What Size Generator to Run a House (with Chart)

Brief Answer: The right generator size for a house depends on your total wattage needs. You will typically need around 3,000 - 3,500 watts for running only basic essentials at home. If you live in a larger home with an AC or multiple appliances, you may require 5000 watts or more.

When the power goes out, one question comes to mind almost instantly: What size generator do I actually need to keep my home running? The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. A small home that only needs to keep the lights and fridge on will have very different requirements compared to a larger household that relies on heating, cooling, or medical equipment. In order to choose the right size generator for your home, you can start by looking at your appliances and their wattage needs. 

Once you know how much power your home uses, you will have a clear idea of the right generator size for you. If you are considering a cleaner, quieter way to keep essential appliances powered for hours or even days, Jackery Solar Generators are reliable solutions. These home battery backup solutions can power essential appliances with ease, while also helping you cut down on monthly electricity costs. 

AI Takeaways 

• A solar generator can power a house, but the capacity you need depends on whether you want to run just essentials like lights and a fridge or the whole home, including HVAC and heavy appliances.
• A solar generator for a house is a battery backup solution that stores energy from solar panels and supplies electricity to appliances during power outages or periods of high demand.
• You need a generator that matches your home’s total wattage needs, which is typically 3,000 to 5,000 watts for essentials, and 10,000 watts or more for whole-house coverage.
• A generator size chart lists common household appliances with their wattage, so you can calculate the right generator size by adding up what you want to run.
• Why do you need a solar generator for the home.

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 3000 - 5000-watt generator is enough to power most household needs, including AC, water heater, washer/dryer,  lights, and kitchen appliances. 

For a whole house, a generator with a capacity between 10,000 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 portable power system that uses solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity and portable power stations to store the generated power. Jackery Solar Generators can power essential appliances in your 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 powering household appliances such as refrigerators, ACs, and lights. 

While a solar generator can power a house, the capacity of a solar-powered generator will depend on the home size and the number of appliances you power 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 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. 

Advanced Essential Home Backup: Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000

The Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000 is the advanced essential home backup solution that can keep critical household appliances powered during short outages. It is a compact home battery backup solution with dual-sided handles to ensure easy transportation from one place to another. You can even transport this battery backup solution outdoors for powering appliances on the go. With the help of the Jackery Manual Transfer Switch, you can connect this essential home backup solution to the home's electricity panel and keep critical circuits powered.

Appliances Running Time 

• Refrigerator (300W) = 8.1H 
• CPAP Machine (40W) = 42.1H 
• Electric Blanket (80W) = 25.3H 
• Microwave Oven (1500W) = 1.7H 
• TV (150W) = 15.1H 

Who Should Buy This 

If you need a home battery backup that will help you power appliances when there is an outage in your area or you are away from the electrical outlets, the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000 is an ideal solution.

Customer Review

Arrived in good shape. Works well. I used it to power my trailer AC for 4 hours. Love that the unit only weighs 46 pounds, and it is a very small unit for the 3600 kWh output.

— John Standaert. 

Portable and Powerful Essential Home Backup: Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus 

The Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus is a powerful, essential home backup solution that can run appliances like fridges for up to 14 days. It can also power other essential appliances, such as coffee makers, lights, lamps, heaters, etc., to ensure your home stays functional during outages. It features a telescoping handle and wheels, allowing you to roll this home battery backup anywhere you go. It is also expandable up to 21kWh per unit or 43kWh when connected in parallel to increase the runtime of the appliances.

Appliances Running Time 

• Refrigerator (300W) = 9.5H 
• CPAP Machine (40W) = 49.1H 
• Electric Blanket (80W) = 29.9H 
• Microwave Oven (1500W) = 2.0H 
• TV (150W) = 17.7H 

Who Should Buy This 

If you want to keep most of the essential appliances, like fridges, powered during long-term power outages, you can consider the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus. 

Customer Review 

Very easy to set up, solar charge, great support! Going to buy more batteries!

— Mike Palmer.

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 power most home appliances and is built to run heavy-duty appliances up to 6000W, making it the ultimate battery backup 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.

Appliances Running Time 

• Refrigerator (300W) = 10.8H 
• CPAP Machine (40W) = 56H 
• Electric Blanket (80W) = 34H 
• Microwave Oven (1500W) = 2.3H 
• TV (150W) = 20.2H 

Who Should Buy This 

If you need a home battery backup that is compatible with an additional battery pack so you can connect them whenever you need more power, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh) is an ideal solution.

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.

Appliances Running Time 

• Refrigerator (300W) = 14.9H 
• CPAP Machine (40W) = 57.9H 
• Electric Blanket (80W) = 40.1H 
• Microwave Oven (1500W) = 3.4H 
• TV (150W) = 26.0H 

Who Should Buy This 

If you want a home battery backup with a larger battery capacity to run most essential appliances for longer hours, you can consider the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (6kWh).

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 Powerful Essential Home Backup Power: Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is the most trusted and powerful solar generator for houses that can run almost all household appliances such as ACs, refrigerators, lights, and heaters. The 120V/240V dual voltage support ensures it can run 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.

Appliances Running Time 

• Refrigerator (300W) = 12.2H 
• CPAP Machine (40W) = 47.6H 
• Electric Blanket (80W) = 33.0H 
• Microwave Oven (1500W) = 2.8H 
• TV (150W) = 21.4H 

Who Should Buy This 

If you want a powerful and expandable home battery backup that can run essentials and even lower the monthly electricity bills, the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is your ideal pick.

Customer Review

I love the fact I can use it as a UPS and I have 4 deep freezers plugged into my 5000 Plus and it is plugged into the house outlet in case the grid goes down, my food is safely kept frozen. So far it is performing great thanks again for the peace of mind.

- Kenneth Morgan.

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. For example, an essential home backup solution, such as the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus, is easy to use and can help you power your core house appliances during blackouts.

For Stephanie Adkins in Florida, repeated blackouts during hurricane season once meant spoiled food, unsafe heat, and sleepless nights. With the Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus and a transfer switch, she now keeps her breathing machine, refrigerator, and lights running seamlessly, without the fumes or noise of gas generators. See how Jackery helped Stephanie find peace of mind in a storm country in this Jackery Story.

FAQs About Solar Generator For Home

How many years will a solar generator last?

Branded solar generators last for decades without any heavy maintenance costs. For example, Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus feature  LiFePO4 battery and work for over a decade. Even after 6000 charge cycles, this battery backup solution will operate at 70% of its capacity.

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.  Jackery Solar Generators can power most of the essential appliances during emergencies or outdoors, including air conditioners, mini coolers, pellet smokers, etc.

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 Generators are ideal for homeowners wanting to power most of their essential appliances for hours. For more information about Jackery products, subscribe to our newsletter and get exclusive product news and deals.

Answers to Comments

Comment 1: What generator do I need to power a 2,000 square foot home with central air conditioning that will be used only at night? and perhaps a few hours during the day.

Reply: Hey, Andres! For a 2,000 sq. ft. home with central air conditioning unit, you will generally need around 7.5 - 10 kW of power to comfortably run your AC along with other essentials. Since you will be using AC mostly at night and a few hours in the day, a great option is the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus with expansion battery packs. It can keep the cooling system and other household essentials running smoothly.

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! The Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000 is the upgraded version of the Solar Generator 3000 Pro.  It can power a 95% efficient natural gas furnace for 3.2 - 8.1 hours on a single charge, which typically uses 300 - 800W, depending on the size and efficiency. You can check the working hours of any Jackery Solar Generator by visiting its product page and entering the wattage consumption in the Running Time Calculator. 

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.