Generators have become an essential appliance in recent years. This is because they provide a reliable power source during a power outage and emergencies. They also come in handy when you are out camping, tailgating, or you need to power some electrical equipment.
However, these generators come in different sizes and have different power capabilities. A 2000-watt generator is an example of a small generator. So, the question is, can this size of a generator power an air conditioner? This blog post will answer this question and more. Keep reading!
Here are the Two Best 2000 Watt Generator for Air Conditioners
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
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Champion Power Equipment 100402 2000-Watt Dual... | Check Amazon Price | |
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WEN 56200i 2000-Watt Gas Powered Portable Inverter... | Check Amazon Price |
Understanding your Generator Wattage
To know what appliances your generator will be able to power, you should first be able to understand your generator wattage. Generator wattage is how power output is measured.
In layman’s language, it’s the amount of power the generator can provide at any given time. You’ll want to make sure your generator has a high enough wattage output to cover all the devices you need to power.
When it comes to generators, there are two main types of wattage: surge (starting wattage) and rated (running wattage).
Surge Wattage
Surge wattage is the amount of power the generator can provide for a short period, usually only needed when you first start up an appliance.
To give you an idea, a typical home ac unit will require about 2000 watts to start up. So, in order for your air conditioner to work with a generator, you would need at least a 2000-watt generator.
Please keep in mind that the startup wattage required for most appliances is usually higher than their running wattage. This is why choosing a generator with a wattage rating that meets or exceeds the sum of all the devices you need to power is important.
Rated Wattage
Rated wattage is the amount of power the generator can provide continuously. You’ll want to make sure your generator can handle the surge and rated wattages of all appliances you need to run simultaneously.
The rate/running wattage of the same air conditioner is about 1200 watts. So, if you only wanted to run your ac unit and nothing else, a 1200-watt generator would suffice.
Of course, these are just estimates. The actual wattage required for your appliances may be higher or lower than our numbers. We recommend that you consult your appliance’s owner manual to determine its specific wattage requirements.
Additionally, some devices like computers and TVs have a range of acceptable voltages. If you’re ever in doubt, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and choose a generator with a higher wattage rating.
Wattage Requirements for Different Air Conditioners?
Although they operate similarly, air conditioning units come with different needs. The wattage required to run them is one of them.
The power consumption of your unit depends on various factors such as its size, efficiency rating, and the type of air conditioning unit.
Below are the wattage requirements for different air conditioners;
Wattage Requirements for Central Air Conditioner
A central air conditioner is a system that uses ducts to distribute cooled air throughout the house. The size of your home, climate, and the number of people in your household are some factors that determine the cooling capacity you need.
The average central air conditioner uses about 3000 watts to 3500 watts of power. But this figure can range from 1500 watts to as high as 5000 watts or more for very large units in hot climates.
Wattage Requirements for Window Air Conditioners
A window air conditioner is a unit that’s installed in a window and blows cooled air into the room. It doesn’t require ductwork, making it a popular choice for small homes and apartments.
The average window air conditioner uses about 700 watts to 1200 watts. But some units use as little as 500 watts, while others use 1500 watts or more.
The size of the unit, its efficiency rating, and the climate you live in are some factors that determine how much power your window air conditioner will use.
Wattage Requirements for Portable Air Conditioners
A portable air conditioner is a self-contained unit that can be rolled from room to room. It has everything it needs to operate in one compact package, including a compressor, condenser, evaporator, and air conditioner motor.
Most portable air conditioners use about 1000 watts to 1500 watts of power. But some units use as little as 900 watts, while others use 2000 watts or more.
The size of the unit, its efficiency rating, and the climate you live in are some factors that determine how much power your portable air conditioner will use.
So Will a 2000 Watt Generator Run Air Conditioner?
The answer is yes! A 2000-watt generator will run most air conditioners as long as the start-up wattage of the A/C unit is not too high. The average starting wattage for a small A/C unit is about 1500 watts. So, a 2000-watt generator should be able to handle the start-up load of most air conditioners.
However, keep in mind that the running wattage of most air conditioners is only about 1000 watts. This means that you will not be able to run other appliances simultaneously as your air conditioner with a 2000-watt generator.
If you are looking for a generator to run your air conditioner and other appliances simultaneously, you will need to get a generator with a higher wattage rating.
Will a 2000 Watt Generator Run An Rv Air Conditioner?
The answer is yes. A 2000-watt generator can comfortably power your RV’s air conditioning units and have quite some power to spare. Your RV air conditioner will only use about 1000 – 1500 watts of power when running. That leaves you plenty of power to run other appliances like a fridge or microwave.
Will a 2000 Watt Generator Run a Window Air Conditioner?
A 2000-watt genny can also efficiently run your window ac. Most window air conditioners use about 1000 watts of power when running. So, you will have plenty of power to spare if you are only running your window A/C unit with a 2000-watt generator.
Will a 2000 Watt Generator Run a 13500 BTU Air Conditioner?
The answer is yes, but just barely. A 13500 British Thermal Unit (BTU) air conditioner uses about 1250 watts of power when running. So, a 2000-watt generator will be able to run your 13500 BTU air conditioner, but you won’t have any power left to run other appliances.
It’s always a good idea to err on the side of caution and get a generator with a higher wattage rating than you need. That way, you can run more than one appliance at a time if necessary.
How to Properly Size Generator for your Air Conditioner
Properly sizing portable generators for your air conditioner is essential. This will help you identify a suitable generator for your ac unit. You will also avoid damaging your A/C unit and ensures that you have more power to run other household appliances.
The first step is to identify the starting wattage of your air conditioner. This is usually listed in the owner’s manual or on the back of the A/C unit. Although the starting wattage for air conditioners varies, most ac units have a start-up wattage of about 1200 to 1500 watts.
The next step is to find the running wattage of your air conditioner. This is the amount of power your A/C unit uses when running. Most air conditioners use about 500 to 700 watts when running.
So, if you want to run other appliances simultaneously as your air conditioner, you will need a generator with a wattage rating of at least 2000 watts.
What Can you Run On a 2000 Watt Generator?
A 2000 Watt generator is powerful enough to run most household appliances like a fridge, microwave, or TV. It can also run some appliances with high energy consumption rates like a washing machine or dishwasher.
Below is a list of some common appliances a 2000-watt genny will run and how much power they use.
- Fridge- 200 Watts
- Microwave oven- 1000 Watts
- TV- 200 Watts
- Laptop- 50 Watts
- Table Lamp- 40 Watts
- Ceiling Fan- 100 Watts
- Sump Pump- 1050 Watts
- Coffee Maker- 1000 watts
- Vacuum cleaner- 1440 watts
Best 2000 Watt Generator
Generators are costly; therefore, you want to make sure you get the best one for your needs. The best 2000-watt generator will be determined by what you need it for.
If you only need it to run your RV air conditioner, a small lightweight generator will suffice. However, if you need to run other appliances at the same time, then you will need multiple generators or a powerful generator that is able to handle the load.
1. Champion Power Equipment 100402 2000-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator
- Using gasoline, produces 2000 starting watts and 1600 running watts. Using propane, it produces 1800 starting watts and 1440 running watts.
- Ez Start dial -- Operate your 2000-Watt portable generator right out of the box on either gasoline or propane, plus Ultra-Quiet operation of 53 dba from 23 feet is perfect for camping, Tailgating and more
- Parallel ready -- If you choose to buy the optional parallel kit, The space-saving design is parallel ready and can connect with another 2000-Watt inverter to double your output power
- Dual fuel -- Operate your 2000-Watt portable generator right out of the box on either gasoline or propane, plus the unit holds 0. 6-Quarts of oil (Recommended 10W-30) and has a low oil shut-off sensor
- Ultra-quiet operation -- 53 dba from 23 feet is perfect for camping, Tailgating or to backup a few home essentials, Featuring 2000 starting watts, 1600 running watts and up to 11 hours run time
- Champion Support -- Includes 3-year limited with FREE lifetime technical support from dedicated experts
Champion’s 2000-watt inverter generator is one of the best on the genny market. It is a dual fuel generator that can run on either gasoline or propane. It provides a startup wattage of 2000 while running on gasoline and 1600 watts when running on propane.
The Champion inverter generator is also parallel ready, meaning you can connect it to another Champion inverter generator to double your power output. This is great if you need to run multiple appliances or power tools at the same time.
Champion’s genny is also one of the quietest on the market, making it perfect for RVing or tailgating. It has a noise level of 53 dBA, which is about as loud as a vacuum cleaner.
One of the best features of this generator is its portability. It weighs only 96 pounds and has built-in handles and wheels for easy transport.
2. WEN 56200i 2000-Watt Gas Powered Portable Inverter Generator, CARB Compliant
- Dimensions: 18" x 11" x 18" | Weight: 48 lbs
- Noise Level: 53 dB operation
- EPA III and CARB Compliant 79.7 cc 4-stroke OHV engine produces 2000 surge watts and 1600 rated watts
- Great for campgrounds, construction sites, tailgates and power outages
- Produces clean power to safely operate and prevent damage to sensitive electronics such as phones, tablets, televisions and computers
- Includes two three-prong 120V receptacles, one 12V DC receptacle and one 5V USB port
WEN’s 2000-watt inverter generator is another great option on the market. It is a gas-powered genny that produces clean energy ideal for sensitive electronics.
This generator has a peak wattage of 2000 watts and a running wattage of 1600 watts. It also features two 120V outlets, one USB port, and one 12V DC outlet.
The WEN inverter generator is lightweight and portable, weighing only 48 pounds. It also has built-in handles for easy transport.
One of the best features of this genny is its quiet operation. It has a noise level of 51 decibels, which is about as loud as a normal conversation.
Conclusion
So, will a 2000-watt generator run an air conditioner? The answer is yes, but it depends on the specific air conditioner model. If you have a small, energy-efficient model, your generator will likely be able to power it.