Wattage Estimation Guide
Common Power Wattage
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.
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Approximate Starting Wattage | Approximate Running Wattage | |
| Electric Fence (40km) | 250 | 250 |
| Milk cooler | 1800 | 1100 |
| Milker (vacuum pump, 2hp) | 3500 | 2300 |