Technology

How to Choose the Right Generator Size Based on Wattage Needs?

By Chris Lakewoods

Posted on March 2, 2025

Running short on power can bring your work or event to a standstill. Picking the right generator size is crucial for keeping everything running smoothly. This guide will help you understand your power needs and find the perfect generator for your situation.

Why Generator Size Matters

Choosing a generator that’s too small means:

Equipment won’t run properly
Power cuts during peak usage
Possible damage to your devices
Frustrating downtime

Going too big means:

Wasting money on rental costs
Using more fuel than needed
Taking up extra space
Unnecessary transport costs

Step 1: List All Your Power Needs

Start by making a list of everything you need to power:

Common Home Appliances

Refrigerator: 700-1200 watts
Air conditioner (10,000 BTU): 1500 watts
Water pump: 750-1500 watts
Lights: 60-100 watts per bulb
TV: 100-300 watts
Microwave: 1000-1500 watts
Computer: 200-400 watts

Construction Equipment

Small power tools: 400-1000 watts
Cement mixer: 1000-2000 watts
Air compressor: 1500-2000 watts
Electric drill: 600-1000 watts
Circular saw: 1200-1500 watts

Event Equipment

Sound system: 1000-5000 watts
Lighting rig: 1000-3000 watts
Coffee machine: 800-1500 watts
Food warming trays: 500-1500 watts
Projector: 300-800 watts

Step 2: Know Starting vs. Running Wattage

Many devices need extra power to start up:

Running watts: Power needed to keep a device running
Starting watts: Extra power needed when first turning on (can be 2-3 times higher)

For example:

A refrigerator might need 800 watts to run but 2400 watts to start
An air conditioner might need 1500 watts to run but 4500 watts to start

Step 3: Add Up Your Total Needs

Add the running watts of everything that will run at the same time
Add the highest starting watt requirement to this total
Add 20% extra for safety margin

Example calculation:

Refrigerator (running): 800 watts
10 lights: 600 watts
TV: 200 watts
Air conditioner (running): 1500 watts
Total running watts: 3100 watts
Air conditioner (starting): Extra 3000 watts
Total needed: 6100 watts
With 20% safety margin: 7320 watts

Result: You need at least a 7.5 kVA generator

Generator Size Categories

Based on your calculations, you can choose from:

Small (2-5 kVA): Good for small homes, basic tools, or camping
Medium (5-10 kVA): Suitable for homes, small events, or light construction
Large (10-30 kVA): Perfect for construction sites, medium events, or small businesses
Industrial (30+ kVA): Ideal for large events, construction projects, or business backup

Professional Generator Services in Delhi NCR and Goa

For those in Delhi NCR (including Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad) and Goa looking for generator solutions, Rentifyr Technologies offers comprehensive generator rental and generator repair services. Their team of experts can:

Help calculate your exact power needs
Recommend the right generator size
Deliver and set up generators on-site
Provide fuel management services
Offer 24/7 technical support
Handle all maintenance and repairs

They maintain generators of various sizes from leading brands to meet different power requirements for homes, businesses, construction sites, and events.

Sell Your Used Generator

Looking to upgrade your power solution? Rentifyr Technologies also buys old and used generators of all sizes and brands. This service provides an excellent option for:

Businesses upgrading to newer models
Construction companies with surplus equipment
Property owners with unused backup power systems
Event companies updating their equipment

Their fair assessment process ensures you get reasonable value for your used equipment, making it easier to invest in newer, more efficient models when needed.

Factors Beyond Wattage to Consider

When choosing a generator, also think about:

Fuel type: Diesel, petrol, or gas options available
Noise level: Important for residential areas and events
Runtime: How long can it run on a full tank?
Portability: Do you need to move it around?
Weather protection: For outdoor and rainy season use
Environmental concerns: Emissions and efficiency

Expert Tips for Generator Selection

Industry professionals like those at Rentifyr Technologies recommend:

Always go slightly larger than your calculated need
Consider future expansion of power needs
For events, have a backup generator ready
For longer projects, choose diesel for better fuel efficiency
Regular maintenance saves you from costly breakdowns
Keep load balanced across phases for three-phase generators

Getting Professional Help

Don’t risk choosing the wrong generator size. Professional generator rental and repair services can visit your site, assess your power needs, and recommend the perfect generator solution.

Quality providers like Rentifyr Technologies offer: