Wattage Calculator
Calculate your total power needs by selecting the appliances you want to run during an outage.
Select all appliances you want to power during an outage:
Essential
Lighting
Kitchen
Heating & Cooling
Electronics
Laundry
Medical
Add Custom Appliance
Your Power Requirements
Running Watts
0 W
Starting Watts
0 W
Recommended Generator Size
0 Watts
(includes 20% safety margin)
Recommended Transfer Switch:
30 Amp
Recommended Transfer Switches
Understanding Running vs Starting Watts
Running watts (also called rated watts) is the continuous power an appliance needs to operate. Starting watts (also called surge or peak watts) is the extra power needed to start motor-driven appliances.
Tips for Accurate Calculations
- Check appliance labels for exact wattage
- Motors (pumps, AC, refrigerators) need 2-3x starting watts
- Add a 20% buffer for safety
- Don't start all motor appliances at once