What Size Generator to Run a House (with Chart)

A generator that can provide between 3000 and 5000 watts would be enough to power essential appliances during power outages or blackouts. However, the exact size depends on the number of appliances you want to run simultaneously and the size of your home.

Sudden power outages due to natural calamities can cause a lot of inconveniences, especially when no power source is available. A solar generator is a highly versatile and convenient power source for homes.

Think of it as a solar power source that can charge all home appliances, from electric kettles to large refrigerators. However, different solar power station sizes are available on the market, making it challenging to make an informed choice.

Before investing money into one, you need to ask yourself, what size generator to run a house? In addition, you need to understand which appliances you need to power daily.

This article will help our readers figure out what solar generator size will suit their power needs, how to calculate it, and which solar power generator they should buy.

Can a Solar Generator Power a House?

Yes, a solar generator can power a house, but the size of the generator will vary depending on the household's energy consumption and the size of the house. A 5000 - 8000-watt generator is enough to power most household needs — AC, water heater, washer/dryer,  lights, and kitchen appliances. 

For a whole house, a generator with a capacity between 15,000 and 20,000 watts is highly recommended, which can typically power most household appliances including lights, refrigerator, freezer, and even a central air conditioner, though the exact size depends on your specific power needs and appliances you want to run simultaneously

What Is a Solar Generator For a House?

 A solar generator for a house is a device that uses solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity and portable power stations to store the generated power. Jackery Solar Generators can power a whole house and combine Jackery Portable Power Stations and Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels. 

When sunlight hits the solar panels, it converts the solar energy into DC electricity. The pure sine wave inverter in the portable power station then converts DC to AC electricity, which is suitable for charging household appliances such as refrigerators, ACs, and lights.

Can a Solar Generator Power a House?

Yes, a solar generator can power a house. However, the capacity of a solar-powered generator will depend on the home size and the number of appliances you charge simultaneously. Here is the breakdown of solar generator size based on house type: 

• Small Apartment/Studio: 3-5 kW 
• Average 2-Bedroom House: 5-7.5 kW 
• Large Family Home: 7.5-10 kW 
• Luxury Home with High Appliance Usage: 10kW+ 

What Size Generator Do I Need For My House?

Determining the right generator size depends heavily on which appliances you need it for. You can use the power generated by the solar generator to recharge different appliances and electronics, which will determine which solar generator you should invest in.

What Size Solar Generator Do I Need: Based on Square Feet

The size of the solar generator you need will depend on your power requirements, including the appliances you want to run. The right solar generator also depends on how many kWh does a house use and the home size, and here is a simple breakdown, indicating how many kW generator is needed to run a house:

• 1000 - 1500 sq ft home: A 5000 - 7500-watt generator is suitable 
• 1500 - 2000 sq ft home: A 7500 - 15,000-watt generator is suitable 
• 2000 - 3000 sq ft home: A 15,000 - 22,000-watt generator is suitable 
• 3000 - 5000 sq ft home: A 22,000 - 32,000 watt generator is suitable 
• Over 5000 sq ft home: A 32,000 - 36,000 watt generator is suitable 

For example, a 7,500-10,000 watts generator is needed for a 1200 sq ft house as it can charge most of the household during long-term power outages. 

What Size Solar Generator Do I Need: Based on Square Feet

The size of the solar generator you need will depend on your power requirements, including the appliances you want to run. The right solar generator also depends on how many kWh does a house use and the home size, and here is a simple breakdown, indicating how many kW generator is needed to run a house:

• 1000 - 1500 sq ft home: A 5000 - 7500-watt generator is suitable
• 1500 - 2000 sq ft home: A 7500 - 15,000-watt generator is suitable
• 2000 - 3000 sq ft home: A 15,000 - 22,000-watt generator is suitable
• 3000 - 5000 sq ft home: A 22,000 - 32,000 watt generator is suitable
• Over 5000 sq ft home: A 32,000 - 36,000 watt generator is suitable

For example, a 7,500-10,000 watts generator is needed for a 1200 sq ft house as it can charge most of the household during long-term power outages.

What Size Solar Generator Do I Need: Based on How Many People Live in 

A typical small household with 2-3 people usually requires a generator of around 5,000 watts. On the other hand, larger families of 5 or more may need a 7,000-10,000-watt generator, depending on the appliances they want to power simultaneously. Here is what size generator is needed based on how many people live in the house: 

         Small household (2-3 people): 5,000 watt generator 

         Medium household (4-5 people): 7,000-watt generator 

         Large household (6+ people): 10,000+ watt generator

What Size Generator Do I Need For My House Chart

The size of the home generator needed depends on the devices you wish to power simultaneously. The chart below can help you estimate your home's energy requirements. 

To calculate the generator size, multiply the device's wattage by the number of hours you want to run it. Then, add up the power consumption of each device in the home that you wish to charge simultaneously. 

Once you have the total, you can divide the sum by 1000 to calculate the kilowatt you need from the generator.

Typically, a 2000W solar generator and above would be sufficient to cater to a typical home's needs. Using solar panels to recharge the power station, you can get renewable solar power for your house.

Jackery Solar Generators to Run a House

Jackery is a leading brand that manufactures portable and highly efficient solar generators, power stations, and solar panels. It offers solar generators in different sizes and capacities to meet the needs of different households. Here are the popular Jackery Solar Generators to help you keep household appliances powered during power outages and blackouts. 

Best Generator For Power Outages: Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro lets you charge 99% of your home appliances, including washing machines, refrigerators, heaters, ACs, etc. It weighs only 63.93 lbs, making it 30% lighter than other similar-capacity products available in the market. If you live in an area prone to power outages and want a lighter yet powerful power solution, Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is ideal.

Customer Review："We live in the mountains of North Carolina. Losing power happens often. Jackery has become our go-to power source. The 3,000 is the best of all. We take them outside monthly and quickly charge one of the Jackery. It's an exercise in ensuring we are both able to keep the power on no matter how long the power is out." — Xskygod.

Best Generator For Homes: Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh) 

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh) is one of the best solar generators for midsize homes. It can charge 99% of home appliances and is built to charge heavy-duty appliances up to 6000W, making it the ultimate power solution for homes. Despite the large battery capacity, the portable power station has double wheels and pull rods to move it from one place to another.

Customer Review:"Purchased for home backup, but I also take these out with me on long camping trips. It will easily power whatever you plug in it, and the 30 amp RV plug is a nice addition. Additional batteries can be added depending on your needs and can handle up to 6 Solar Saga 200 panels. Very impressed with what Jackery has done here." — Chris.

Best Generator For Large Homes: Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (6kWh)

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (6kWh) is another solar-powered generator for home use that can charge most household appliances for long hours. The solar generator's pull rods and double wheels ensure easy movement from one room to another. Whether you are dealing with long-term power outages or want to reduce your electricity bills, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (6kWh) sounds like a reliable option.

Customer Review :“Love my Jackery. The product was well-packaged and arrived in Great Shape. Easy to set up. Had an Electrician connect the transfer box to my Breaker box. We are now ready for an outage that we hope never comes. Great peace of mind. No propane bottles or gas cans in my garage. This thing is clean, compact, and expandable if necessary.” — Thomas Luebker.

Most Trusted Whole Home Backup Power: Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is the most trusted whole house solar generator that can charge almost all household appliances such as ACs, refrigerators, lights, and heaters. The 120V/240V dual voltage support ensures it can charge standard 120V appliances like refrigerators along with heavy-duty 240V appliances like electric dryers. It can integrate with the home's electricity system so you can switch from a power grid to battery backup power almost instantly.

Why Do You Need a Solar Generator For House?

Preparing your home with an efficient and reliable power source is becoming more than necessary. With power outages and blackouts becoming common, keeping a power backup solution for the home is ideal. Until recently, fossil fuel or gas generators were the go-to choices for people. But today, people realize the immense benefits of solar power generators. Some other advantages of solar generators include the following:

• Reliable and Renewable Energy

Solar generators are a reliable and renewable energy source compared to other power alternatives. The solar panels arranged beneath the sun will store the solar energy and convert it into electrical energy. As no artificial elements are involved in energy production, it adds up to help you access natural and reliable power.

• Safe to Use at Home

Advanced solar generators like Jackery products feature a first-rate lithium battery that houses two chips for dual protection. In addition, four core detectors ensure an appropriate amount of charge flows to and from the solar generator.

The in-built Battery Management System (BMS)™ protects the circuit, guaranteeing that the generator is safe to use at home.

• No Fumes, No Need to Use Fuel

Solar generators use solar energy rather than fuel to recharge and power home appliances. That said, no fumes are produced, guaranteeing clean energy at home. To charge the home appliances with a solar power generator, you need to connect the explorer with solar panels and let it recharge its battery.

• Saves Money and the Environment

Monthly electricity bills can dread you. However, that's not the case when you have a solar generator at home. Once you know the answer to "what size generator do I need for my house," you can reduce the high electricity bills. Not only does solar energy help you cut down the high bills, but it also ensures that you cause no harm to the environment by producing toxic carbon emissions.

• Easy to Use and No Maintenance

Unlike gas or fuel generators, solar generators are extremely easy to use and require no maintenance. You can dust off the solar generator with a clean cloth to ensure it runs efficiently. The press-and-play feature of Jackery Solar Generators provides that anyone can operate it with a single button press. In addition, it features a battery-level monitoring system and fault code indicators that make it user-friendly.

• Quiet

Solar generators do not have any moving parts. That said, no noise is produced while the solar power station operates. The solar generator's cooling fan produces no more than 53 dB of sound. That's why solar generators can also be utilized during nighttime as it works silently to give access to clean power.

Before buying any generator, always ask what size generator to run a house. Once you know the answer, understand its features and make your purchase.A solar generator such as Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is easy to use and can help you power your house during blackouts.

FAQs About Solar Generator For Home

1. How many years will a solar generator last?

Branded solar generators last for decades without any heavy maintenance costs.For example, Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro can stay at a maximum capacity of 80% after using it weekly for 10 years.

2. How much does a solar generator for a house cost?

The cost of a solar power station or generator for your house can vary greatly depending on location, size and type of solar system, and the brand.  You can learn more from the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro page.The product can recharge all your high-powering appliances and tools during emergencies or outdoors, including e-bikes, air conditioners, mini coolers, pellet smokers, etc.

3. Inverter or generator: which is best for home use?

A solar generator with an in-built inverter is an efficient and powerful way to recharge all your home appliances. In addition, solar generators, compared to gasoline generators, produce clean power, are quiet, and are portable. Therefore, you should always choose a green and clean power source like a solar generator for home use.

Conclusion

A home solar power generator is a worthwhile investment, especially if your home area is prone to blackouts and brownouts. However, choosing the right size of the solar generator is of great importance.

Calculate what devices you are looking to power and for how long to understand what size generator to run a house. Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is the one of best choices for homeowners wanting to power most of their appliances for hours. For more information about Jackery products, subscribe to our newsletter and get exclusive product news and deals.

Answers to Comments

Comment 2: Hello, I’m very curious about the Jackery 2000 Pro and the the 3000 Pro for my home. It’s a 16x 80 manufactured home with new 95% efficient natural gas furnace would either one of the Jackerys power the furnace and for how long? Mainly interested for winter back up if we lose power. Thank you for any assistance. 

Reply: Hey! Yes, Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro can power a 95% efficient natural gas furnace. It typically uses 300 - 800W, depending on the size and efficiency. And Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro can charge for 3.2 - 8.5 hours. You can use the formula: 3024Wh × 0.85 ÷ Wattage Consumption of Natural Gas Furnace to calculate the exact time. 

Comment 3: I have a 9.7Kwh solar system on my roof. 24 panels. Looking at a backup whole house solution price too? Options to upgrade or downgrade?

Reply: Hey! A 9.7kWh solar system is enough to charge most of the household appliances during power outages. But if you are looking for a portable backup solution that can charge appliances outdoors or in your home's backyard, you can consider checking out Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2. 

Comment 4: Hello, Iam Tonya and I want to know some pricing and information on your solar generator.I want to power a 1369 square foot house.I want to power the fridge, stove, AC unit and basically the electricity.Do you offer monthly plans.Looking forward to hearing from you soon.Thanks.

Reply: Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is the most trusted whole home generator that you can use to charge almost all household appliances like fridges, stoves, AC units, etc. You can purchase the Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus Portable Power Station + 2*Jackery SolarSaga 500X Solar Panels + Smart Transfer Switch for charging appliances during power outages. You can check the product page to learn about its pricing and other details.