1. What is House Wattage Calculation?

The House Wattage calculation estimates the total power requirements of a home by summing the wattage of all appliances and adding any surge wattage needed for startup. This helps determine the appropriate generator size needed for power outages.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• Appliance Watts — The sum of all running watts for appliances
• Surge Watts — Additional watts needed for motor startup (typically 1.5-3x running watts)

Explanation: The calculation accounts for both continuous power needs and temporary surge requirements when motors start.

3. Importance of Wattage Calculation

Details: Accurate wattage estimation is crucial for selecting a properly sized generator that can handle both running loads and startup surges without being overloaded.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Add up the wattage of all appliances you need to power simultaneously, then add the highest surge wattage from any motor-driven appliance (like AC units or refrigerators).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I find appliance wattage?
A: Check appliance labels or manuals. Alternatively, use: Watts = Volts × Amps (for devices that list amps instead of watts).

Q2: What's a typical surge multiplier?
A: Most motors need 1.5-3 times their running watts for startup. Check manufacturer specs for exact values.

Q3: Should I size up my generator?
A: It's recommended to add 20-25% buffer to your calculated wattage for safety and future expansion.

Q4: What about energy-efficient appliances?
A: Newer appliances often use less power, but still check their actual specifications as efficiency doesn't always mean lower wattage.

Q5: How does this differ for solar systems?
A: Solar systems consider both wattage and watt-hours (energy use over time), while generators focus on peak power delivery.