Wattage Per Household Appliance
A sample of wattages required by typical household appliances and tools.
Steve Maxwell
January/February 2009
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Choosing the Right Generator
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To choose the right generator, you need to accurately estimate your power requirements. Here’s a sample of wattages required by typical household appliances and tools. Start-up figures are momentary, they occur for a few seconds when a motor is switched on. (To find power ratings for your tools and appliances, check their manuals or read the information stamped on the device.)
Appliance Start-up Watts Operating Watts
Furnace fan 1,400 700
Well pump (½ horsepower) 1,500 750
Refrigerator 1,500 800
40-gallon water heater n/a 3,000
Freezer 2,000 800
VCR n/a 50
Radio n/a 100
TV/Computer n/a 350
Microwave n/a 750
Sump pump 1,400 750
Washing machine 1,500 750
Coffee maker n/a 850
2-slice toaster n/a 1,100
Plug-in heater n/a 1,500
7¼-inch circular saw 1,500 750