What Can a 5,000-Watt Generator Run?
A 5,000-watt portable generator usually delivers about 4,000 running watts, with 5,000 watts available for a second or two while a motor starts. To keep it from running flat out, plan on a steady load of about 3,333 watts. Most generators this size have a 240-volt outlet, but check before counting on a well pump or other 240 V load.
Common combinations
Each row assumes everything in it runs at once, with the biggest motor starting while the rest are on.
| 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 | No |
| Whole house with gas heat and gas appliances | 10,905 | 19,105 | No |
| 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)
- 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
- CPAP machine
- Oxygen concentrator
Too big on its own
- Central AC or heat pump (2 ton) (6,000 W to start)
- Central AC or heat pump (3 ton) (9,500 W to start)
- Central AC or heat pump (4 ton) (12,500 W to start)
- Central AC or heat pump (5 ton) (15,500 W to start)
- Electric dryer (6,750 W to start)
- Electric water heater (4,500 W running)
- EV charger (Level 2) (7,200 W to start)
Cost and fuel
A 5,000-watt portable generator typically costs $550–$1,000. To power circuits in your home rather than running extension cords, add an inlet box and a transfer switch or breaker interlock installed by an electrician, usually $600–$1,800.
At a steady 3,333-watt load it burns roughly 0.42 gallons of gasoline an hour, or about 10 gallons a day if it runs around the clock. Lighter loads use less. Store fuel safely and plan how you'll refill during a long outage.
Have a different list? Run the calculator with your own appliances. Nearby sizes: 4,000 W · 6,500 W.