If you live in a rural part of Middle Tennessee, you already know — power outages aren’t just a minor inconvenience. They can knock out well pumps, refrigerators, heating systems, and essential medical equipment. That’s why more families across Lawrence, Giles, Wayne, and Perry Counties are investing in backup generators.

But not all generators are the same. At AC/DC Electrical Services, we’re often asked: “What size generator do I really need for my home?” Here’s a simple guide to help you decide.

🔌 Why Sizing Matters

Buying a generator that’s too small can overload the system, damage your appliances, or fail when you need it most. On the other hand, an oversized generator wastes fuel and increases installation costs unnecessarily.

Correct sizing = safety, efficiency, and peace of mind.

🏡 Step 1: Decide What You Want to Power

Start by listing the critical appliances or systems you want to run during an outage.

Essentials for most Tennessee households include:

• Refrigerator / freezer (600–1200W)

• Well pump (1000–2000W)

• Gas furnace blower (600–1200W)

• Sump pump (750–1500W)

• A few lights and outlets (300–600W total)

• Microwave or electric range (1000–2000W)

• Window A/C or central HVAC (up to 5000W or more)

We can help you prioritize what’s essential vs. optional based on your family’s needs and outage history.

⚖️ Step 2: Add Up the Wattage

Add the starting wattage (surge) and running wattage for each item. Motors and compressors (like those in refrigerators and HVAC units) require more power at startup than during operation.

Here’s a simplified example:

• Fridge: 1200W start / 700W run

• Well pump: 1800W start / 1000W run

• Lights & outlets: 600W

• Gas furnace: 1200W

• Total: ~4800W start / ~3500W run

This home would need at least a 5kW–7kW generator to power essentials during an outage.

🧠 Step 3: Choose the Right Generator Type

✅ Portable Generators (3kW–10kW)

Good for powering a few items at a time. Needs manual setup, refueling, and extension cords.

✔ Lower cost
✔ Short-term solution
❌ Manual operation
❌ Not ideal for full-home coverage

✅ Standby Generators (10kW–24kW+)

Permanently installed outside, wired directly into your home. Turns on automatically when power goes out.

✔ Whole-home backup
✔ Hands-free operation
✔ Long-term solution
✔ Connects to natural gas or propane

🌪 Ideal for Rural Tennessee Homes

In rural areas, restoring power can take longer, especially during storms or winter weather. A properly sized standby generator means:

• No spoiled food

• No cold showers

• No worrying about sump pump failure

• Continued access to medical devices or CPAP machines

⚙️ Need Help Sizing? We’ll Do It For You.

Our licensed electricians will:

• Visit your home

• Identify your essential circuits

• Calculate your real power needs

• Recommend and install the right generator for your family

Power You Can Count On

At AC/DC Electrical Services, we’ve installed reliable generator systems for homeowners across Lawrence, Giles, Wayne, Maury, Marshall, and beyond. We’re here to help your family stay safe, comfortable, and connected — no matter what Tennessee weather brings.