

Remember: Don't just add up the total wattage for everything you want to power. See our section on power management to learn how to use a smaller generator to power more.
Please note: All of these wattage amounts are based on what an average appliance of the type indicated uses. This chart is intended to be used purely as a guideline. You will need to check your own appliances for actual amounts.
Domestic Applications | Approximate Starting Wattage | Approximate Running Wattage |
Fridge or Freezer | 1200 | 130 - 200 |
Microwave: 650 watts | 1000 | 1000 |
800 watts | 1300 | 1300 |
1000 watts | 1500 | 1500 |
House lights | as indicated on bulb (e.g 60W) | as indicated on bulb (e.g 60W) |
Flat Screen TV: 30 inch | 120 | 120 |
Flat screen TV: 50 inch | 190 | 190 |
Dishwasher | 540 | 220 |
Vacuum Cleaner | 800 | 800 |
Electric Fry Pan | 1500 | 1500 |
Electric Range (20cm) | 2100 | 2100 |
Dryer | 6750 | 5400 |
Laptop | 250 | 250 |
Desktop | 800 | 800 |
Computer monitor | 30 | 30 |
Hot water heater | 4500 | 4500 |
Garage door opener | 1420 | 720 |
Hair Dryer (1600 watts) | 1900 | 1800 |
Campervan fridge | 600 | 180 |
Slow cooker | 250 | 250 |
DVD player | 350 | 350 |
Portable fan | 120 | 40 |
Industrial Applications | Approximate Starting Wattage | Approximate Running Wattage |
Air compressor 1/2 hp | 1600 | 975 |
1 hp | 4500 | 1600 |
Bench grinder (20cm) | 2500 | 1400 |
Circular saw (7 1/4 inch) | 2300 | 1400 |
Demolition hammer | 1260 | 1260 |
Drills 3/8 inch 4 amps | 600 | 440 |
Drills 1/2 inch 5.4 amps | 900 | 600 |
Electric chainsaw (14 inch bar) | 1100 | 1100 |
Hand drill | 900 | 600 |
High pressure washer (1 hp) | 3600 | 1200 |
Rotary hammer | 3600 | 1800 |
Table saw (10 inch) | 4500 | 1800 |
Farming Applications | Approximate Starting Wattage | Approximate Running Wattage |
Electric Fence (40km) | 250 | 250 |
Milk cooler | 1800 | 1100 |
Milker (vacuum pump, 2hp) | 3500 | 2300 |