Planner / Common setups
A 1/2 HP sump pump runs at about 1,050 W but needs up to 2,150 W to start. On its own that means a 3,000 W class generator; with a full-size fridge on too, 3,500 W class. A 1/3 HP pump needs 1,600 W to start.
Pick the closest match, then fine-tune the list below.
Fridge, sump pump, furnace fan, five lights and the Wi-Fi router. Change anything below.
9 items · adjust quantities or edit watts
Refrigerator (full-size)
400 W running · 1,200 W starting
Sump pump 1/2 HP
1,050 W running · 2,150 W starting
Furnace fan 1/3 HP (gas or oil)
700 W running · 1,400 W starting
LED bulb (each)
15 W running · 15 W starting
Wi-Fi router or modem
20 W running · 20 W starting
86 household appliances, tools and RV loads
Refrigerator (full-size)
400 W running · 1,200 W starting
Freezer (chest or upright)
500 W running · 1,000 W starting
Mini fridge or cooler
100 W running · 600 W starting
Sump pump 1/3 HP
800 W running · 1,600 W starting
Sump pump 1/2 HP
1,050 W running · 2,150 W starting
Well pump 1/2 HP
1,000 W running · 2,000 W starting
Well pump 1 HP
2,000 W running · 4,000 W starting
Electric water heater
4,500 W running · 4,500 W starting
Furnace fan 1/8 HP (gas or oil)
300 W running · 500 W starting
Furnace fan 1/6 HP (gas or oil)
500 W running · 750 W starting
Furnace fan 1/4 HP (gas or oil)
600 W running · 1,000 W starting
Furnace fan 1/3 HP (gas or oil)
700 W running · 1,400 W starting
Furnace fan 1/2 HP (gas or oil)
875 W running · 2,350 W starting
Window air conditioner 5000 BTU
600 W running · 1,200 W starting
Window air conditioner 10000 BTU
1,500 W running · 2,400 W starting
Central air conditioner 2 ton
2,500 W running · 4,500 W starting
Central air conditioner 3 ton
3,500 W running · 6,000 W starting
Central air conditioner 4 ton
5,000 W running · 8,000 W starting
Electric space heater
1,500 W running · 1,500 W starting
Radiant heater
1,300 W running · 1,300 W starting
Ceiling fan
75 W running · 75 W starting
Box or window fan
200 W running · 200 W starting
Microwave oven
1,500 W running · 1,500 W starting
Coffee maker
1,200 W running · 1,200 W starting
Toaster
1,200 W running · 1,200 W starting
Electric range (one burner)
2,400 W running · 2,400 W starting
Electric fry pan
1,500 W running · 1,500 W starting
Electric grill (tabletop)
1,650 W running · 1,650 W starting
Slow cooker
270 W running · 270 W starting
Blender
600 W running · 1,200 W starting
Air fryer
1,500 W running · 1,500 W starting
Portable induction cooktop
1,800 W running · 1,800 W starting
Electric smoker
1,200 W running · 1,200 W starting
Dishwasher (cool dry cycle)
216 W running · 540 W starting
Dishwasher (heated dry)
2,400 W running · 2,400 W starting
Washing machine
1,200 W running · 2,300 W starting
Electric clothes dryer
6,000 W running · 6,750 W starting
Gas clothes dryer
700 W running · 2,200 W starting
TV (flat screen 20 to 55 inch)
400 W running · 400 W starting
Desktop computer
800 W running · 800 W starting
Laptop or phone charger
250 W running · 250 W starting
LCD monitor
30 W running · 30 W starting
Printer
600 W running · 600 W starting
Wi-Fi router or modem
20 W running · 20 W starting
Satellite receiver
250 W running · 250 W starting
Radio
200 W running · 200 W starting
Home security system
40 W running · 40 W starting
LED bulb (each)
15 W running · 15 W starting
CPAP machine (no heated humidifier)
60 W running · 60 W starting
CPAP machine (heated humidifier)
120 W running · 120 W starting
RV air conditioner 11000 BTU
1,010 W running · 1,600 W starting
RV air conditioner 13500 BTU
2,000 W running · 3,500 W starting
RV air conditioner 15000 BTU
2,500 W running · 4,500 W starting
RV refrigerator
600 W running · 1,000 W starting
RV microwave
1,200 W running · 1,200 W starting
RV water heater (electric)
1,500 W running · 1,500 W starting
String or LED camp lights
200 W running · 200 W starting
Portable projector
300 W running · 300 W starting
Garage door opener
720 W running · 1,420 W starting
Circular saw (7-1/4 in)
1,800 W running · 3,600 W starting
Table saw (10 in)
3,000 W running · 6,000 W starting
Miter saw (10 in)
1,800 W running · 3,600 W starting
Reciprocating saw
1,200 W running · 2,400 W starting
Angle grinder (4-1/2 in)
1,800 W running · 3,600 W starting
Electric drill (1/2 in)
600 W running · 1,200 W starting
Hammer drill
1,200 W running · 2,400 W starting
Belt sander
1,200 W running · 2,400 W starting
Air compressor 1/2 HP
975 W running · 1,600 W starting
Air compressor 1 HP
1,600 W running · 4,500 W starting
Air compressor 2 HP
2,500 W running · 7,500 W starting
Air compressor 3 HP
3,500 W running · 10,500 W starting
Pressure washer 1500 PSI
1,500 W running · 3,000 W starting
Pressure washer 2500 PSI
2,500 W running · 5,000 W starting
Welder (120V)
2,500 W running · 5,000 W starting
Welder (240V)
8,000 W running · 16,000 W starting
Work light (LED)
25 W running · 25 W starting
Work light (halogen 500 W)
500 W running · 500 W starting
Job-site heater
3,000 W running · 3,000 W starting
Battery charger (heavy duty)
2,000 W running · 2,000 W starting
Motor 1/4 HP (capacitor-start capacitor-run)
400 W running · 850 W starting
Motor 1/3 HP (capacitor-start capacitor-run)
450 W running · 975 W starting
Motor 1/2 HP (capacitor-start capacitor-run)
600 W running · 1,300 W starting
Motor 3/4 HP (capacitor-start capacitor-run)
850 W running · 1,900 W starting
Motor 1 HP (capacitor-start capacitor-run)
1,000 W running · 2,300 W starting
Motor 1.5 HP (capacitor-start capacitor-run)
1,600 W running · 3,200 W starting
Motor 2 HP (capacitor-start capacitor-run)
2,000 W running · 3,900 W starting
4,500W class
Your 3,345 W peak + 20% margin = 4,014 W, rounded up to the next 500 W.
Of the 11 generators we track:1 fits well2 fit, but tight8 won’t work
Rated 5,500 W covers your 3,345 W peak plus 20%.
Published runtime: 6.4 h at full rated load · 16 h at 1/4 load · 5.1 gal tank. At your load (41%): between 6.4 h and 16 h per tank (estimate between the published points).
Covers your 3,345 W peak, but is under the 4,014 W target.
Published runtime: 8.0 h at 50% load · 2.37 gal tank.
Covers your 3,345 W peak, but is under the 4,014 W target.
Starting output of 3,000 W is below your 3,345 W peak.
Published runtime: 6.9 h at full rated load · 19.6 h at 1/4 load · 3.4 gal tank. At your load (80%): between 6.9 h and 19.6 h per tank (estimate between the published points).
Your running load plus 20% needs 2,694 W; this is rated 1,200 W.
Your running load plus 20% needs 2,694 W; this is rated 1,600 W.
Your running load plus 20% needs 2,694 W; this is rated 1,700 W.
Your running load plus 20% needs 2,694 W; this is rated 1,800 W.
Your running load plus 20% needs 2,694 W; this is rated 1,800 W.
Your running load plus 20% needs 2,694 W; this is rated 1,850 W.
Your running load plus 20% needs 2,694 W; this is rated 1,850 W.
Your list uses about 12.5–13.5 kWh a day.
refrigerator: 1.1–2.1 kWh a day (not sure, ENERGY STAR/DOE ranges), not its nameplate watts. Hours per day: sump pump 2 h, furnace fan 12 h, LED bulb 6 h, Wi-Fi router or modem all day. These are example estimates; change them under “Edit watts and hours”.Of the 11 power stations we track:3 fit well1 fits, but tight7 won’t work
3,600 W continuous covers your 2,245 W load plus 20%.
6,000 W continuous covers your 2,245 W load plus 20%.
4,000 W continuous covers your 2,245 W load plus 20%.
2,400 W continuous covers your 2,245 W load, but not the 20% margin.
Continuous output of 600 W is below your 2,245 W running load.
Continuous output of 1,800 W is below your 2,245 W running load.
Continuous output of 1,800 W is below your 2,245 W running load.
Continuous output of 2,000 W is below your 2,245 W running load.
Continuous output of 1,500 W is below your 2,245 W running load.
Continuous output of 1,800 W is below your 2,245 W running load.
Continuous output of 2,200 W is below your 2,245 W running load.
Generac GP3500iO with your list
Works, little headroomCovers your 3,345 W peak, but is under the 4,014 W target.
Tap Add to put it on your list.
The unit can start it, but not on top of your current list.
Sources suggest 20–25% headroom over peak demand TTH · medium.
Inverter and battery losses. 85% is a common rule OUP · medium; EcoFlow’s own runtime examples imply 80%.
| Generator | Running / starting | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Champion 201285 (1200W) | 1,200 / 1,500 W | Too small |
| Champion 100705 (2000W inverter) | 1,600 / 2,000 W | Won’t start the sump pump |
| Champion 201230 (2000W dual fuel inverter) | 1,700 / 2,000 W | Won’t start the sump pump |
| Honda EU2200i | 1,800 / 2,200 W | Works, little headroom |
| Champion 201271 (2400W dual fuel inverter) | 1,800 / 2,400 W | Works, little headroom |
| Champion 201046 (2500W inverter) | 1,850 / 2,500 W | Works, little headroom |
| Champion 201122 (2500W dual fuel inverter CARB) | 1,850 / 2,500 W | Works, little headroom |
| Honda EU3000iS | 2,800 / 3,000 W | Comfortable |
| Generac GP3500iO | 3,000 / 3,500 W | Comfortable |
| Westinghouse iGen4500 | 3,700 / 4,500 W | Comfortable |
| Honda EU7000iS | 5,500 / 7,000 W | Comfortable |
Verdicts use a 20% margin over peak. Add the rest of your list in the planner above.
A “sump pump battery backup” is usually a second, 12V pump with its own battery that takes over when the main pump loses power. It isn’t sized in the same way as a generator or portable power station, and we don’t cover those systems here.
If you plan to run your existing 120V pump from a portable power station, its surge output must cover the pump’s start: 2,150 W for a 1/2 HP pump. 9 of the 11 stations we track can.