In general, a generator with at least 2000 starting watts should be able to run a refrigerator without trouble. Of course, you must also include the wattage of any other appliances beyond the refrigerator or freezer that you may wish to power during an outage. An average-sized refrigerator or freezer, for example, uses many more watts to start up its compressor than it does to keep itself operating. You will know exactly what size generator you need to run your fridge in the case of a power loss based on this.
How big of a generator do I need to power a refrigerator and freezer?
In general, the start-up watts of a refrigerator and freezer can range between 200 and 2000 watts. A 1000-watt generator, for example, may generate enough electricity to run a mini-fridge without shutting down. However, it is advised that you use at least a 3000-watt generator to avoid overloading the generator and having trouble starting the fridge.
Keep in mind that some of your home’s electric appliances may not have the starting wattage listed on their information tags. Electricity requirements vary greatly, and older refrigerators and freezers may consume twice as much electricity as a modern energy-efficient model of the same size.
Choosing The Right Generator For Your Refrigerator
First, determine how much power your refrigerator or freezer consumes. The amps, volts, or watts that the appliance needs may be found in the product handbook (assuming you still have it) or on a label inside the refrigerator. Alternatively, you might look for the model number on the manufacturer’s website and see if you can acquire the information from a webpage or download an owner’s handbook.
Overall, the wattage of the generator you require is determined by the size, brand, and features of your refrigerator. While most modern refrigerators need roughly 500 watts of power, many older refrigerators would require more than 1000 watts to turn on their compressors. Nonetheless, the minimum generator capacity to power most refrigerators is around 2000 watts: this should be enough to overcome the compressor’s starting watts.
Conclusion
To start up and run frequently, a typical refrigerator requires less than 2000 starting watts. While you can power your refrigerator with a standard portable generator, a portable inverter generator gives a cleaner and more reliable AC power output that is safer for operating a contemporary refrigerator, especially if it has any digital controls. You might consider getting the Honda EU2200i, which is a 2200-watt portable inverter generator, even though it can be expensive to buy.
When there is a power outage, you might also utilize a battery-powered portable power station to run a refrigerator. You may use the battery to power your refrigerator and keep it running for a few hours as long as you can replenish it with solar panels.
To summarize, an inverter generator with at least 2000 starting watts is required to run a modern refrigerator with a freezer, while a 3000-watt type may be a preferable alternative. I would not go much lower, even though some individuals do use 1000-watt portable generators to power a refrigerator. Nonetheless, I would recommend that you utilize a 2000-watt dual-fuel inverter generator to power your fridge during a brief power outage.