Typical running and starting watts for 38 household appliances, grouped by room.
Use these numbers to size a generator or power station, then plug them into our power station calculator or generator calculator.
Figures are typical values from manufacturer labels and industry sizing charts. Your appliance may differ, so check its label for the exact number.
| Appliance | Running watts | Starting watts | Typical daily use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (full-size, Energy Star) | 180 W | 1,200 W | 8 h |
| Chest freezer | 100 W | 800 W | 8 h |
| Mini fridge | 80 W | 400 W | 8 h |
| Microwave (1,000 W cooking power) | 1,500 W | — | 15 min |
| Drip coffee maker | 900 W | — | 15 min |
| Electric kettle | 1,500 W | — | 12 min |
| Toaster | 1,100 W | — | 6 min |
| Slow cooker | 200 W | — | 6 h |
| Induction hot plate | 1,800 W | — | 30 min |
| Dishwasher | 1,500 W | — | 1 h |
| Appliance | Running watts | Starting watts | Typical daily use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi router + modem | 20 W | — | 24 h |
| Laptop | 60 W | — | 6 h |
| Smartphone charging | 15 W | — | 2 h |
| LED TV (50-55") | 100 W | — | 4 h |
| Desktop PC + monitor | 250 W | — | 4 h |
| Game console | 150 W | — | 3 h |
| Security cameras + NVR | 30 W | — | 24 h |
| Appliance | Running watts | Starting watts | Typical daily use |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED light bulb | 10 W | — | 6 h |
| Box fan | 60 W | — | 8 h |
| Ceiling fan | 50 W | — | 8 h |
| Window AC (8,000 BTU) | 700 W | 2,000 W | 8 h |
| Portable AC (10,000 BTU) | 1,000 W | 2,500 W | 8 h |
| Space heater | 1,500 W | — | 4 h |
| Electric blanket | 100 W | — | 8 h |
| Gas furnace blower (1/3 HP) | 600 W | 1,400 W | 8 h |
| Hair dryer | 1,500 W | — | 12 min |
| Appliance | Running watts | Starting watts | Typical daily use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPAP (no humidifier) | 40 W | — | 8 h |
| CPAP with heated humidifier | 90 W | — | 8 h |
| Oxygen concentrator (home) | 300 W | — | 8 h |
| Appliance | Running watts | Starting watts | Typical daily use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sump pump (1/3 HP) | 800 W | 1,300 W | 2 h |
| Sump pump (1/2 HP) | 1,050 W | 2,150 W | 2 h |
| Well pump (1/2 HP) | 1,000 W | 2,100 W | 1 h |
| Garage door opener (1/2 HP) | 875 W | 2,350 W | 3 min |
| Aquarium (pump + heater) | 100 W | — | 12 h |
| Appliance | Running watts | Starting watts | Typical daily use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washing machine | 1,150 W | 2,250 W | 1 h |
| Gas clothes dryer | 700 W | 1,800 W | 1 h |
| Circular saw (7 1/4") | 1,400 W | 2,300 W | 12 min |
| Corded drill | 600 W | 900 W | 12 min |
Anything with an electric motor or compressor (fridges, freezers, pumps, air conditioners, washers and power tools) needs a short burst of extra power to get moving. That burst is the starting watts figure. Resistive appliances like heaters, kettles, toasters and lights have no meaningful surge. They draw the same power from the moment you switch them on.
When sizing backup power, add up the running watts of everything you'll use at the same time, then add the single largest "starting minus running" difference. Our calculators do this automatically.
Standard U.S. outlets supply 120 volts. To convert, use watts = amps × volts. A device rated at 5 amps uses about 600 watts. Large appliances such as electric dryers, ranges and some well pumps run on 240 V circuits and can only be powered by generators or home batteries with a 240 V output.
Look for the nameplate label on the back or bottom of the appliance. If it lists amps instead of watts, multiply amps by 120 (volts). For the most accurate figure, measure it with a plug-in watt meter.
Starting (or surge) watts are the brief burst of extra power motors and compressors need to start, usually two to three times their running watts. It lasts less than a second but your generator or power station must be able to supply it.
A modern full-size refrigerator draws about 150–200 W while its compressor runs and needs roughly 1,000–1,200 W to start. Because it cycles on and off, its average draw is closer to 50–80 W, or about 1–1.5 kWh per day.