In addition, remember that you may need to run a well pump or sump pump. Central furnaces typically use less than 1,000 watts, but large air conditioning units can easily run over 2,000 watts. Depending on the season, you may need to run a heating system or large air conditioning unit. However, keep in mind that you might end up using all of your available 3,500 watts just on essentials. You can power a microwave and electric stove, and still have enough power remaining to charge your laptop and smartphone. If you want to actually be able to use your home, including the kitchen, you have plenty of power left over to do so. At the very least, most homeowners will want to run a refrigerator, freezer, and lights – which adds up to around 1,000 watts. Power Outage at Homeģ,500 watts is just enough power to keep your essential appliances running during a blackout. To illustrate exactly what you can run on a 3,500-watt generator in different situations, let’s look at some common applications where this on-demand power can come in handy. Note that this typically requires using two generators of the same model, as well as an additional parallel connectivity kit. That means that if you buy two 3,500-watt inverter generators, you can connect them together and pull up to 7,000 watts from one of the two generators.
Importantly, inverter generators also give you the option of connecting two generators in parallel. To start, they can safely power sensitive electronics like a smartphone, computer, or television in addition to your standard home appliances and power tools. Inverter generators are more expensive than their conventional counterparts, but they have a number of advantages. But thankfully, inverter generator technology has come far enough that there are now plenty of 3,500-watt inverter options.
Until recently, all 3,500-watt generators used a conventional open-frame motor. You’ll need to do your homework on a specific generator model to find out exactly what wattages it is rated for. Keep in mind that the 3,500-watt rating on a generator may refer to either the continuous wattage or surge wattage. This is the wattage that is noted on most appliances and tools. Surge power also comes into play if you use your generator for outdoor tools like lawnmowers, chainsaws, and table saws.Ĭontinuous wattage, also called running wattage, is the amount of power that your generator can sustain for hours. This is typically important when starting up motor-driven appliances, like refrigerators and air conditioners. Surge wattage is the amount of power that your generator can support for a few seconds. When talking about generator wattages, there are two different power ratings you need to know about: surge wattage and continuous wattage. If you want to dive right into our buying guides for each type of generator, you can find them here: Understanding Generator Wattage
From choosing the generator that will cover your power and portability requirements to how to set up and maintain your generator for optimal performance, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about generators. You know that no matter where you go, you’ll have power from your generator.
Having a portable generator can allow you to keep the comforts of home far beyond your home’s power outlets, or to power tools and devices in your yard or at a worksite. Many people think of generators as just a backup for powering your home in case the power goes down, but they’re good for so much more than that.