for added safety. [19] X Research source

Powering your home by plugging the generator directly into a wall socket is known as “backfeeding” and is a safety hazard for yourself, your neighbors, and electricians because it can cause electrocution. [22] X Research source In addition, backfeeding is illegal in many areas. [23] X Research source