A refrigerator and freezer are two of the most common appliances that people use in their homes. If you are considering buying a generator, you may be wondering what size generator you need to run a refrigerator and freezer.
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Introduction
A generator is a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. Generators are used in wind turbines, hydroelectric power plants, and internal combustion engines. The prime mover may be a steam turbine, water turbine, gasoline engine, or diesel engine. Electric generators were first used during the era of direct current (DC) electricity generation at the end of the 19th century.
The first DC generators were developed by Michael Faraday in 1831 and 1832. His machine converted mechanical energy into direct current electricity by using a copper disk that rotated between the poles of a horseshoe-shaped magnet. The development of ac generators was pioneered by Nikola Tesla in 1885.
Today, most electric power is generated by large scale thermal (coal, natural gas, nuclear) or hydroelectric power plants. However, there is an increasing demand for distributed generation of electric power, especially in remote areas where the grid is not accessible or reliable. Off-grid applications such as remote cabins and RVs often rely on portable generators to provide electric power.
The size of generator you need to run a refrigerator and freezer depends on the make and model of the appliances, as well as their energy efficiency rating. Generally speaking, you will need a generator that can produce at least 1,500 watts to run a fridge and 3,000 watts to run a freezer.
What Size Generator Do You Need to Run a Refrigerator and Freezer?
A generator can help keep your food from spoiling if the power goes out. But how do you know what size generator you need to run a refrigerator and freezer? Let’s take a look at some factors that you’ll need to consider.
Running a Refrigerator
For a refrigerator, you need a generator that can produce at least 700 watts of power. Keep in mind that, if you want to be able to run other appliances at the same time, you’ll need a generator that can produce more power.
Running a Freezer
The average American household freezer contains about 9 cubic feet of space, and uses about 725 watts of power. A freezer will use about the same amount of power whether it is empty or full, so you don’t need to worry about that.
Most generators will have a wattage rating (ex. 5000 watts). This is the maximum amount of power that the generator can produce. To calculate the minimum size generator you would need to run your freezer, simply divide the wattage by 1000 and round up. So, for a 5000 watt generator, you would need a 5500 watt (5.5 kw) generator to run your freezer.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that you need at least 1000 watts to start and run a fridge or freezer. If you only want to run one or the other, you can get away with a bit less power, but it’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to generators.
Of course, this is just a general guide. The best way to determine what size generator you need is to use a wattage estimation calculator like the one provided by manufacturer Generac. With this handy tool, you can input the specific make and model of your appliances, as well as any other devices you want to power, and it will give you a tailored estimate of how much power you need.
