A Guide to Choosing the Right Generator Size for Your Business

A Guide to Choosing the Right Generator Size for Your Business

Choosing the right generator for your business means taking several factors into account. Few things are more important to consider when choosing your generator than whether it’s the right size for your business. Sizing your generator correctly means maximizing efficiency without skyrocketing costs. Keep on reading to find out how to make sure you find the perfect commercial generator.

Why You Need to Think About Size


Why not just choose a small generator for your business? It shouldn’t make that much of a difference, and all generators do the same thing anyway, right? Wrong.

In reality, generator size is one of the essential features you must take into account when shopping for one. Generators aren’t sized according to their surface area; they’re sized in kilowatts (kW), which describes their electrical capacity. In short: the smaller a generator, the lower its electrical capacity.

Choosing a too-small generator could cause long-term damage both to the generator itself and to the electronics and appliances in your business. At the same time, choosing a generator that’s too large will cause excessive operation, maintenance, and electrical costs. This means that, when choosing the right generator for your business, the goal is to be like Goldilocks and find what fits just right.

Take Inventory


The first step to choosing the right generator size for your business is to create a master list of all the electronics and appliances you’ll need to stay on during a power outage. Don’t forget essential (but often overlooked) things like your business’s air conditioner and water heater.

Calculate the Wattage


As you take inventory of your appliances, determine the wattage of each item on your list. You can find this by consulting an online calculator, looking at the product description provided by each manufacturer, and/or consulting with an expert.

The wattage of each item basically describes the amount of electricity it will require in order to stay on. You need to sum up the wattage of each item on your list. This final number will be the amount of electrical output your generator must be capable of producing.

Talk to an Expert


Once you’ve accounted for the wattage you’ll need, the need step is to meet with an expert you can trust to provide honest advice and insight into your generator options. It’s highly advisable that you meet with a professional who deals only with generators. This will help guarantee the highest degrees of specialization and expertise.


Choosing the right generator size for your business is definitely a process, but it’s a worthwhile one. By taking the steps outlined above, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect generator for your business. To learn more about choosing the best generator to fit your company’s unique needs, click here.

Always Free Estimates & Proposals