Don’t Let Another Winter Storm Leave You in the Dark: Your Complete Guide to Choosing the Perfect Backup Generator Size for Your Texas Home

The devastating 2021 Winter Storm Uri served as a stark reminder that more than 4.5 million homes and businesses were left without power, some for several days, and at least 246 people were killed directly or indirectly as a result of the crisis. With extreme cold becoming more frequent, with five of the last eight winters experiencing temperatures that met those thresholds, Texas homeowners can no longer afford to be unprepared for winter storm season.

Choosing the right backup generator size isn’t just about keeping the lights on—it’s about protecting your family’s safety, preserving your home’s comfort, and avoiding the dangerous situations that arise when you’re left without power during freezing temperatures. The combination of below freezing temperatures with no power for heat led people to undertake dangerous ways of heating their homes, including deaths attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning from people running their cars or generators indoors for heating.

Understanding Your Home’s Power Requirements

The first step in selecting the right generator is calculating your home’s electrical needs. Before you can calculate your needs, you need to understand what starting wattage, running wattage and surge wattage are. Your running wattage is the amount of electricity you need to keep the device running. As the name implies, your starting wattage is the amount of electricity you need to start the device.

On average, the amount of power you need to start a device is usually three times the amount you need to keep it running. This is particularly important for motor-driven appliances like your HVAC system, refrigerator, and washing machine.

To properly size your generator, add up the wattage of all the essential circuits, add 20%, then choose a generator that meets or exceeds that number. Add up the total watts and add your calculator results to determine how much power your home is likely to leverage during an outage. Divide the total watts by 1000 to find kilowatts and add a 20% safety margin. This final number is your minimum Generator Capacity requirement for your home.

Generator Size Guidelines for Texas Homes

Based on current industry standards, here are general sizing guidelines for Texas homes:

• Small homes (up to 2,000 sq ft): A 7-10 kW generator can power critical circuits and a few key appliances
• A 15,000-watt unit can cover essentials in a 2,000-square-foot house
• Go with a 22,000-30,000 watt generator for a larger 3,000+ square foot home to power AC units, heaters, well pumps and more

However, most Texan homes, which infrequently see low temperatures, have poor insulation and are heated with inefficient electric resistance heaters, resulting in extremely high electricity demand. This means Texas homes may require larger generators than similar-sized homes in other regions.

Special Considerations for Texas Winter Storms

Texas winter storms present unique challenges that affect generator sizing decisions. Power equipment in Texas was not winterized, leaving it vulnerable to extended periods of cold weather. Natural gas power generating facilities had equipment freeze up and faced shortages of fuel. This means your backup generator may need to run for extended periods.

When a refrigerator or air conditioner starts up, it requires additional power, called starting power, which is higher than the normal operating power of the equipment. In addition, consider both starting power and operating power to avoid overloading the generator. During winter storms, your heating system will be cycling on and off frequently, making proper starting wattage calculations critical.

Essential vs. Whole-House Coverage

When sizing your generator, you’ll need to decide between powering essential circuits only or your entire home. Essential coverage maintains power to necessary appliances (i.e. lights, refrigerator, medical devices), while comprehensive coverage maintains power to the essentials plus other uses, such as garage door, washer/dryer, and cooking appliances.

For winter storm preparedness, prioritize heating systems, lighting, refrigeration, and communication devices. A generator can save you a lot of money during power outages, but more importantly, it can save lives during extreme weather events.

Professional Installation and Safety

Installing a generator is a big step and for safety reasons, you must adhere to all electrical ordinances. Our skilled electricians will take care of the installation and make all of the necessary electrical connections. Professional installation ensures your generator operates safely and efficiently when you need it most.

For residents seeking professional generator installation in Collin County, TX, working with experienced electrical contractors is essential. Carroll Service is here to help and strives to make sure each and every client has a positive experience working with us. As an established electrical contractor serving local companies and facilities, Carroll Service Co is equipped to offer an extensive array of electrical services.

Don’t Wait for the Next Storm

ERCOT says conditions this winter could spark extreme cold, but additional power supply and continued weatherization efforts will lower the risk of power outages. However, despite investigations and legislation after the power crisis that killed hundreds, as of January 2022, little has changed in the electricity system and Texas remains at risk of major blackouts in another winter storm.

Avoid going with the bare minimum generator as home power requirements increase over time. Once you calculate your power needs and requirements, you are ready to move forward by selecting other important factors unique and relevant to your home.

The time to prepare for the next winter storm is now, before the emergency strikes. Proper generator sizing, combined with professional installation, provides the peace of mind that comes from knowing your family will stay safe, warm, and connected when the next winter storm hits Texas. Don’t let history repeat itself—invest in the right backup generator system for your home today.