Bigger isn’t always better — and too small will leave you frustrated. Here’s how to figure out exactly what your home needs.
So you’ve decided a home standby generator is the right move. Smart call — especially if you’ve spent any time in Baldwin County after a major storm.
Now comes the question that trips up a lot of homeowners: What size do I actually need?
It’s one of the most important decisions in the whole process, and it’s one that’s worth getting right. A generator that’s too small will struggle to power your home and wear out faster. A generator that’s oversized will cost more than necessary upfront and run inefficiently.
Here’s how to think through it — the way a professional would.
First, Understand What “Size” Actually Means
Generator size is measured in kilowatts (kW) — the amount of electrical power the unit can produce at any given moment. Residential standby generators typically range from 10 kW on the low end to 24 kW or more for whole-home coverage, though larger homes may require even more.
The right size for your home depends on one thing: how much power your home needs at peak demand — meaning, when everything you want to run is running at the same time.
Step 1: Decide What You Want to Power
This is the most important conversation to have with yourself before talking to any generator specialist. Most homeowners fall into one of three categories:
Essential circuits only. This means keeping the refrigerator, a few lights, phone chargers, and maybe a window AC unit running. This is a more modest approach and can often be handled with a 10 kW to 13 kW unit, depending on the home.
Partial home coverage. This means powering most of the home — lights throughout, central AC, the refrigerator, the microwave, and other daily appliances — but potentially cycling off a few high-draw items like an electric range or dryer. A 14 kW to 20 kW unit typically covers this range.
Whole home coverage. This means everything runs, exactly as it would on utility power — including central AC, electric water heater, electric range, washer and dryer, and all other loads. Depending on square footage and appliances, this can require 20 kW to 26 kW or more.
For most Baldwin County families, partial to whole-home coverage is the most popular choice — especially given how long outages can last here and how brutal the heat gets.
Step 2: Know Your Biggest Power Draws
Not all appliances are created equal. A few items in your home use dramatically more power than everything else combined — and they’re the ones that drive your sizing decision.
Here are the approximate wattage requirements for common high-draw appliances:
| Appliance | Approximate Wattage |
|---|---|
| Central AC (3-ton unit) | 3,500 – 5,000 watts |
| Central AC (4-ton unit) | 4,500 – 6,000 watts |
| Electric water heater | 4,000 – 5,500 watts |
| Well pump (1 HP) | 2,000 – 2,500 watts |
| Refrigerator | 150 – 400 watts |
| Sump pump | 800 – 1,500 watts |
| Microwave | 1,000 – 1,500 watts |
| Electric dryer | 5,000 – 6,000 watts |
| Electric range | 3,000 – 5,000 watts |
| Window AC unit | 900 – 1,400 watts |
| Lights (whole home) | 500 – 2,000 watts |
One important note: motors require a surge of power at startup — often two to three times their running wattage. Your generator needs to handle that startup surge, not just the steady running load. This is one reason professional sizing matters.
Step 3: Consider Your Home’s Specific Situation
Beyond appliances, a few factors specific to Baldwin County homes affect your sizing needs:
Natural gas vs. propane appliances. If your home uses natural gas for cooking, water heating, and the HVAC system, your generator has less electrical load to carry. All-electric homes require more generator capacity.
Home square footage. Larger homes simply have more lighting, more circuits, and often larger HVAC systems. A 2,500-square-foot home in Fairhope has meaningfully different needs than a 1,200-square-foot cottage in Gulf Shores.
Well and septic systems. A significant number of Baldwin County homes outside of Daphne, Fairhope, and the beach communities rely on well water. Well pumps are high-draw items that need to be factored in — and they’re essential, not optional, during a multi-day outage.
Electric vehicle charging. If you have an EV and want to maintain charging capability during an outage, that load needs to be included in your sizing calculation.
Medical equipment. CPAP machines, oxygen concentrators, and home dialysis equipment are non-negotiable loads. Make sure any specialist you work with knows about them upfront.
Step 4: Don’t Skip the Professional Load Calculation
Here’s the honest truth: online calculators and rule-of-thumb guides are a starting point, not a final answer.
A qualified generator installer will perform an actual load calculation — a formal assessment of your home’s electrical panel, your appliance inventory, and your peak demand — to recommend the right unit with confidence. This protects you from buying the wrong size in either direction.
It also matters for warranty purposes. Most generator manufacturers require professional sizing and installation to honor the warranty on their units.
A General Sizing Guide for Baldwin County Homes
While every home is different, here’s a rough framework that applies to most Gulf Coast residences:
| Home Profile | Recommended Size |
|---|---|
| Small home or condo, essential circuits only | 10 – 13 kW |
| 1,500 – 2,000 sq ft, central AC, gas appliances | 14 – 17 kW |
| 2,000 – 2,500 sq ft, central AC, some electric appliances | 18 – 22 kW |
| 2,500+ sq ft, all-electric, whole home coverage | 22 – 26 kW+ |
| Large home, EV, pool equipment, or medical loads | 26 kW+ |
These ranges assume a properly sized automatic transfer switch and professional installation.
The Bottom Line
Sizing a generator isn’t something to guess at — but it’s also not something to be intimidated by. With the right information and the right installer, the process is straightforward.
The most important thing is to have the conversation before hurricane season is knocking on your door, not after. Installation timelines and equipment availability tighten up fast once June arrives — and once a storm is named, it’s too late.
Not sure what size generator your home needs? Jubilee Generator provides free, no-pressure home consultations for Baldwin County homeowners. We’ll walk through your home’s specific needs and recommend exactly the right solution — no overselling, no guesswork.
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