What size generator do i need for home backup?
Check, uncheck or adjust the typical device list below — watts, startup surge and battery size update instantly. Numbers come from U.S. DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer spec sheets, not marketing copy.
1. Check what you need to power
Refrigeration & Freezers
- 1
Kitchen
- 1
Heating, Cooling & Fans
Water & Pumps
- 1
Laundry & Cleaning
Electronics & Office
- 1
Medical Devices
Power Tools & Outdoor
Lighting
- 4
2. Your sizing
3. Best cross-brand matches
- Anker SOLIX F3800
- surge 9,000W covers your 4,585W start peak
- 1.4 days of your typical daily use (3,840Wh / 2,695Wh)
- EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3~$2,799
- surge 8,000W covers your 4,585W start peak
- 1.5 days of your typical daily use (4,096Wh / 2,695Wh)
Static answer (crawlable summary)
Typical device list: Refrigerator (top-freezer, ~16 cu ft)×1, Router + Modem×1, LED Bulb (60W equivalent)×4, Microwave Oven×1, Sump Pump (1/3 HP)×1, Phone / Smartphone Charger×3, TV (43-inch LED)×1.
| Continuous load | 2,385 W |
|---|---|
| Startup peak | 4,585 W (driven by 1× Sump Pump (1/3 HP)) |
| Daily energy use | 2,695 Wh |
| Recommended capacity | 3,370 Wh (25% margin included) |
| Minimum inverter | 2,630 W continuous |
Frequently asked questions
What size generator do i need for home backup?
For a typical setup (refrigerator (top-freezer, ~16 cu ft), router + modem, led bulb (60w equivalent), microwave oven and sump pump (1/3 hp)), you need at least 2,385W of continuous power. The single biggest moment is startup: when 1× sump pump (1/3 hp) kicks on, the momentary draw peaks at 4,585W. For overnight runtime we recommend at least 3,370Wh of battery capacity (your devices use about 2,695Wh per day, plus a 25% margin).
Which power stations can handle this?
Based on published specs, Anker SOLIX F3800, EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 all cover the 4,585W startup peak and give you 1.4 days / 1.5 days of typical daily use. Check the comparison cards above for the full numbers.
Why is the startup surge higher than the running watts?
Motor-driven devices (fridge compressors, well pumps, air conditioners) draw 2-5× their running power for a split second at startup — measured as locked-rotor amps (LRA). A generator that only meets the running load will trip or stall when the biggest motor starts. Our data sources: U.S. DOE Energy Saver, ENERGY STAR certified product database, and manufacturer spec sheets (Franklin Electric, Goodman, Zoeller).