Appliance Wattage Chart: Running and Starting Watts

Use this chart to find typical running and starting watts for common appliances when you plan generator or battery backup. Search for an appliance or browse by category. To add up your own list automatically, use the Generator Load Calculator, which uses the same data.

How to read the chart

Running watts is the power an appliance draws while operating normally.
Additional starting watts is the extra power a motor or compressor needs for a few seconds when it starts. The total at start-up is running + additional starting watts.
Voltage shows whether the appliance needs a 120 V or 240 V outlet. 240 V loads require a generator with a 120/240 V outlet.

Values are typical planning figures. Where available they follow published wattage guides from Generac and Champion; the rest are typical ranges for U.S. appliances. The nameplate on your appliance (watts, or volts × amps) is always the most accurate source.

Business & Food Service

Appliance	Running watts	Additional starting watts	Voltage
Cash Register	100 W	50 W	120 V
Commercial Espresso Machine	3,000 W	1,500 W	240 V
Commercial Freezer	1,500 W	2,500 W	120 V
Commercial Ice Machine	1,800 W	2,700 W	120 V
Commercial Microwave	1,800 W	900 W	120 V
Commercial Refrigerator	1,200 W	1,800 W	120 V
Desktop Computer (Business)	300 W	300 W	120 V
Food Warmer	1,500 W	—	120 V
Laser Printer (Business)	700 W	800 W	120 V
Panini Press	1,800 W	—	120 V
Point-of-Sale System	150 W	100 W	120 V
Small Server	600 W	600 W	120 V

Cooling & HVAC

Appliance	Running watts	Additional starting watts	Voltage
Ceiling Fan	75 W	75 W	120 V
Central Air Conditioner (2 ton)	2,500 W	3,500 W	240 V
Central Air Conditioner (3 ton)	3,250 W	5,500 W	240 V
Central Air Conditioner (4 ton)	4,500 W	7,250 W	240 V
Central Air Conditioner (5 ton)	5,500 W	6,500 W	240 V
Heat Pump (2 ton)	2,500 W	3,500 W	240 V
Heat Pump (3 ton)	4,000 W	5,000 W	240 V
Heat Pump (4 ton)	5,000 W	6,000 W	240 V
Portable Air Conditioner (12,000 BTU)	1,400 W	1,400 W	120 V
Portable Electric Heater (1,500W)	1,500 W	—	120 V
Portable Fan	50 W	50 W	120 V
Room Air Conditioner (12,000 BTU)	3,250 W	3,950 W	120 V
Window Air Conditioner (10,000 BTU)	1,200 W	1,800 W	120 V
Window Air Conditioner (5,000 BTU)	500 W	1,000 W	120 V

Home

Appliance	Running watts	Additional starting watts	Voltage
Box Fan	75 W	75 W	120 V
Cordless Tool Charger	100 W	50 W	120 V
Electric Furnace	15,000 W	30,000 W	240 V
Electric Water Heater (4.5 kW)	4,500 W	—	240 V
Freezer	500 W	700 W	120 V
Garage Door Opener (1/2 HP)	500 W	1,000 W	120 V
Gas Furnace Blower	800 W	2,350 W	120 V
Gas Water Heater Ignition/Controls	100 W	200 W	120 V
Home Office Printer	500 W	500 W	120 V
LED Light (10W)	10 W	—	120 V
LED TV (55")	120 W	—	120 V
Refrigerator (18 cu. ft.)	700 W	2,200 W	120 V
Security System	50 W	—	120 V
Smoke/CO Alarm	5 W	5 W	120 V
Tankless Water Heater (electric)	18,000 W	—	240 V
Vacuum Cleaner	1,000 W	800 W	120 V

Kitchen

Appliance	Running watts	Additional starting watts	Voltage
Air Fryer	1,500 W	—	120 V
Blender	500 W	500 W	120 V
Coffee Maker	1,000 W	—	120 V
Dishwasher	1,500 W	1,500 W	120 V
Electric Kettle	1,500 W	—	120 V
Electric Oven	3,500 W	1,500 W	240 V
Electric Range (full)	8,000 W	4,000 W	240 V
Electric Stove Burner	1,500 W	—	120 V
Garbage Disposal	500 W	1,000 W	120 V
Microwave Oven	1,000 W	—	120 V
Refrigerator Ice Maker	100 W	200 W	120 V
Slow Cooker	250 W	—	120 V
Toaster	1,200 W	—	120 V
Toaster Oven	1,500 W	—	120 V

Laundry & Garage

Appliance	Running watts	Additional starting watts	Voltage
Battery Charger (Automotive)	500 W	500 W	120 V
Chest Freezer	500 W	700 W	120 V
Electric Dryer	5,400 W	1,350 W	240 V
Electric Garage Heater	5,000 W	2,500 W	240 V
Garage Refrigerator	700 W	1,100 W	120 V
Gas Dryer	700 W	1,800 W	120 V
Shop Light	100 W	100 W	120 V
Washing Machine	1,150 W	2,250 W	120 V

RV & Camping

Appliance	Running watts	Additional starting watts	Voltage
RV Air Conditioner (13,500 BTU)	1,600 W	1,900 W	120 V
RV Air Conditioner (15,000 BTU)	1,800 W	2,200 W	120 V
RV Battery Charger	500 W	250 W	120 V
RV Coffee Maker	900 W	—	120 V
RV Converter/Charger	600 W	300 W	120 V
RV Electric Water Heater	1,400 W	—	120 V
RV Microwave	1,000 W	500 W	120 V
RV Refrigerator	400 W	600 W	120 V
RV Television	120 W	—	120 V
RV Water Pump	100 W	400 W	120 V

Outdoor & Emergency

Appliance	Running watts	Additional starting watts	Voltage
Electric Chainsaw	1,500 W	1,500 W	120 V
Electric Hedge Trimmer	500 W	500 W	120 V
Electric Lawn Mower	1,500 W	1,500 W	120 V
Electric Leaf Blower	1,200 W	1,200 W	120 V
Emergency Sump Pump	800 W	800 W	120 V
Portable Generator Battery Charger	500 W	250 W	120 V
Portable Water Pump (1/2 HP)	1,000 W	2,000 W	120 V

Electronics

Appliance	Running watts	Additional starting watts	Voltage
Cable/DSL Modem	15 W	—	120 V
Computer Monitor	50 W	25 W	120 V
Desktop Computer	300 W	300 W	120 V
Desktop Speakers	50 W	25 W	120 V
Game Console	200 W	100 W	120 V
Home Theater Receiver	300 W	300 W	120 V
Inkjet Printer	50 W	50 W	120 V
Laptop	60 W	20 W	120 V
Laser Printer	500 W	500 W	120 V
Network Switch	30 W	30 W	120 V
Phone Charger	10 W	10 W	120 V
Security Camera System	50 W	100 W	120 V
Streaming Device	10 W	5 W	120 V
Wi-Fi Router	15 W	—	120 V

Pumps

Appliance	Running watts	Additional starting watts	Voltage
Pool Pump (1 HP)	1,000 W	2,000 W	240 V
Pool Pump (1.5 HP)	1,500 W	3,000 W	240 V
Pool Pump (2 HP)	2,000 W	4,000 W	240 V
Sewage Ejector Pump (1/2 HP)	1,000 W	1,500 W	120 V
Sump Pump (1/2 HP)	1,050 W	2,200 W	120 V
Sump Pump (1/3 HP)	800 W	1,300 W	120 V
Sump Pump (3/4 HP)	1,500 W	1,500 W	120 V
Water Pump (1 HP)	750 W	1,500 W	120 V
Well Pump (1 HP)	1,500 W	3,000 W	240 V
Well Pump (1.5 HP)	2,000 W	4,000 W	240 V
Well Pump (1/2 HP)	875 W	1,750 W	240 V
Well Pump (3/4 HP)	1,200 W	2,400 W	240 V

Tools

Appliance	Running watts	Additional starting watts	Voltage
Air Compressor	1,500 W	3,000 W	120 V
Air Compressor (2 HP)	2,000 W	4,000 W	240 V
Angle Grinder	1,400 W	1,400 W	120 V
Bench Grinder	800 W	800 W	120 V
Circular Saw	1,800 W	1,800 W	120 V
Drill	700 W	700 W	120 V
Heat Gun	1,500 W	—	120 V
Impact Driver	500 W	500 W	120 V
Miter Saw	1,800 W	1,800 W	120 V
Portable Welder	5,000 W	5,000 W	240 V
Pressure Washer (electric)	1,800 W	1,800 W	120 V
Reciprocating Saw	1,500 W	1,500 W	120 V
Shop Vacuum	1,200 W	1,200 W	120 V
Table Saw	1,800 W	2,200 W	120 V

How to use these numbers to size a generator

List everything you want to run at the same time and add up the running watts.
Find the single largest additional starting value among the motor loads.
Add that to the running total. The generator’s starting (surge) rating must be at least this figure.
Make sure the generator’s running rating covers your running total with some headroom, typically 20%.

Example: refrigerator (700 W running, 2,200 W additional), sump pump (1,050 W, 2,200 W additional), TV and internet (150 W) and lights (100 W). Running total: 2,000 W. Largest additional start: 2,200 W. Peak: 4,200 W. A generator with about 2,500 running and 4,500 starting watts would cover it, and the Generator Size Calculator does this math for you.

Finding the wattage on your own appliance

Check the data plate or sticker, often on the back, inside the door or under the unit.
If it lists amps and volts instead of watts, multiply them: 5.5 A × 120 V = 660 W. Our watts to amps calculator converts both ways.
For air conditioners and heat pumps, look for LRA (locked rotor amps). LRA × voltage approximates the starting surge without a soft starter.
A plug-in power meter shows real running watts for 120 V appliances, which are often lower than the label.

Frequently asked questions

Why do refrigerators need so many starting watts?

The compressor motor draws several times its running current for a fraction of a second while it gets up to speed. Generators must be able to supply that surge or the compressor will stall and the generator may trip its breaker.

Do inverter appliances need starting watts?

Very little. Inverter-driven refrigerators, mini-splits and air conditioners ramp their compressors up gradually, so their starting draw is close to their running draw. Check the manufacturer’s specifications.

Can I add a soft starter to reduce the surge?

Yes. Soft start kits for air conditioners can cut starting current by 50 to 70%, often letting a smaller generator run central or RV air conditioning. Installation should follow the kit maker’s instructions.

Appliance Wattage Chart