A whole-house generator (also called a 家 备用发电机) is permanently installed outside your home and automatically restores power during an outage. It connects to your electrical panel through an 自动转换开关 and runs on natural gas or propane — no extension cords, no fueling, no manual setup. Here’s how to determine the right size and features for your home.
Sizing a Whole-House Generator
Most homes need between 12kW and 25kW for true whole-house coverage. The exact size depends on your electrical panel size, HVAC system, and which appliances you want to run simultaneously. A professional load calculation is strongly recommended — most generator dealers offer free on-site assessments.
Quick Sizing Guide by Home Size
| 房屋面积 | AC Size | 推荐发电机 | What It Powers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000-1,500 平方英尺 | Window units or no AC | 10-12千瓦 | All essentials including window AC |
| 1,500-2,500 平方英尺 | 2.5-3 ton central AC | 14-17千瓦 | Whole house including central AC |
| 2,500-3,500 平方英尺 | 3-4 ton central AC | 18-22千瓦 | Whole house with electric dryer |
| 3,500+ 平方英尺 | 4-5 ton central AC | 22-25千瓦+ | Everything including dual HVAC zones |
天然气与. Propane for Whole-House 发电机
Natural gas is the most popular fuel for whole-house generators because it’s supplied through underground pipelines — you never need to refill a tank or worry about running out. If natural gas isn’t available in your area, propane is the alternative. A 500-gallon propane tank (filled to 80% = 400 gallons usable) will run a 20kW generator at half load for approximately 8-10 天.
安装要求
- Electrical permit — Required by most jurisdictions; your installer handles this
- 自动的 转换开关 — Usually included with the generator; must be installed by a licensed electrician
- Gas line — Licensed plumber runs gas from your meter to the generator; meter upgrade may be needed
- Concrete pad — Generator sits on a level concrete or composite pad; some brands include a mounting pad
- Clearance — 3-5 feet from walls, 5 feet from windows and combustible materials (varies by model and local code)
- HOA approval — Check homeowners association rules before installation
For industrial and commercial whole-building backup power, 华泉动力柴油发电机组 range from 20kW to 2,000kW with automatic 转换开关 一体化.
