What size generator do you actually need?
Skip the guesswork and the upsell. Tell us about your home, and we’ll show you the right kW range — sized for real Twin Cities winters, not a sales quota.
Size your generator
Move the sliders, tap the toggles. Your live recommendation updates as you go — no email, no phone number, no spam.
Covers your full panel including AC, well, and essentials with a buffer for cold-weather starts.
What size means in practice
Generators come in standard sizes. Here’s a real-world look at what each tier handles.
Furnace blower, fridge, lights, internet. Skips central AC.
- Small homes < 1,500 sq ft
- Cabin & rural backup
- Won’t run AC
Covers most of the panel with managed AC startup. Smart load shedding.
- 1,500–2,500 sq ft
- One central AC
- Gas furnace + standard loads
The Twin Cities sweet spot. Runs AC, well, sump, range — everything at once.
- 2,500–4,000 sq ft
- Two AC units possible
- Most popular pick
For all-electric homes, big estates, or homes with EV + hot tub + heat pump.
- 4,000+ sq ft
- Heat pump or electric heat
- Multiple high-draw loads
Twin Cities homes we’ve sized
Three real examples from the past year. Names changed; loads are accurate.
1980s rambler, gas heat, single AC
- Gas furnace + 2.5-ton AC
- Sump pump (basement)
- Standard kitchen, no EV
2010 build, two-zone AC, well water
- Two central AC units
- Well + sump pump
- Electric range, gas water heater
Custom build, heat pump, EV charger
- Heat pump w/ electric backup
- Two AC + hot tub
- Tesla Wall Connector + sauna
What sizing actually depends on
Square footage is a starting point, not the answer. Here’s what we look at.
Starting wattage, not running
AC compressors, well pumps, and big motors pull 2–3× their running wattage at startup. Undersized generators trip on the spike — even if they could “run” the load.
Cold weather margin
Twin Cities winters demand 15-25% more from a generator than the spec sheet says. We size for the night the storm rolls through and the temp drops to -10°F.
Load management changes the math
Modern Generac & Kohler units shed non-critical loads automatically, so you can run a 22 kW where you’d otherwise need 26 kW. We spec smart whenever it saves you money.
Fuel type matters
Natural gas runs 10–12% lower kW than propane on the same generator. If you’re on LP, we factor that in. If you’re switching, we’ll quote both.
Generator sizing FAQ
Can I just go by square footage?
What happens if my generator is too small?
Is bigger always better?
How much does a 22 kW Generac cost installed in the Twin Cities?
Do you recommend Generac or Kohler?
Will the generator run my whole house, or just the essentials?
How long does the generator run during an outage?
How do I know your sizing is honest, not upsold?
Want a real load calc, not a guess?
Free in-home assessment, written quote during the visit, valid 30 days. We measure your actual circuits.
