A small, portable generator can power a window AC unit if it has the right wattage rating. Any window air conditioning unit can be powered by a generator. However, you may not be able to power many other appliances plus an AC window unit, depending on the size of the generator. Wattage is the primary unit of measurement used to determine how much a generator can handle. If you are considering purchasing a generator to power a window AC unit and additional appliances, you need to do basic math and planning to determine if the generator you choose is sufficient. Wattage Wattage (W) is the basic unit of measurement for electric power. It is defined as amperage (current or electrical flow) multiplied by voltage (electric potential). All appliances that plug into a standard duplex receptacle in the United States operate on a nominal 120 volts (V). The actual volts present at the outlet depends on a number of factors, including the electrical utility, and the length and size of the cable feeding the outlet.

However, you can reasonably expect that a properly installed duplex receptacle on a 120-V circuit has between 110 and 125 volts present. Amperage (A) varies from unit to unit. Typical Window Unit Wattage Window AC units have two watt ratings: starting wattage and running wattage. Starting wattage is higher because as the machine starts up and the motor begins to turn, amperage spikes as the motor draws higher current to overcome inertia and starting friction. A typical starting wattage for a window unit is 2200. Once the motor is running steadily, the amperage drops and the wattage usually is around 1500. Your unit may have different ratings. Examine the nameplate or the specifications in the manual to determine how much power your AC unit uses. Generators There are generators for just about any situation. The smallest generators are portable gas-powered units. The largest industrial-size generators can power a whole facility. A homeowner is likely to have either a small, portable generator or a whole-house generator.

Electricians generally install a generator, which is wired to a sub-panel or the main panel, depending on its size and specifications. Connecting your generator to an electrical panel allows for more efficient and safer power distribution throughout a house. Generator Wattage Generators are rated according to the maximum wattage they can handle. A typical portable generator for emergency use by a homeowner might be rated 4000 to 7500 W. Whole-house standby models typically are rated 25,000 W or higher. average cost to replace 2 ton ac unitIf you are considering purchasing a generator, deciding what size to buy is not as simple as adding up the watts of the appliances you'll use. ac unit thermostatJudicious power management strategies can help maximize the potential of your generator. hvac unit install

References Honda: Wattage Estimation GuideNorthern Tool + Equipment: Generators Buyer's Guide Photo Credits Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionTip: Don't just add up the total wattage for everything you wantSee our section on power management to learn how to use a smaller generator to power more. More help on determining Refrigerator or Freezer (Energy Star) as indicated on bulb (i.e. 60W) as indicated on bulb (i.e 60W) Furnace Fan, gas or fuel oil Coffee Maker (4 cup) Electric Range (8-inch element) Window Air Conditioner (10,000 BTU) Tip: Don't just add up the total wattage for everything you want Hair Dryer (1600 watts) Microwave Oven (650 watts) See the chart below to estimate your power needs. Bench Grinder (8 in.) Circular Saw (Heavy Duty, 7 1/4 in.) 3/8 inch, 4 amps 1/2 inch, 5.4 amps Electric Chain Saw (14 inches, 2 hp) Hand Drill (1/2 in.) High-pressure Washer (1 hp)

Table Saw (10 in.) Capacitor Start Induction Run Capacitor Start Capacitor Run Electric Fence, 25 miles Milker (vacuum pump, 2hp) Portable Heater (kerosene, diesel fuel) 60 amp with 250-amp boostYou can run your window air conditioner from an inverter. The most common way to use an inverter is when changing from alternating current, or AC, when going off the grid. By going off the grid, you will be using direct current, or DC electricity, from a sustainable energy source like solar, windmills or water. The inverter converts the DC current into AC current so that regular household appliances can be run from typical household sockets. The Electrical Basics An inverter is part of a 12-volt DC system. For practical purposes, it takes 11 amps of DC power to successfully run a 1-amp AC powered device. If you have a 5-amp window air conditioner, you will need 55 amps of DC power to run the unit continuously. However, all electrical appliances have a starting surge that gets the motor running.

This is generally five times the continuous electrical load, which means that, in this instance, you will need 275 amps of DC power to start the 5-amp air conditioning unit and then a continuous 55 amps to keep it running. The Air-Conditioning Unit The smallest window air conditioners that are designed for a single room, usually in the 5,000 BTU range, use about 4 to 5 amps of power when running. A larger whole house unit that puts out 12,000 BTU will use about 11 amps of power when running. The surge on an 11-amp unit will be about 360 DC amps while the surge on a 4-amp unit will be about 130 amps. In this case, using the smallest air conditioning unit possible will enable you to use a smaller and less expensive inverter. The Power Source In real terms, all the inverter does is to transfer a specified amount of power to operate any given AC electrical unit, including air conditioners. Although the inverter must be rated to accept the high amperage rating that an air conditioner will pull through it, all inverters get their power from a power source like storage batteries or direct hook-ups to solar panels, windmills or hydropower.