It is feasible to operate a window-mounted AC on a generator, however it all relies on the BTU specifications. Once the BTU has been determined, you may choose a portable generator with the appropriate peak and operating watts. Smaller generators may be able to power smaller air conditioners, but they may not be able to power your refrigerator and other appliances. You ought to invest in a generator that is large enough to power both your air conditioner and other vital equipment in your home.
What size generator will you need for an air conditioner?
Window air conditioners typically have BTU ratings ranging from 5000 to 12000. A domestic central air conditioning unit’s normal range is up to 5 tons for dwellings with an average size of up to 5000 square feet. Add the wattage of the appliances and systems you want to power to determine the generator size you need. Keep in mind that extra surge watts are required to start the air conditioner up, while operating watts should be sufficient to keep the AC unit running.
Smaller generators will only be able to power relatively small air conditioners and may not be able to power your refrigerator and various other appliances at the same time. You must ensure that your generator is the correct size for your air conditioner. If not, your air conditioner will not function correctly.
I recommend that you should have a generator with about 10000 watts or more of peak starting power to run your air conditioner and other home equipment. For example, the Westinghouse WGen12000DF is a large dual fuel portable generator that produces up to 15000 peak surge watts when powered by gasoline, and 13500 starting watts when powered by propane (click here to read my WGen12000DF review).
Will a portable generator run an air conditioner?
A generator with a power output of roughly 2500 watts should be adequate to power a modest window air conditioner. However, if you wish to operate additional appliances in addition to the air conditioner, 2500 watts would not suffice.
In that instance, a 10000-watt generator will offer enough electricity to run most air conditioners as well as a few other appliances in your home. Of course, a big portable generator, or perhaps a home standby generator, will produce enough power to run a large air conditioner as well as other appliances.
Central air conditioners, on the other hand, will require a large amount of surge watts from the generator to start, even if they may only require between 3000 and 4000 watts for normal operation. You will most likely require a large and powerful portable generator with a peak starting output of greater than 10000 watts.
How big of a generator do I need for my air conditioner?
During an outage, running a generator is likely the only method to power your air conditioner. When the electricity goes out, you’ll need at least a 5000-watt generator to keep your air conditioner running smoothly. Of course, you’ll want to operate more than just your air conditioner during a power outage, so add a few thousand watts to power your other electrical devices and smart gadgets.
You will likely be unable to turn on your air conditioner if you do not get the appropriate size generator, and you may even overload the generator. A 15000 BTU air conditioner, for example, needs a generator with at least a 7500-watt output. The generator you require, however, is going to be determined by the size, capacity, and effectiveness of the air conditioner unit.
Can a small generator run a 5000 BTU air conditioner?
A 5000 BTU AC unit is a common choice for cooling off a room or home office when it comes to air conditioners. A small backup generator can power a 5000 BTU window AC. However, an air conditioner requires a lot of electricity, so you usually can’t use your generator for other things at the same time. In general, a 5000-watt generator is required to power a small air conditioner window unit, and a 10000-watt generator is required to run a whole-house air conditioner.
A 5000 BTU model is an excellent choice if you need a window air conditioner that will put the least amount of strain on your generator. The air conditioning unit should be rated to consume less than 1000 operating watts and include a low voltage starting function to limit the surge wattage required during startup. As a result, compact 5000 BTU air conditioners may be powered by portable generators with power outputs ranging from 2500 to 5000 watts.
What size generator is required for a 12000 BTU air conditioner?
The wattage of the portable generator should be more than the wattage of the air conditioner that you plan to operate. In particular, some 12000 BTU window-mounted air conditioners may require up to 5000 watts to start. As a result, you may require a generator with more than 5000 starting watts, such as this Briggs & Stratton Q6500 portable inverter generator.
A 6000-watt portable generator might run a 12,000 BTU air conditioner. Any air conditioner with a capacity greater than 15000 BTU will require a generator with a capacity greater than 6000 watts to keep it operating during a protracted power outage.
A central air conditioning unit’s normal capacity ranges between 1 and 5 tons. This is for residences ranging in size from 1000 to 5000 square feet. The wattage needed to power a 5-ton AC unit is probably more than 10000 watts. For example, the Generac GP17500E is a 17500-watt portable generator that should have no trouble with starting and running a 5-ton central air conditioner.