How to Choose the Right Generator Size for Your Home in Central PA
Getting Backup Power Right the First Time
One of the most common mistakes homeowners make when buying a generator is choosing the wrong size. Too small and it won't power what you need during an outage. Too large and you've overpaid for more than your home requires.
At Faithful Connections Electric, we help homeowners across York County and Central Pennsylvania choose and install the right generator for their specific situation — not just what's on sale at the big box store.
Why Generator Sizing Matters
Generators are rated in kilowatts (kW). The right size for your home depends on what you need to run during an outage, how your home is powered, and whether you want whole-home coverage or just the essentials.
Getting this wrong upfront is an expensive mistake — generators aren't easy to swap out once they're installed and connected to your transfer switch and fuel supply.
Step 1: Decide What You Need to Power
Most homeowners fall into one of two categories:
Essential circuits only:
Refrigerator
A few lights
Well pump (if applicable)
Phone/internet charging
One or two bedroom circuits
Whole-home coverage:
All of the above, plus
HVAC system (heating and cooling)
Electric water heater or well pump
Home office equipment
Kitchen appliances
What you choose to power determines the minimum generator size you need.
Step 2: Account for Starting vs. Running Wattage
Some appliances — especially anything with a motor like an HVAC system, well pump, or refrigerator — require significantly more power to start than to run. This surge load needs to be factored into your generator sizing or it will trip the generator offline when those appliances kick on.
This is one of the reasons professional sizing matters. A licensed electrician can calculate your actual load requirements rather than guessing.
Step 3: Consider Your Fuel Source
Whole-home standby generators typically run on natural gas or propane. The fuel source affects:
Generator placement on your property
Tank size if you're using propane
Coordination with your gas provider
Long-term operating costs
We work with homeowners to factor fuel availability into the installation plan before any equipment is purchased.
Common Generator Sizes for Residential Use
As a general guide:
10–14 kW — essential circuits for a smaller home, no HVAC
16–20 kW — whole-home coverage for most average-sized homes
22–24 kW+ — larger homes, electric HVAC, well pumps, and higher electrical loads
Every home is different. A proper load calculation is the only way to size a generator accurately for your specific situation.
Serving York County & Central Pennsylvania
Faithful Connections Electric provides generator sizing consultations and full installations throughout:
York
Manchester Borough
East Manchester Township
Red Lion
Dallastown
Spring Grove
Surrounding Central PA communities
Not Sure What Size You Need?
We're happy to walk through your home's electrical load and give you a clear recommendation before you buy anything.
Contact Faithful Connections Electric today for a free generator sizing consultation in York County or Central Pennsylvania.
