Wattage Chart

The following wattage chart can help determine generator size requirements.

Minimum and maximum energy consumption is noted, as well as the surge requirements some tools and appliances require for initial start-up.

This information has been compiled from a wide variety of online sources. These are estimates only. Your tools and appliances may require different wattages depending on a variety of factors. For more accurate wattage requirements you should either look at the Data Plate on the back of your appliances/tools or you could use a Wattage Meter that will tell you exactly what wattage is required, both of these venues will take some time to perform and that is why we put together this Wattage Chart for your convenience.

We recommend purchasing a generator with a large enough wattage rating to run all needed items at 60 percent of full generator capacity.

These numbers are averaged from a variety of sources. Numbers may not represent the type of appliances or tools in your home.

APPLIANCE	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM	SURGE	VARIABLES
HOUSEHOLD
air conditioner — central	2000	10,000	11,250
air conditioner — room	1,000	1,500	2,000-2,200	BTU rating
blender	300	400	850
CD player	35		0
clock—electric	3		0
clothes washer	425	1,200	2,300
coffee maker	600	1,750	0
computer monitor	30	250	0
computer printer	100	600	0
computer — desktop	80	800	0
computer — laptop	200	250	0
dehumidifier	785		0
dishwasher	700	1,800	2,000
dryer — clothes, electric	1,800	5,400	6,750
dryer — clothes, gas	300	400	0
dryer — hair	1,000	1,800	2,000
electric blanket	80	200	0
fan — ceiling	10	120	0
fan — furnace	300	1,000	500 - 2,350	HP of motor
fan — portable	10	150	30-450
fan — whole house	500		0
fax machine	600	800	0
freezer — chest	350	600	0	cubic feet
furnace — gas	400		0
furnace — oil	1,500		0
garbage disposal	450		0
heater — electric	1,125	1,500	0
heater — engine block	150	1,000	0
heater — radiant	1,300		0
heater — water, electric	5,000		0	40-gallon
heater — waterbed	400		0
hot plate	1,200		0
iron — clothes	1,000	1,400	0
iron — waffle	1,200		0
light bulb — CF	25		0	bulb rating
light bulb — incandescent	60	120	0	bulb rating
microwave	625	1,500	800-1,700	wattage rating
oven — toaster	1,225		0
pump — sump	600	1,050	1,300-2,150
pump — well	700		0
radio	50	200	0
radio — 2-way	360	960	0
radio — CB	5		0
radio — clock	1	10	0
range — electric	2,100	4,500	0
refrigerator — energy star	132	192	1,200
refrigerator	475	725	2,200	cubic feet
satellite receiver	30	250	0
shaver—electric	15		0
slow cooker	170	270	0
stereo	250		0
stereo — portable	10	30	0
telephone — radio	5	150	0	recv. or trans.
television	65	340	0	screen size/type (LCD, plasma, etc.)
toaster	800	1,500	0
typewriter	800	1,500	0
vacuum cleaner	200	1,225	0
VCR/DVD/Bluray	25	350	0

TOOLS
air compressor	975	1,500	1,600-4,500	1/2 - 1 HP
battery charger	380	5,750	0	amp rating
bench grinder — 8 in.	1,400		2,500
drill — 1 inch	1,000		0
drill — 1/2 inch	600	750	900
drill — 1/4 inch	250		0
drill — 3/8 inch	440		600
hammer — demolition	1,260		0
hammer — rotary	1,200		0
heater — kerosene	400	625	600-1,000	50-150K BTU
motor — 1/4 HP	600		1,000
motor — 1/2 HP	875		2,300
pressure washer	1,200		3,600	1 HP
sander — belt, 3 in.	1,000		0
sander — disk, 9 in.	1,200		0
saw — band, 14 in.	1,100		0
saw — chain, 12 in.	1,100		0	2 HP
saw — circular, 7 1/4 in.	900	1,400	2,300	HP rating
saw — circular, 8 1/4 in.	1,400		0
saw — table, 10 in.	1,800		4,500
sewing machine	100		0
welder — electric	7,800	9,000	0	100-200 amp

OUTDOOR/RECREATION
air conditioner — RV	1,000	2,000	1,600-3,300	BTU rating
fence—electric	2,500		0	25 miles
fridge — RV	180		0
garage door opener	350	720	600-1,420	HP rating
heater—stock tank	100		0
hedge trimmer	450		0
mower — electric	1,500		0
weed eater	500		0