Generators have become increasingly popular in recent years to provide backup power during a power outage. They can also be used to power tools and other equipment while working off the grid. But how much power do you need?
A 3000 to 5000 watts generator will cover all electric needs for most people. However, if you have a central air conditioner, you may need a generator with more power like the 9000-watt generator.
The 9000-watt generators are some of the most popular generators on the market. They are perfect for powering your appliances when camping or tailgating. But will a 9000-watt generator run central air?
Here are the Two Best 9000 Watt Generator for Air Conditioners
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Champion Power Equipment 11,500/9,200-Watt... | Check Amazon Price | |
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DuroMax XP9000iH 9000-Watt 459cc Dual Fuel Digital... | Check Amazon Price |
How Many Amps Does a 9000-watt Generator Produce?
Amp is the unit of measure for electrical current. Calculating the amps of your generator is easy as long as you know the wattage and voltage. Nevertheless, getting these two shouldn’t be hard since they come written on the generator.
To calculate the amps of your generator, you can use the formula; amps = watts/volts.
For example, if you have a 9000-watt generator with 240 volts, it will produce 37.5 amps (amperes). However, if your 9000-watt generator has 220 volts, it will produce 40.9 amps. (Amps x Volts = Watts).
You can use this information to determine what appliances or devices you can run off your generator in an emergency.
In addition, you can make things simpler by using a generator amps calculator. This online calculator helps you determine the number of watts and volts your generator produces. You need to enter the values for voltage and wattage, and the calculator does the rest.
How Much Can a 9000-watt Generator Run
Now that we know how many amps a 9000-watt generator produces let’s look at what appliances or devices this will run. A 9000-watt generator can comfortably power about every appliance in your home to a maximum of 7500 watts.
This means that you can use your 9000-watt generator to power up a fridge, freezer, sump pump, well pump, pellet stove, water heater, washer and dryer (electric), furnace (fan), lights (LED), television, computer, and other small electronics.
You can also use this generator for RV air conditioners if they don’t exceed 3500 watts. In terms of tools in your garage or workspace, a 9000-watt generator can run most drills, saws (table/circular), sanders, and grinders.
A 9000-watt generator is also ideal for work sites since it can provide enough power to run multiple devices simultaneously.
How Many Watts Does a Central Air Conditioner Use?
Will I be able to power a large central air conditioner using a 9000b watt generator? Well, the answer to this should be clear if you understand the required wattage of your central ac unit.
Required wattage is the power that your appliance needs to start and run. The required wattage is different for different models and manufacturers of central air conditioners.
You will also need to understand the starting wattage and the running wattage of your central air conditioning unit. Starting wattage is the power required to start your appliance while running wattage is the power needed to keep it running.
The starting wattage of most central air conditioners is about 3500 watts. This means that a 9000-watt generator can power large central ac units.
On the other hand, the running wattage ranges from 1200-to 1700 watts. This means that you will need a generator that can provide at least 3500 watts to start your central air unit and about 1700 watts to keep it running.
Understanding these figures and how they come into play is essential. The numbers will help you avoid cases like overloading your generator, which can cause damage to your appliances or, worse, an accident.
Other factors also influence the wattage usage of your central air unit. Such include;
The model of the Central air unit
Newer models tend to have a lower wattage usage than older models. This is because they are designed to be more efficient.
Seasonal Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of your unit
This is a measure of how efficient your central air unit is. The higher the SEER, the lower the wattage usage. Central air units with a SEER of 20 and above are considered highly efficient.
The size of your home
The bigger the house, the higher the wattage required to cool it. This is because a bigger space means more heat to be removed.
The climate in your area
Areas with a hotter climate will require more power to run the central air unit than cooler areas. This is because the central air unit has to work harder to remove all the heat from the house.
The size of British Thermal Units (BTUs)
This is a measure of the cooling capacity of your central air unit. The bigger the BTUs, the higher the wattage required.
How long do you intend to run the appliance?
Running your central air unit for extended periods will require more power than running it for shorter periods. The longer it runs, the more heat it removes from your house.
What Size Generator Do You Need for Your Central Air?
The size of the generator required to run your central air efficiently depends on the required power output of your central air unit. A bigger unit will need a bigger generator.
However, the size of the generator doesn’t necessarily mean that it will efficiently run your central ac.
You should confirm the wattage of your generator and cross-check it against the total of your central air unit starting and running wattage (usually found on the nameplate).
For example, if the starting wattage of your central air unit is 3500 watts and the running wattage is 1700 watts, you will need a generator that can provide at least 5250 watts (3500+1700).
It is also essential to identify the wattage of other appliances that you would need to power when selecting a generator for your home. This is because most generators have limited output and can only power a few devices at once.
For example, if you need to run a fridge, lights, and your central air conditioner, you will need a generator that can provide enough power for all these appliances.
It is also essential to factor in the start-up wattage of the other appliances when choosing a generator. Some appliances like fridges and freezers require more wattage to start than they do to keep running.
In such cases, you might need a bigger generator than what the running wattage requires. We advise that you consult an expert when deciding which whole house generator to get for your home.
It is also advisable to get a generator that can provide about 25-30% more power than your appliances require. This safety margin will help avoid overloading the generator, which can cause damage to your appliances or, in some cases, an accident.
So, will a 9000 Watt Generator Run Central Air?
The answer to this question is, it depends. If the central air unit you have is high wattage and you intend to run other appliances, you might need a more significant generator.
However, if your central air unit is of lower wattage or you don’t intend to run other appliances, then a 9000-watt generator should be able to handle it.
It is essential always to consult an expert when deciding which size generator to get for your home. Consulting an expert will help avoid any damages that an overloaded or underpowered generator could cause.
What Will a 9000 Watt Generator Run?
Most households will typically hold several appliances and electronics that require electricity to function. A 9000-watt generator has the potential to run nearly all of these essential home systems operating at once, making it a versatile and powerful choice for most families.
Some of these appliances would require little to less starting wattage, while others would need more. Below is a list of appliances a 9000-watt generator could potentially power together with their starting and running wattage.
Cell Phone Charger
A small appliance like a cell phone charger will require about 2 to 6 watts to start and 25 watts to run.
Laptop
An average laptop will need about 60 watts to start and about 50 watts to run.
Television
A standard television will need about 150 watts to start and about 100 watts to run.
Sump Pump
A sump pump typically needs about 2150 watts to start and about 1050 watts to run.
Clothes Dryer
A clothes dryer will need about 6750 watts to start and about 5400 watts to run.
Hot Water Heater
A water heater will need about fewer watts to start and about 3000 watts to run.
Microwave
A microwave typically needs about 700 watts to start and about 600 watts to run.
Now that we know the wattage requirements of some common household appliances, we can see that a 9000-watt generator has the potential to run most of them at once.
However, this doesn’t mean that you should overload the generator. It is essential always to check the total wattage of the appliances you want to run and compare it against the output of your generator.
To avoid overloading the generator, you should also factor in a safety margin of about 25-30%.
Best 9000 Watt Generator
A generator is a costly investment, and you want to be sure you are getting the best possible product for your money.
Below we have compiled a list of two of the best 9000-watt generators on the market today.
Champion Power Equipment 11,500/9,200-Watt Portable Generator
- At 11,500 starting watts and 9200 running watts, enjoy up to 10 hours of run time on a full tank of gasoline with a noise level of 74 dBA from 23 feet
- Trust the reliable 459cc Champion engine with its battery-included electric start featuring a reliable toggle switch, plus built-in Cold Start Technology for easy starts in cold weather
- One 120/240V 30A locking outlet, a 120/240V 50A outlet (14-50R) and four 120V 20A GFCI outlets, plus Volt Guard built-in surge protector prevents overloads and keeps your equipment safe
- Keep track of voltage, hertz and run-time hours to easily monitor power output and track maintenance intervals
- Includes 3-year limited warranty with FREE lifetime technical support from dedicated experts
The champion power equipment 11,500/92000-watt portable generator is one of the best on the market. It has a starting wattage of 11,500 and a running wattage of 9000.
It features an electric start that makes it easy to use and a built-in fuel gauge that lets you know when the tank is getting low. This generator also comes with an automatic shut-off feature that kicks in when the oil level gets too low or if there is excessive carbon monoxide build-up.
The generator has a noise of 74 decibels from 23 feet and runs for up to 12 hours at 50% load on a full gas tank. It features a cold start technology that allows it to start in cold weather.
It has one 120/240V 30A locking outlet, a 120/240V 50A RV outlet, four 120V 20A GFCI outlets, and a 12V DC output. It also has an in-built Volt Gurard that protects your appliances from voltage fluctuations.
The Champion power generator comes with a great warranty. The company offers a three-year limited warranty and free lifetime technical support.
Features
- 11,500 starting watts and 9000 running watts
- Electric start
- Built-in fuel gauge
- Automatic shut off
- Noise level of 74 decibels from 23 feet
- Run time of up to 12 hours at 50% load
- Cold start technology
DuroMax XP9000iH 9000-Watt 459cc Dual Fuel Digital Inverter Hybrid Portable Generator
- Power on the Go – With 9,000 peak watts and 7,600 running watts, this generator is perfect for emergency home power, jobsite use, or camping with your RV..Amperage : 71.26A.
- Dual Fuel Technology – This generator runs on gasoline or propane giving you the freedom and flexibility of fuel choice.
- Inverter Technology – Provides clean, stable power for sensitive electronics including televisions and computers.
- Remote Start – Start the generator conveniently with the remote control.
- Automatic Transfer Switch Ready – Equipped with an ATS outlet making it easy to connect to a compatible Automatic Transfer Switch
The DuroMax XP900iH 9000-watt digital inverter generator is another excellent option. It has a starting wattage of 9000 and a running wattage of 7500.
It is a dual fuel generator that allows you to use either gasoline or propane, giving you the flexibility to use whichever fuel is more readily available or affordable at the time.
The generator also has an automatic shut-off feature that kicks in when the oil level gets too low or if there is excessive carbon monoxide build-up.
This generator is very quiet, with a noise level of only 68 decibels from 25 feet away unlike other portable generators. It also has a long run time, running for up to 15 hours on a full tank of gas at 50% load.
The inverter technology on this generator makes it safe to use with sensitive electronics. It also has a built-in USB port to charge your devices while on the go. The remote start feature makes it easy to start the generator from a distance.
Features
- 9000 starting watts and 7000 running watts
- Dual fuel system
- Automatic shut off
- Noise level of 68 decibels from 25 feet away
- Run time of up to 15 hours at 50% load
- Inverter technology
- Remote start
Conclusion
Overall, a 9000-watt generator should be able to run central air depending on the unit’s size and power needs.
However, it is always best to consult with an expert to get the most accurate estimate for your home. Thanks for reading!