FAQs
Which system is right for you?
Homes are different. Personal needs are different. Winco offers a variety of power system sizes and options to fit any requirement. To select the system that's right for you, use the sizing chart below to estimate your power needs. Your needs may vary due to the size of your appliances, so be sure to check the manufacturer's documentation for actual power requirements.
The best way to determine your power needs is to contact a electrical contractor. They will analyze the actual electrical load for your home, then determine and install the proper residential backup system.
| Your Electric Needs | 8.5kW | 12kW | 15kW | 30kW | 35-100kW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furnace Fan | • | • | • | • | • |
| Refrigerator/Freezer | • | • | • | • | • |
| Sump Pump | • | • | • | • | • |
| Lighting | • | • | • | • | • |
| Well Pump | • | • | • | • | • |
| Television/Radio | • | • | • | • | • |
| Computer | • | • | • | • | • |
| Home Ventilation Fan | • | • | • | • | |
| Garage Door Opener | • | • | • | • | |
| Electric Range | • | • | • | ||
| Water Heater | • | • | • | ||
| Security System | • | • | • | ||
| Central Air System | • | • | • | ||
| Washing Machine | • | • | • | ||
| Microwave Oven | • | • | • | ||
| Clothes Dryer | • | • | |||
| Dishwasher | • | • | |||
| Vacuum Cleaner | • | • | |||
| Toaster Oven | • | • | |||
| Humidifier | • | • | |||
| Wine Cellar | • | ||||
| Extensive Power Requirements | • |
What is backup power?
A standby generator is a permanently installed, fully-automatic emergency generator system that continuously monitors the incoming utility power supply. The system is designed to automatically furnish electrical power to pre-selected circuits in your home that supply your lighting, heating and cooling, appliances, and water. There's no need for extension cords, gasoline cans for refueling, or manual start pull ropes because Winco's Packaged Standby System supplies back up electric power automatically.
The Winco Packaged Standby System includes the generator, automatic transfer switch, battery charger and distribution panel. The generator operates on your home's existing fuel source—whether that's natural gas or liquid propane (LP).
What does a transfer switch do?
The transfer switch is the brain of your backup power system. It continually monitors the utility power for an interruption. If utility power fails, the transfer switch automatically starts the generator, transfers the electrical loads, and restores power to your home. When utility power resumes, the transfer switch reverses the process…again, automatically, whether you're home or away.
- Installs inside or outside your home
- Continuously monitors utility power
- Automatically starts generator whether you're home or not
Within seconds of a utility power outage, the transfer switch—working in tandem with the generator—starts the genset to restore power to the home.
Slightly larger than the main distribution panel, the automatic transfer switch exercises the generator weekly to keep it performing at peak efficiency.
What type of fuel is best?
There are many advantages and disadvantages to different types of fuel. Nearly all generators are powered by gasoline, diesel, natural gas, or propane. The following information will hopefully answer any questions or concerns you may have concerning different fuel sources.
Gasoline
Advantages:
- Common fuel source—easily obtained
- Increases portability of smaller generators
Disadvantages:
- Highly flammable
- Short shelf life (approximately 12 months)
- Storing large quantities is hazardous
- May not be available during power outages
Propane
Advantages:
- Long shelf life
- Clean burning
- Easily stored in both large tanks or in smaller 5-10 gallon cylinders
- Obtainable during power outages—gas stations may be unable to pump fuel during an area wide outage
- Home delivery available for larger tanks
Disadvantages:
- Pressurized cylinder of flammable gas
- Fuel system is more complicated (increased possibility of failure)
- Larger tanks are not aesthetically pleasing (unsightly)
- Fuel system plumbing results in higher installation cost
Natural Gas
Advantages:
- Unlimited fuel source—refueling not necessary
- Clean burning
- Available during power outages
Disadvantages
- May be unavailable during natural disasters (earthquakes, etc.)
- Lower power output (30% less BTU's per unit than gasoline)
- Fuel system plumbing results in higher installation cost
- Not available in many areas
What size generator do I need?
Power requirements must be determined to properly size your generator. We are providing some steps to assist you in approximating the size generator for your power needs. Please keep in mind that unless you are qualified, you should use a certified electrician to determine your power needs. At Americas Generators it is our goal to assist our customers in any way possible. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Steps to determine generator requirements
- Determine your need. Do you want the generator to operate part or all of your home or office?
- Identify the appliances and/or tools the generator will need to power.
- Determine the wattage for each appliance and tool you plan to use frequently. The "Common Wattage Guide" below will help you determine your need.
- Total the wattage for appliances and tools you frequently use.
- Identify motor and pump requirements. Use the motor and pump charts provided below.
- Calculate and total the wattage for the motors and pumps frequently used. Always use starting watts, not running watts, when determining the correct electrical load requirements.
- Total the wattage of the appliances & tools and the motors & pumps.
Keep in mind that if you coordinate your power usage wisely you do not have to operate everything all at once. Therefore, for emergency use you don't necessarily need to size the generator to operate everything simultaneously.
Convert watts into kilowatts by dividing the watts in step 6 to determine the generator size required. Please note that it is suggested—although not absolutely necessary—to size the generator 20-25% over the size you determine your needs to be. This will allow room for future growth. For example, if you determine that you will need a 15 kW generator then it is advisable to purchase an 18 kW generator to accommodate future expansion.
Common Wattages
| Item | Running Watts | Starting Surge |
|---|---|---|
| 100 watt light bulb | 100 | 100 |
| Radio AM/ FM stereo | 50-200 | 50-200 |
| Radio CB | 50 | 50 |
| Fan | 200 | 200 |
| Television | 300-400 | 300-400 |
| Microwave oven | 700 | 1000 |
| Air conditioner | 3250 | 5000 |
| Furnace fan (1/3 HP blower) | 600 | 1800 |
| Vacuum cleaner | 600 | 750 |
| Sump pump (1/3 HP) | 700 | 2100 |
| Refrigerator/ Freezer | 800 | 2400 |
| Freezer | 500 | 1500 |
| 6" circular saw | 800 | 1000 |
| Floodlight | 1000 | 1000 |
| 1/2" electric drill | 1000 | 1250 |
| Toaster | 1200 | 1200 |
| Coffee maker | 1200 | 1200 |
| Electric skillet | 1200 | 1200 |
| 14" electric chain saw | 1200 | 1500 |
| 1/2 HP water well pump | 1000 | 3000 |
| Hot plate | 1500 | 1500 |
| Electric range | 10000 | 10000 |
| 10" table saw | 2000 | 6000 |
| Hot water heater | 5000 | 5000 |
Electric Motor Wattage Requirements
Electrical motors present special electrical startup considerations. They can require up to three times their rated running wattage to start. Motor nameplates generally will show starting watts, some as high as nine times the running wattage. Check the nameplate to be sure. Be certain to use the starting watts when figuring the correct electrical load requirements. Motor load requirements are listed below:
| Motor Rating HP | Approximate Running Watts | Universal Motors Small Appliance | Reduction Induction Motors | Capacitor Motors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 | 275 | 400 | 600 | 850 |
| 1/4 | 400 | 500 | 850 | 1050 |
| 1/3 | 450 | 600 | 975 | 1350 |
| 1/2 | 600 | 750 | 1300 | 1800 |
| 3/4 | 850 | 1000 | 1900 | 2600 |
| 1 | 1000 | 1250 | 2300 | 3000 |
| 1 1/2 | 1600 | 1750 | 3200 | 4200 |
| 2 | 2000 | 2350 | 3900 | 5100 |
| 3 | 3000 | 3550 | 5200 | 6800 |
**Motors of higher HP are not generally used.
Water Well Pump KW Requirements
| Pump HP Rating | Externally Regulated Generator | Internally Regulated Generator | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min. KW | Min. KVA | Min. KW | Min. KVA | |
| 1/3 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 1.5 |
| 1/2 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| 3/4 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 2.0 | 2.5 |
| 1 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 2.5 | 3.125 |
| 1 1/2 | 5.0 | 6.25 | 3.0 | 3.8 |
| 2 | 7.5 | 9.4 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| 3 | 10.0 | 12.5 | 5.0 | 6.25 |
| 5 | 15.0 | 18.75 | 7.5 | 9.4 |
| 7 1/2 | 20.0 | 25.0 | 10.5 | 12.5 |
| 10 | 30.0 | 37.5 | 15.0 | 18.8 |
Notes: 1. It is recommended that the generator be started before the pump motor is turned on.
- A majority of industrial generators are externally regulated. Generators must be sized to deliver at least 65% of the rated voltage during motor starting to ensure adequate motor starting torque.
- Industrial generators typically produce 300+ percent of rated capacity for 15-20 seconds during electrical surges.
To convert KW into watts multiply KW (x) 1000.