Power outages can happen at any time, leaving homeowners without essential appliances, heating and cooling, and even security systems. Investing in a backup generator ensures your home stays powered during unexpected blackouts, but choosing the right size is crucial. An undersized generator won’t provide enough power, while an oversized one can be inefficient and costly. At Commander Power Systems, we specialize in helping homeowners select the perfect generator to meet their unique needs.
Key Factors in Generator Sizing
When sizing a home generator, we take several important factors into account to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.
1. Power Needs and Essential Appliances: Every home has unique power requirements. The first step is determining which appliances and systems you have that need to keep running during an outage. We calculate the wattage of these appliances and determine the total power load to ensure your generator can handle the demand. Common essentials include:
- Refrigerators and freezers
- Heating and cooling systems (HVAC)
- Sump pumps
- Well pumps (for homes relying on well water)
- Lights
- Medical equipment
- Internet and home office equipment
2. Running vs. Starting Watts: Many appliances require more power when they first turn on than when they are running. For example, an air conditioner might need 2,200 watts to start but only 1,500 watts to operate. This surge power requirement must be factored into the generator sizing to prevent overloads.
3. Fuel Type and Availability: Your fuel source influences the size and type of generator that best suits your home. Generators are powered by different fuel sources, including:
- Natural Gas – Continuous fuel supply but requires a gas line connection.
- Propane – Efficient and long shelf life, ideal for areas without natural gas.
- Diesel – High efficiency and durability, but requires storage.
- Gasoline – Readily available but less efficient for long-term use.
4. Climate and Seasonal Usage: Long Island’s weather can be unpredictable, with hot, humid summers, harsh winter storms, and the threat of hurricanes. Given these conditions, a properly sized generator is essential to keep your heating and cooling systems running during extended outages caused by nor’easters, blizzards, or tropical storms.
5. Future Expansion and Home Upgrades: If you plan to add new appliances, expand your home, or install an electric vehicle (EV) charger, your power needs may increase. We factor in potential future demand to ensure your generator remains sufficient over time.
Let Commander Power Systems Help You Choose the Right Generator
Selecting the right home generator doesn’t have to be complicated. At Commander Power Systems, we offer expert guidance, professional installation, and ongoing maintenance to ensure your generator provides reliable power when you need it most. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and ensure your home is prepared for any power outage.
