Steps to Accurate Home Generator Sizing for Residents of Chesterfield, MO

For homeowners in Chesterfield, Missouri, a backup generator is a must-have appliance. In the event of a power outage, a home generator can keep the HVAC system running, the lights on, and the food in the refrigerator fresh. It can even provide life-saving support by keeping powered medical equipment running. If you’ve decided to have a generator installed, make sure it’s a smart investment by selecting the right generator for your home. First, determine if you require a system that is powered by propane or natural gas. Then follow these steps to ensure proper sizing of your home generator:

Make a List

Your first step will be to determine which home components you’d like to retain power during an outage. Start with essentials, such as your lights and HVAC system. However, don’t automatically discount non-essentials, such as hair dryers. It’s best to assume that an outage will last for days. Be sure to account for all powered equipment you’d like to use during this time.

Determine the Required Power Capacity

Correctly sizing your home generator requires accurately totaling the power needs of all components on your list. You’ll want to determine the total wattage, which may require some conversion. For example, volt-amps or VA is equal to watts. However, when volts and amps are given separately, you can multiply the volts by the amps to determine total watts. And, if an appliance is measured in kilowatts, this can be multiplied by 1000. For example, a piece of equipment that uses two kilowatts is equal to 2000 watts.

It is important to allow some breathing room when choosing your home generator. After determining total wattage, multiply that number by at least 1.25 and select a generator that can handle this capacity.

Find a Reputable Generator Installer

Many companies install home generators, but few companies specialize in this service. If you can find a company with extensive experience installing backup generators, it will be able to help ensure that your home generator sizing is completely accurate. At Tri-State Water, Power, & Air, we’re proud to do exactly that for homeowners in Chesterfield, MO. By providing industry-leading products and service along with expert installations, we ensure our customers are well-prepared for power failures. Contact us today to learn more.