The first step is to determine how much power your household actually uses. Every appliance and device requires a certain amount of wattage to start (surge watts) and to run continuously (running watts). Add these numbers together to estimate your total wattage requirement.

Common Household Wattage Estimates:

• Refrigerator: 700–1,200 watts
• Sump Pump: 800–1,500 watts
• Microwave: 1,000–1,500 watts
• Window A/C Unit: 1,000–1,500 watts
• Central A/C Unit: 3,000–5,000 watts (Recommended: use an AirGo Soft Starter to reduce startup load and improve efficiency)
• Electric Water Heater: 3,000–4,500 watts
  

Use the DuroMax Generator Quiz to find your exact power needs and identify which generator best fits your home.

Next, think about whether you want to power only the essentials or your entire home.

• Essentials Only: If you just want to keep lights, a refrigerator, and small appliances running during an outage, you’ll need around 5,000–9,500 watts.
• Whole Home Backup: To power larger systems like HVAC, electric stoves, and well pumps, look for a generator capable of 10,000–16,000 watts of continuous power.

For most homes, the DuroMax XP11000iHT Tri Fuel Inverter Generator is the ideal choice. It provides clean, stable power for sensitive electronics while delivering enough output to run major household systems — even central air when paired with a DuroMax AirGo Soft Starter.

For larger homes or extended outages, the XP28000iHT Tri Fuel Inverter Generator offers maximum capacity and flexibility — giving you whole-home power with quiet, inverter-grade performance.

DuroMax gives you the freedom to choose how you power your home.

Dual Fuel Generators

DuroMax Dual Fuel technology lets you run on either gasoline or propane, giving you flexibility during emergencies and extended outages.

• Gasoline provides the highest power output and is widely available.
• Propane burns cleaner, produces fewer emissions, and has a long storage life — perfect for emergency readiness.
  

Tri Fuel Generators

For even greater flexibility, DuroMax Tri Fuel generators can run on gasoline, propane, or natural gas.

• Natural Gas provides a continuous fuel source when connected to your home’s utility line, meaning no refueling and virtually unlimited runtime during power outages.
• With three fuel options, you’re always covered — whether you’re in the middle of a storm, a wildfire evacuation zone, or an off-grid setup.

Runtime is a key factor when choosing a generator — it determines how long your system can operate on a full tank or connected fuel source.

DuroMax inverter generators like the XP16000iHT and XP28000iHT are designed for long-lasting, efficient performance. If you choose a Tri Fuel model and run it on natural gas, you can enjoy unlimited runtime, as long as your utility supply remains active.

Whether you’re running on gasoline, propane, or natural gas, DuroMax generators deliver dependable power when you need it most.

Think ahead. If you plan to add new appliances, install a home office, or upgrade to an EV charger, it’s wise to choose a generator with extra capacity now. A slightly larger generator ensures you’re ready for future growth without needing to upgrade again later.