According to Costimates, backup generators should offer three to five watts per square foot to cover absolute necessities, and six to 14 watts per square foot to power up an entire house. If you use a lot of appliances or require a high amount of electricity for other purposes, your wattage needs will increase. Let's take a closer look at how to choose backup generators that best meet your household's needs.

What Size Generator Do You Need?

In order to answer this question, take an inventory of each room in your house and observe the electrical needs in every one of them. The appliances that you want to keep running should have their wattage details listed on them. This is a great time to consider what you and your family are able to live without for a few days.

What Are Your Wattage Requirements?

During the inventory process discussed above, take note of the wattage requirements of each of the appliances that you'll want or need to keep operating during a power outage. Bear in mind that you should only try to keep the essentials going when the power's out. Don't try to replicate the output of your household's energy system with a generator. Determine what your "must haves" are and record your wattage needs. Your refrigerator and freezer will fall into the necessary category, while your television won't. Making these determinations makes it easier to select the right generator while keeping everything you need operating properly.

What Is Your Price Range?

Now that you've determined what size of generator you'll need, along with your wattage requirements, the last decision to make is determining your budget. You likely will not have to purchase the most expensive product, but the cheapest ones probably aren't the right choice either. Consider your budget as well as the quality of the product you're able to obtain while operating within those parameters. These considerations will help you determine which product best meets your unique needs.

We are the company to call for all of your questions about backup generators and which ones will best meet the needs of your household. Contact us today at Generator's M.D. to learn more about our wide range of products and services.