How Much Electricity Does an Air Conditioner Use? Air conditioner usage varies based on the size of your AC. However, generally speaking, a central air conditioner will consume between 3000 and 3500 watts per hour. While window units use between 900 and 1440 watts per hour, portable units consume between 2900 and 4100.
Firstly, it's important to ensure that the generator you choose is large enough to handle the wattage requirements of your air conditioner. A typical residential generator in Florida requires at least 5,000 to 7,500 watts to effectively power an air conditioning system.
4-ton (48,000 BTU) central AC: 8,000-10,500 watts. A 10,000-watt portable is recommended. 5-ton (60,000 BTU) central AC: 9,500-12,000 watts. Opt for a 12,000-watt portable generator.
BTU Rating and Watts
To know how many watts an AC unit consumes, keep in mind that 1 BTU is equivalent to 0.293 Watts. Multiplying a 5000 BTU window AC unit by 0.293 watts would give you the approximate power consumption in watts which is 1,465 Watts (W) or 1.465 kilowatts (kW) per hour.
A portable generator can be a great investment for when the power goes out, or for outdoor activities such as camping or family events. If you've ever wondered if your 2000 watt generator will run an air conditioner, the answer is yes, but only a portable or window air conditioning unit.
The size depends on the type of AC unit. Window units typically require a 2,000–4,000-watt generator, while larger central air conditioners may need at least a 10,000–12,000-watt generator. Always check both the starting and running wattage requirements of your AC to choose the right generator.
Much like if you were to purchase a 3,000-watt generator you could run more devices in your RV, the 2,200-watt generator will work just fine with your AC unit. The 13,500 BTU air conditioner is in the middle of the road and should cool your RV just fine.
Generally, TVs use between 50 to 200 watts (W) of electricity, depending on the model. Most TVs use less than one amp and connect to a 120-volt outlet.
The three biggest drawbacks of a portable system are: They have extremely low energy efficiency: If we take the sample of an 8,000 BTU (250 square feet of cooling power) portable unit with a standard EER, we can expect the unit to consume between 900 and 1100 watts. That's like a microwave running 24/7.
Calculating the correct size generator for what you want to power in your home is really important. If you choose a generator with less power than you need, it can overheat and damage your AC or other appliances.
Will a 12000 Watt Generator Run a House? Yes, a 12,000-watt inverter generator can efficiently run most home appliances, including central AC, heat pump, electric water heater, dishwasher, microwave, and light bulbs.
Will A 9500 Watt Generator Run A House? A best 9500-watt generator can run most household essential devices, such as refrigerators, space heaters, window ACs, microwaves, kettles, lights, etc. It can also run most medium—to large-sized appliances.
To power a 2,000-square-foot house, you typically need a generator between 16,000 to 24,000 watts (16-24kW), with most homeowners finding that a 20kW generator provides optimal coverage. This size range ensures you can maintain essential operations during power outages while avoiding the strain of an overloaded system.
Even the smallest size standby will still provide a lot of power. 10,000 watts is typically enough to power the refrigerator, lights, chargers for phones and computers, an air conditioner, a furnace, and a dishwasher, plus more.
You'll need a transfer switch to power your central AC via generator. A professional electrician or HVAC technician should install a transfer switch. Yes, please! You can plug a portable or window AC with a standard electrical cord right into a generator.
Generally, portable air conditioners can run continuously for 8 to 12 hours, depending on the factors mentioned above. However, it is essential to give your unit some rest to prevent overheating and ensure its longevity. Experts recommend turning off the unit for 15-20 minutes every 3-4 hours of continuous operation.
Heating and cooling: 45-50%
The largest electricity consumer in the average household is your heating and cooling appliance. By a long shot. Central air conditioners and heaters use tons of energy in order to keep your home set to the right temperature.
The average home refrigerator uses between 350-780 watts. Some refrigerators are more energy efficient than others, so you'll want to check the label on yours or look it up online to see how much power it consumes.
Average Wi-Fi routers use between 5 and 20 W of electricity to stay powered. On average, solar panels are rated at around 350 W, meaning you'll be able to power a Wi-Fi router easily with just one solar panel.
Generally, microwaves use between 600 and 1,000 watts (W) of electricity, depending on the model. Microwaves use about ten amps and connect to a 120-volt outlet.
Now that you know the starting wattage of your AC, you can gauge what size generator you'll need. On the 12,250W (3.5-ton) AC we used as an example above, you could get away with a 15kW generator—as long as you're just powering your AC.
Refrigerators and freezers use between 100 and 800 amps per hour. A generator that can deliver at least 2000 starting watts will be sufficient to run both the refrigerator and the freezer without any problems.
10,000 BTUs (1,000 watts): A 2,000-watt generator should work. 13,500 BTUs (1,350 watts): Look for a generator with 2,200 to 3,000 watts. 15,000 BTUs (1,500 watts): Larger AC units need a 3,000 to 4,000-watt generator.