A 7kw Standby Generator Handles All Your Essentials
Any homeowner with a 7kw standby generator is protected during power outages, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In contrast to portable generators, there’s no need to refuel, no need to manually start, and no need for cords.
Connected to natural gas or liquid propane, small whole-house generators provide power to your electrical system on-demand. Fortunately, you can purchase a smaller generator using less fuel to only back up your essentials, not your entire house.
This saves you money over the long term. A right-sized generator keeps food cold, prevents flooding, maintains comfortable indoor temperatures, and provides all the lighting you need. Even if you work at home, a small backup generator will meet your most basic needs.
Just know that if you use multiple high-wattage appliances at once, a potential start-up surge could overload your generator. You’ll want to avoid this from the very beginning. Make sure your 7-kilowatt generator’s capacity aligns with your home’s essential appliances by consulting a qualified electrician.
Know What You’re Powering with a 7kw Standby Generator
A kilowatt is a unit-of-power measurement of electricity being transferred, with a 7kw standby generator handling smaller amounts than others. Kilowatts represent the amount of electricity consumed per unit of time, usually estimated in hours.
Depending on your home’s size and what you want to power during an outage, generators come in different kilowatt ranges:
- A home of up to 2,000 square feet can survive on a backup generator that’s 7 kilowatts to 15 kilowatts.
- 17 kilowatts to 22 kilowatts generators can usually provide plenty of power for homes between 2,000 and 3,500 square feet.
- A 25 kilowatts to 48 kilowatts generator is used in homes that are 3,500 square feet or larger.
A larger home naturally consumes more power, which affects your kilowatt requirements. There are appliances that consume more energy than others, such as electric water heaters and clothes dryers. If you want to run all your appliances during a power outage, you’ll need a larger generator.
However, this isn’t necessary, depending on your preferences and personal circumstances.
A Breakdown of What 7 Kilowatts Can Power
A 7kw standby generator targets essential appliances and devices so you can survive without interruption during any power outage. More than likely, you can power a refrigerator, freezer, lights, furnace, and maybe a sump pump.
Refrigerators typically consume between 100 and 300 watts of electricity. Similarly, freezers are also continuously powered, taking 150 – 500 watts.
On the smaller end of the spectrum are energy-efficient LED lights. They only consume 5 – 10 watts per bulb.
In basements or crawl spaces, sump pumps are essential to prevent flooding, especially during heavy rainfall or snow-melts. Depending on the size and pump type, your wattage consumption ranges between 180 and 750 watts.
While a 7-kilowatt home backup generator cannot run an electric furnace, it can typically run a gas furnace’s blower motor. You can at least maintain comfortable temperatures, as these HVAC air blowers consume only 100 – 300 watts.
Homeowners must prioritize their needs when they consider what could hypothetically happen during a power outage. This includes keeping food fresh, as well as ensuring your personal safety, security, a convenient temperature, and flood prevention. Maybe you just want to charge your digital devices and keep your internet running. Cooking simple meals would also fall under this category if you have a tabletop stove that plugs into the wall.
You can always decide to keep things simple. Focusing on your household’s basic needs with a 7-kilowatt generator promotes resourcefulness and adaptability during any challenging blackout situation.
Everything Needed to Install a 7kw Standby Generator
Choosing and installing your 7kw standby generator will still require professional help. A transfer switch, concrete pad, permit paperwork, fuel equipment, and other parts and materials are all included in this process.
“A portable generator capable of producing between 1 – 6 Kw costs around $500 to $1,800,” states an article in Bankrate. “A generator that produces between 14 – 18 Kw, perfect for important components in medium-sized homes, runs between $4,000 to $5,500. Generators that produce 26 – 32 Kw, enough for an entire medium to large home, runs between $6,500 – $15,000.”
This shows how a 7-kilowatt generator can be the sweet spot for many homeowners and small business owners. They’re less expensive upfront, but offer other benefits. A 7-killowatt generator uses less fuel than larger models since they have smaller engines and lower electrical output. Because of this, smaller generators produce more electricity from a unit of fuel, stretching your resources.
Obviously, a 7-kilowatt generator wouldn’t be suitable for any situation. In extreme hot or cold climates, some homeowners have to get creative during electrical blackouts.
That’s why choosing the right generator dealership and technician is important, as the entire process requires careful planning. Consulting a highly qualified, reputable, local generator dealer-contractor is recommended. You can make sure a small generator can safely power your basic needs, whether it’s for your family or business.
To run one of these generators for 24 hours in test-mode, it usually costs only $5 or $10 a month. It may cost $20 – $35 per day to run your small backup generator at 50 percent during any power outage. Your daily expenses will be higher if your running capacity is at 100 percent. Your fuel source, whether a propane tank or natural utility gas, will determine your exact fuel costs.
How it All Works: The Electrical Transfer and a Cushion
A 7kw standby generator only needs to produce enough power to keep your basic electrical devices running in an emergency. However, many homeowners like to cushion their situation with a 20-percent buffer.
“Extra power means the engine doesn’t have to operate at top speed to meet expected demand,” says This Old House. “It also assures there’s enough reserve power for the extra surge that electric motors need to get started.” These motors are in air conditioners and refrigerators.
When the power goes out, an automatic transfer switch shuts off the main supply and jumpstarts your backup generator. It then directs electricity to emergency circuits. When the utility company restores power, a transfer switch shuts down the generator and reconnects your house to the grid.
Prior to purchasing a standby generator, make sure your city’s building inspector approves the location if needed. A local dealership can help you navigate the entire process. Generators emit carbon monoxide, like all internal combustion engines, so they should be located away from doors and windows.
“Noise is another factor,” according to the article mentioned above. “A generator can pump out 60 to 80 decibels, about the level of loud road noise. You and your neighbors probably won’t begrudge the racket when there’s a power outage. But those once-a-week exercise sessions, which the engine and battery need to stay in shape, can become a serious annoyance. Have the installer set the exercise time to a neighborhood-friendly hour. Planting evergreens or a fence around the unit also helps screen the noise.”
7kw Standby Generator: A Small Price to Pay in the Long Run
Remember this: Investing in a 7kw standby generator is like buying an insurance policy that you hope you’ll never need.
What’s nice is, generators last 15 years or more, which mitigates that cost. Home generators like the Generac 7kw are popular for a reason. Besides their reliability and efficiency, they are extremely affordable over their entire lifespan.
Do your homework and make the right decision for your household. It’s a small price to pay for keeping your family or business safe when the lights and internet go out.
W. Danley Electrical
At W. Danley Electrical, we excel in 7kw standby generator options. We assist you throughout the entire process of preparing for installation, as well as obtaining permits, inspections, and assisting with repair and maintenance. We help you optimize and fine-tune your situation and determine the correct generator size. Let us help you get the most out of your investment.