What Happens If You Install an Oversized or Undersized Home Generator?

Choosing the right size generator for your home is crucial. An undersized generator won't provide enough power for the entire home, which can lead to issues like malfunctioning appliances or flickering lights. On the other hand, an oversized generator wastes fuel and costs more to buy and maintain.

Here’s why sizing your generator correctly is important and how to pick the right one for your home.

Understanding Generator Sizing

Determining the right backup generator for your home starts with understanding essential versus non-essential loads.

• Essential loads: Things that are necessary for safety and well-being, such as heaters, air conditioning units, electric stoves, water heaters, refrigeration, sump pumps, well pumps, and medical equipment.
• Non-essential loads: Items that are more about comfort and convenience, like pool pumps or entertainment systems.  

Homeowners also need to consider your home’s starting (surge) watt requirements and running watt power needs (total wattage). Starting watts is the surge wattage to start up appliances with motors or compressors, like HVAC units or refrigerators. Running watts is the amount of electricity to keep appliances running. Starting wattage is typically significantly higher than running wattage. 

For a consultation on generator installation in Southern California, contact your local NEXGEN team at (888) 377-6136.   

Common Power Requirements for Your Home

While specific needs vary, here's a general idea of wattage requirements for common household appliances:

Future-proofing is also important to consider when choosing a new whole house emergency generator. Think about new appliances, remodels, or major life changes, such as new home additions or a growing family.

In addition, each fuel type has different storage space and safety requirements, particularly propane or diesel generators. Depending on existing infrastructure, natural gas may be a viable option.

Check local building codes and zoning regulations to see if permits are required for certain generator sizes or fuel types. Keep in mind that some areas may have noise restrictions that affect generator placement and size.

Consequences of Installing an Oversized Generator

Although it’s easy to assume that “more is better,” buying too big of a generator can lead to a host of expensive problems.

• Higher Upfront Cost: An oversized generator costs more because it’s built for a bigger load, which you may not need unless you plan to expand your home. You're essentially paying for a larger amount of power you won't use.
• Fuel Inefficiency: Generators work best at 50-75% of their capacity. Running an oversized one below optimal range wastes fuel and leads to higher operating costs over time.
• Increased Wear and Tear: Running a generator below its capacity (light loading) leads to incomplete fuel combustion, causing carbon build-up, oil contamination, and damage to internal parts. This increases maintenance and repair costs.
• Wet Stacking: Diesel generators running at low loads can experience “wet stacking,” where unburned fuel builds up in the exhaust, which reduces efficiency, causes damage, and increases emissions.
• Noise Pollution: Oversized generators may run at higher RPMs even under light loads, creating more noise, which can disturb you and your neighbors.

Consequences of Installing an Undersized Generator

Choosing a generator that's too small can have several negative effects that may impact your comfort, convenience, safety, and finances.

• Inadequate Capacity: An undersized generator won’t power all essential appliances during an outage, forcing you to choose between critical systems like heating, cooling, or refrigeration.
• Overheating Risk: Pushing a generator past its limits can cause overheating, circuit breaker trips, or a complete shutdown, leaving you without power and potentially damaging the generator.
• Accelerated Wear and Tear: Running a generator near its maximum capacity strains its components, leading to faster wear, more frequent repairs, and a shorter lifespan.
• Voltage Instability: Undersized generators struggle to maintain stable voltage and frequency, which can damage sensitive electronics and lead to costly repairs after the outage.
• Inability to Handle Long Outages: Small generators may not keep up during prolonged outages, leaving you without backup power for days during critical times.

The Importance of Professional Sizing and Installation

It might be tempting to go the DIY route, but professional electricians like NEXGEN have the knowledge and experience to help you choose the right generator for your home. We’ll assess your home’s power needs to make sure you get the correct size for maximum efficiency.

Southern California's unique climate and potential for power outages due to wildfires, earthquakes, or other natural events should be considered when picking a home standby generator. As locals, we understand these factors and can recommend the best types of generators to handle the region's specific challenges during a blackout.

Navigating building codes, zoning restrictions, and permitting requirements can be tricky. We’ll make sure your generator installation follows all relevant regulations to avoid fines or safety hazards.

Incorrect installation can lead to serious safety risks, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, electrical fires, or equipment damage. You can trust our certified technicians to install your generator correctly with proper ventilation, grounding, and electrical connections for optimal performance and peace of mind.

Ready to Get Your Correct Generator Sizing?

Natural disasters like earthquakes and wildfires can happen at any time and cause sudden power outages. There's no time like today to contact NEXGEN for a customized whole-house generator solution.

The NEXGEN team will start with a comprehensive home energy assessment to understand your current and future needs. Our experts will recommend the best generator with Southern California’s specific requirements in mind. From local codes and regulations to the best fuel options available, NEXGEN provides expert installation and helpful ongoing maintenance to keep your generator in top shape.

Ready to experience the peace of mind that a home generator brings? Contact us today to get started.