What Can a 26 kW Generator Run?
A 26 kW home standby generator puts out about 26,000 watts on propane and roughly 23,400 watts on natural gas. It starts automatically when the power goes out and switches your home over through an automatic transfer switch.
Common combinations (natural gas)
Each row assumes everything in it runs at once, with the biggest motor starting while the rest are on, and keeps about 20% headroom.
| Load | Running W | Starting peak W | Fits? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fridge, freezer, lights and Wi-Fi | 790 | 1,990 | Yes |
| Same, plus a 1/2 HP sump pump | 1,840 | 3,040 | Yes |
| Gas furnace, fridge, lights and TV | 1,440 | 2,640 | Yes |
| Well-water home essentials (1/2 HP well pump) | 1,790 | 2,990 | Yes |
| Essentials plus a window AC | 1,640 | 3,440 | Yes |
| Essentials plus 3-ton central AC | 5,080 | 11,380 | Yes |
| Whole house with gas heat and gas appliances | 10,905 | 19,105 | Yes |
| Whole house, all-electric | 21,730 | 29,930 | No |
Runs on its own
- Sump pump (1/3 HP)
- Sump pump (1/2 HP)
- Well pump (1/2 HP)
- Well pump (3/4 HP)
- Well pump (1 HP)
- Refrigerator
- Freezer (chest or upright)
- Microwave
- Coffee maker
- Electric cooktop (2 burners)
- Dishwasher
- Gas furnace blower (1/3 HP)
- Gas furnace blower (1/2 HP)
- Boiler, gas or oil (burner + circulator)
- Central AC or heat pump (2 ton)
- Central AC or heat pump (3 ton)
- Central AC or heat pump (4 ton)
- Central AC or heat pump (5 ton)
- Window AC (10,000 BTU)
- Space heater
- Dehumidifier
- LED lighting (whole house)
- Wi-Fi router + modem
- TV
- Computer + monitor
- Phone & laptop chargers
- Garage door opener (1/2 HP)
- Washing machine
- Gas dryer
- Electric dryer
- Electric water heater
- EV charger (Level 2)
- CPAP machine
- Oxygen concentrator
Too big on its own
- Nothing on our list
Is 26 kW the right size?
At this size you can usually run larger electric loads too, such as an electric water heater or range, alongside central AC.
Installed cost includes the unit, automatic transfer switch, concrete pad, gas line and permit; it varies widely by region and how far the generator sits from your gas meter and electrical panel.
Check your own list with the generator size calculator. Nearby sizes: 24 kW.