Pumps, tools & outdoor: how many watts they use
Sump and well pumps, garage doors, power tools, pools, hot tubs and EV chargers. The biggest draw here is the ev charger at about 7,200 W; the smallest is the garage door opener at about 875 W.
| Air compressor120 V | 1,000800–1,800 | 2,000 | 0.25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circular saw120 V | 1,4001,000–1,800 | 2,300 | 0.35 |
| EV charger240 V | 7,2001,400–11,500 | — | 10.8 |
| Garage door opener120 V | 875400–1,000 | 2,350 | 0.15 |
| Hot tub240 V | 4,0001,500–7,500 | — | 4.8 |
| Pool pump240 V | 2,000100–2,400 | 4,000 | 12 |
| Sump pump120 V | 1,000700–1,300 | 2,150 | 1.2 |
| Well pump240 V | 1,000670–1,600 | 2,100 | 1.5 |
Guides on this topic
What size generator do I need? A simple sizing method
Add running watts, then the largest starting load. Worked examples for outage essentials, a well pump and whole-house central AC, plus a size chart.
Running watts vs starting watts: what the difference means
Running watts keep an appliance going; starting watts get motors moving. Which appliances surge, why you add only the largest, and rated vs peak.
Generator transfer switch vs interlock kit: what each does
What a generator transfer switch and interlock kit do, what the NEC requires, inlet boxes, manual vs automatic, and why backfeeding an outlet is dangerous.