What is the difference between 30 amp and 50 amp generators?

Customers commonly ask me, what is the difference between a 30 amp and 50 amp generator? What can I power with a 50 amp generator that I could not power with a 30 amp generator? What can I realistically expect to be able to power with a 30 amp generator? Maybe I really do need a 50 amp generator?

(FYI: 30 amps = 7000 watts, 50 amps = 12000 watts)

Generally speaking, if you would like to run your central air conditioner, you will need a 50 amp generator. With that said, I have customers who have powered a small central air conditioner with a 30 amp generator. That is the reason I always say to have an electrician take a reading of your home’s electrical usage and readings of your central air conditioners. Estimating your electrical usage by reading the labels on your appliances is like taking your temperature with the back of your hand! Not very accurate! Discuss installing a “hard start relay” on your central air conditioner with your electrician. Installing a “hard start relay” is less than $20 to free up some electricity from your generator, and it will save you on your electric bill as well.

Fuel efficiency and propane (LPG) fuel storage limitations might make running a 30 amp generator more appealing. A 30 amp generator consumes almost half the fuel of a 50 amp generator. When you are in an emergency power outage and fuel is scarce, a smaller generator will run longer with less fuel than a large generator. On the other hand, those with natural gas supply lines are not concerned with running out of fuel.

If you are “off the grid” and need to charge your battery bank when the sun is not strong, like the winter, then a 30 amp generator will be more than plenty. I live “off the grid” and when the sun isn’t strong enough I use the SG7000AA to charge our battery bank, run the well, pressurize the house, run the refrigerator, charge our electronics and have plenty of power to spare. We do not have air conditioning here and our appliances are very efficient so our electrical usage is very low. If you are not intending on running your central air conditioning or do not have central air then chances are a 30 amp generator is perfect to power your home.

Our Smart Generators are Made in the USA using HONDA engines and 10,000 hour maintenance free Mecc Alte alternators.

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