What will a 4,000 watt generator run
22 of 25 common home loads run on their own with a generator of 4,000 watts. Whether a pump or an air conditioner starts up depends on starting watts, which run about 5,000.
Loads that run on a 4,000 watt generator
| Load | Running | Starting | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 400 W | 1,200 W | runs |
| Chest or upright freezer | 500 W | 1,000 W | runs |
| Sump pump, 1/3 hp | 800 W | 1,600 W | runs |
| Sump pump, 1/2 hp | 1,050 W | 2,150 W | runs |
| Well pump, 1/2 hp | 1,000 W | 2,000 W | runs |
| Well pump, 1 hp | 2,000 W | 4,000 W | runs |
| Window AC, 5,000 BTU | 600 W | 1,200 W | runs |
| Window AC, 10,000 BTU | 1,200 W | 2,400 W | runs |
| Electric water heater | 4,500 W | no surge | won't run |
| Electric dryer | 6,000 W | no surge | won't run |
| Electric range, one burner | 2,400 W | no surge | runs |
| Dishwasher | 2,400 W | no surge | runs |
| Microwave | 1,200 W | no surge | runs |
| Washing machine | 1,000 W | 2,300 W | runs |
| Space heater | 1,500 W | no surge | runs |
| TV, 32 to 55 in | 400 W | no surge | runs |
| LED lights, 10 bulbs | 150 W | no surge | runs |
| Ceiling fan | 75 W | no surge | runs |
| Window fan | 200 W | no surge | runs |
| CPAP, no heated humidifier | 60 W | no surge | runs |
| CPAP with heated humidifier | 120 W | no surge | runs |
| Internet router and modem | 20 W | no surge | runs |
| Home security system | 40 W | no surge | runs |
| Phone and laptop chargers | 100 W | no surge | runs |
| EV charger, Level 2, 32 A | 7,680 W | no surge | won't run |
A load works if its running watts stay within 4,000 W and its start stays within 5,000 W; "tight" means running above 3,200 W. Look at your own model's label to find its starting watts. Champion's published chart lists these wattages at the top of the range. The appliance wattage chart lists more loads.
1 more of these loads runs on a 5,000 watt generator, and the electric water heater is one of them.
Loads run together
| Together | Running | Peak at start | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fridge, freezer, lights, router, TV | 1,470 W | 2,270 W | runs |
| Fridge, 1/2 hp sump pump, lights, router | 1,620 W | 2,720 W | runs |
| Fridge, 1 hp well pump, microwave, lights | 3,750 W | 5,750 W | won't run |
| Fridge, window AC 10,000 BTU, lights, TV | 2,150 W | 3,350 W | runs |
| Fridge, space heater, microwave, lights | 3,250 W | 4,050 W | tight |
Motors starting one at a time let running watts add up, so only the biggest starting wattage counts on top.
Gasoline used per hour
$4.269 a gallon is the EIA US average price for gasoline. Keep a portable generator outside, 20 ft from the house, and hook it up with an interlock kit or a transfer switch, not a dryer outlet.