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What Will a 5,000 Watt Generator Run? Appliance List and Load Math
A 5,000 watt generator can run a home's essentials at the same time: a refrigerator, a sump pump, a furnace blower, lights, a TV, Wi-Fi, and a microwave in between. What it cannot do is run big 240V loads like central air, an electric dryer, or an electric water heater along with everything else. The key number is running watts. The DuroMax XP5500HX, for example, is rated 5,500 starting watts and 4,500 running watts on gasoline.
What a 5,000 watt generator can run
| Appliance | Running watts | Starting watts | On a 4,500 running watt generator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator or freezer (ENERGY STAR) | 132 to 192 | 1,200 | Yes |
| Sump pump, 1/2 HP | 1,050 | 2,150 | Yes |
| Furnace fan, 1/2 HP | 875 | 2,350 | Yes |
| Window AC, 10,000 BTU | 1,500 | 2,200 | Yes |
| Microwave, 1,000 W | 1,500 | 1,500 | Yes |
| Coffee maker, 4 cup | 600 | 600 | Yes |
| TV, 46 inch flat screen | 190 | 190 | Yes |
| Laptop | 200 to 250 | 200 to 250 | Yes |
| Well pump, 1 HP | 1,000 to 2,000 | 2,000 to 4,000 | Yes, with other loads off when it starts |
| Space heater | 750 to 1,500 | None extra | Yes, but it uses a third of the capacity |
| Electric water heater | 4,500 | 4,500 | Only by itself |
| Electric dryer | 5,400 | 6,750 | No |
| Central AC, 3 ton | 3,000 to 3,500 | 5,000 to 6,000 | No (starting watts too high) |
Sources: Honda Power Equipment generator wattage guide (refrigerator, sump pump, furnace fan, window AC, microwave, coffee maker, TV, laptop, water heater, dryer); Champion Power Equipment generator wattage chart (well pump, space heater, central AC). Check your own appliance labels, since models vary.
A real outage load, added up
| Load | Running watts |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 192 |
| Sump pump, 1/2 HP | 1,050 |
| Furnace fan, 1/2 HP | 875 |
| TV | 190 |
| Internet router and modem | 20 |
| 10 LED bulbs at 15 W | 150 |
| Laptop | 250 |
| Total running | 2,727 |
Add the biggest extra starting surge, the furnace fan's 1,475 watts (2,350 minus 875), and the peak is about 4,202 watts. That is under the XP5500HX's 5,500 starting watts, and the 2,727 running watts leave about 1,770 watts free for a microwave or coffee maker. This method of adding the single largest extra starting load follows Briggs and Stratton's sizing guidance. For a full chart, see the Generator Wattage Chart.
Running watts vs starting watts
- Running watts are what the generator can supply continuously. Keep your total running load under this number.
- Starting watts are a short burst for motors to start. Briggs and Stratton describes it as extra power needed for two to three seconds.
Start the biggest motor first, then add smaller loads one at a time.
How to connect a 5,000 watt generator
The XP5500HX has two 120V 5-20R outlets and one 120/240V L14-30R outlet, rated 37.5 amps at 120V or 18.75 amps at 240V. You can run cords to plug-in appliances, or connect the L14-30R to a transfer switch or interlock kit to power hard-wired circuits like the furnace and sump pump. A 30 amp transfer switch like the Reliance 310CRK ($479) fits this outlet. Read How to Hook Up a Generator to Your House.
Fuel and run time
DuroMax rates the XP5500HX at 9 hours at half load and 19 hours at a quarter load on its 4 gallon tank of gasoline. On propane, running watts drop to 4,275. See How Long Can a Generator Run?
Generators around 5,000 watts and up
- DuroMax XP5500HX: 5,500 starting / 4,500 running watts, dual fuel, CO alert, electric start, L14-30R. $629
- DuroStar DS8000iX: 8,000 starting / 6,500 running watts, inverter, dual fuel. $999
- DuroMax XP8500EH: 8,500 starting / 7,000 running watts, dual fuel. $1,075.99
Need central air or an electric water heater too? Read What Size Generator Do You Need to Run a House? Browse all portable generators.
Need help sizing? Call 1-888-855-7286. Send us a list of what you want to run, and we will check it against the generator's running and starting watts.
5,000 watt generator FAQ
What will a 5,000 watt generator run? A refrigerator, sump pump, furnace blower, lights, TV, internet, and small kitchen appliances one at a time.
Will a 5,000 watt generator run a house? The essentials, yes. Not central air, an electric dryer, or an electric water heater with everything else.
Can a 5,000 watt generator run a well pump? A 1 HP well pump (1,000 to 2,000 running, 2,000 to 4,000 starting watts per Champion) can run if other big loads are off when it starts. If the pump is 240V, use the L14-30R outlet through a transfer switch.
Can a 5,000 watt generator run central air? Usually not. A 3 ton unit needs 5,000 to 6,000 starting watts per Champion's chart, before anything else.
How long will a 5,000 watt generator run? About 9 hours at half load on 4 gallons of gasoline for the XP5500HX.