What size generator do I need for a 3,000 sq ft house?

Why square footage isn't the answer

Two 3,000 square foot homes can need very different generators. One might have gas heat, a gas range and a gas water heater, with one A/C unit. The other might be all-electric with two heat pumps, an electric range, an electric dryer and a well pump. The second home uses a lot more power, so it needs a bigger generator to run the same way.

That's why we don't size generators by square footage. We size them by what's in your home and what you want running.

What actually decides the size

• Air conditioning and heat pumps. These are usually the biggest loads in an Atlanta home. The number of units and their size matter more than anything else.
• Electric appliances. An electric range, dryer, water heater or furnace adds a lot. Gas versions of the same appliances add very little electrical load.
• Pumps. Well pumps, sump pumps and pool pumps all need to be counted.
• Medical equipment. If someone at home depends on equipment, we make sure it's covered.
• Whole house or essentials. Covering everything takes a bigger generator than covering the fridge, lights, Wi-Fi and one A/C.

Whole house or essentials?

Some families want the house to run like nothing happened. Others are happy with the essentials. Both are fine. Generac also makes load management modules that can let a generator cover more of the house by switching big appliances on and off as needed, so you may not need the biggest size to get the coverage you want.

The seven Generac sizes we install

We install Generac home standby generators in 10, 14, 18, 22, 24, 26 and 28 kW. You can compare all seven sizes, but the right one for your home comes from a walk-through, not a chart.

How we size your generator

On the free site visit, James Hill, a licensed Georgia Master Electrician, looks at your electrical panel, your A/C units and your appliances, and asks what you want running when the power goes out. Then he recommends the size that fits, and puts it in a written estimate. Bigger isn't always better, and we won't sell you more generator than you need.