If you’re interested in having options to power your off grid homestead, you’ve probably looked at generators. An important factor when choosing a generator is capacity: 3000 watts? 5000 watts? More? How do you choose?
A 5000 watt generator can run multiple lower watt appliances at the same time or a higher watt appliance that lower wattage generators are too small to handle including air conditioner, space heater, electric stove, & water heater.
A good way to get started is to write down the appliances you want to use and then work backward from there, adding up the total wattage of these items.
Calculating Watts
Even if you’re going for a 5000-watt generator, you will still have to calculate watts, this is unavoidable.
Once you have a gauge of the starting watts of big items (like a microwave or hot water heater), and you’re sure that you have a big window of space to account for smaller items (light bulbs, phone chargers, etc) then you might be able to relax a little and not be hyper-vigilant about powering-on your computer or turning on extra lights in the evening.
It is essential to remember running watts and starting watts. Starting watts require more watts to get the appliance started, like when you first power on your refrigerator, but after it’s been going a while, it doesn’t require as much power.
Some items have continuous watts that don’t need that extra boost at the beginning. Every appliance is different, so you should check the owner’s manual to see the exact wattage of each item you intend to use with your generator.
Can I Run My Entire Home On A 5000 Watt Generator?
Yes! 5000 watt generators are able to power RVs and small homesteads. You can run your entire home on generator power if you pay attention to wattage. One of the benefits of a 5000-watt generator for your home is that it can power several items simultaneously.
A 3000 watt generator can run most items in your home, however, you’ll need to manage (even micro-manage) the use of items to ensure you don’t go beyond the capacity of your generator.
This means remembering the wattage of all items and probably unplugging items before starting another appliance.
A 5000-watt generator gives you a lot more wiggle room so that you don’t have to be constantly unplugging items or turning lights off in order to start an air conditioner on a hot day.
List Of Appliances a 5000 Watt Generator Can Run
I’m going to jump right in at 1000 watts, but if you don’t see one of your essential items (cellphone, fridge) listed here, that’s because it’s on my other post about 3000 watt generators.
Read about 3000-watt generators and the common appliances they can run, here.
A 5000 watt Generator can run any household, RV, or Off Grid appliance, Including:
1000 to 2000 watts
- Coffee maker
- Iron for clothes
- Microwave
- Toaster or toaster oven
- Vacuum
- Water pump for a deep well
- Small air conditioner (window unit)
2000 to 4000 watts:
- Air conditioner (medium-sized unit)
- Dish Washer
- Small hot water heater
- Space heater
- Sump pump
- Stove or oven
4000 to 5000 watts
- Water heater (40 gallon)
- On-demand water heater (4,500 watts per element***)
***per element is important, you will not be able to use your sink and shower at the same time in this instance, only one at a time to ensure you do not damage your appliances or generator.
If you’re to use an on-demand water heater, there are better routes to go than a generator. I have a whole post about this, including propane heaters and other options.
Related: What Appliances Will A 3000 Watt Generator Run
Tools A 5000-Watt Generator Can Run
If you’re planning to build your own off-grid home, then a 5000-watt generator is ideal. These generators have the power to run most tools necessary for a home build. No need to constantly plug and unplug tools with a 5000 watt generator like you have to do with a smaller one.
- Drill = 600 – 800 watts
- Bench Grinder = 2,500 starting watts/1500 running watts
- Air compressor (1HP) = 4,500 starting watts/1500 running watts
- Table saw = 4,500 starting watts/1800-2000 running watts
- Circular saw = 2,500 starting watts/1500 running watts
These are general estimations. Your specific appliances may vary in wattage, especially if they are labeled ‘energy efficient. Always confirm the wattage before using a generator.
How Many Appliances Can I Plug In At The Same Time?
This is the beauty of a 5000 watt generator for your off-grid home. You can probably run most of your regular home appliances with ease. With a 5000-watt generator, you won’t feel restricted at home, but comfortable. Off-grid living should be a pleasure, not a chore.
Small Off-Grid Home, mostly the Kitchen
2 60-watt light bulbs = 120 watts
Fridge = 100 running watts
Freezer = 60 running watts
Rice cooker = 400 watts
Stove/Oven = 3000 watts
1 small LED TV = 50 watts
1 phone charger = 25 watts
1 fan = 50 watts
TOTAL = 3,805 watts
Yep, you can watch TV while making dinner with a 5000-watt generator, and still have plenty of available ‘wiggle room’ in case someone plugs in their phone or turns on a light.
I would recommend never running the microwave at the same time as the stove/oven because they both pull a lot of power. Choose one-or-the-other, but don’t use these appliances simultaneously, because it cuts very, very close to the 5000-watt max.
Small Off-Grid Home, mostly the Office
2 (60-watt light) bulbs = 120 watts
1 Desk lamp = 40 watts
1 Desktop Computer = 200 watts
1 Printer = 850 watts
1 Internet Router = 10 watts
1 Laptop Computer = 50 watts
Fridge = 100 running watts
Freezer = 60 running watts
Cell Phone charging = 25 watts
Ceiling Fan = 60 watts
Coffee Maker = 1600 watts
Total = 3,115
This estimates that your fridge and freezer are on running watts, not starting watts.
Small Off-Grid Home, General
Fridge = 100 running watts
Freezer = 60 running watts
Small Air conditioner = 1200 watts
(Window Unit)
Ceiling Fan = 60 watts
Floor Fan = 50 watts
4 (60-watt light) bulbs = 240 watts
2 laptop computers = 100 watts
3 cellphones = 75 watts
2 Tablets = 100 watts
1 internet router = 10 watts
1 70-inch LED TV = 100 watts
Washing Machine = 800 watts
Microwave = 1200 watts
Total = 4,095 watts
As you can see, you can run a lot of things at once with a 5000-watt generator. Still, you can’t run heavy items such as a stove and an air conditioner at the same time. What you can do is operate one or two large appliances and plenty of small ones, which makes a big difference when you’re off-grid living.
Don’t attempt to hit the 5000 watt capacity of your generator. A simple miscalculation on your part (or, if you forget about a light bulb or two) could cause damage to your generator. Instead, aim for a maximum limit of approx 4700 or so, just to give yourself a cushion for any small items you may not have considered.
Related: Is It Safe To Run A Refrigerator On A Generator?
How Long Will A 5000 Watt Generator Last?
Your generator’s life is based on usage, so how often you run it is a good indicator of life expectancy. Are you planning to use it on a daily basis? Then you’ll get the most out of your investment, for sure, but you can expect it to last approximately 3 years with daily use.
On the other hand, if your generator is a back-up option, you’ll have a lot longer. If you mostly use solar but it’s a rainy day and possibly use the generator once-or-twice a month then you can expect to get even a decade or longer out of your generator.
My Favorite 5000 Watt Generator
As much as I want to make a commission off of a product like this, there arenʻt any generators I feel comfortable recommending that offer sales commissions. I have to stick with my integrity on this one and recommend a generator will not make me any money.
That generator is the Honda EM5000 Generator.
Once again, Honda tops the list as my favorite generator. I have recommended Honda generators in every class for one reason, reliability.
While Honda Generators may not be the cheapest generator over the short run, they definitely earn it over the long run. They last forever, simple as that. I had a Honda generator that lasted 17 years, with much neglect and abuse. That is unheard of for generators.
While I personally use a Honda EU2200i Generator as a backup to my solar system, I have a friend that uses the Honda EM5000. He said he got his 8 years ago, starts up everytime and just requires an oil change every so often. He never had to take it to the shop or worry about it not starting.
That is what you want in a generator.
If you are looking for more about generators, you can check out these other articles on my blog: