When you are trying to figure out the amount of wattage you should get in a generator, there are a couple rules of thumb to follow. First, you’ll want to add up the wattage of all of the items you would want powered—should the power go out. Next, you’ll want to double that number. Generators have two ratings, one for continuous load and one for surge power. Most appliances that have any kind of motor load will draw three times as much during start up as they will when up and running. Additionally, lighting, like your hand forged iron chandelier, is usually a continuous draw when using a generator as a backup. It is always best to oversize your back up power unit to ensure it works for you when you need it.
Content Provided by: Julia Ritzenthaler