How many watts does it use? Running, starting and per day.

Name: Appliance running and starting watts for backup power sizing
Creator: OutageWatt
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

How to read it

Running watts is what the appliance draws while on. Starting watts is the brief kick a motor needs to start: a backup unit must cover it or it trips. Per day is energy at typical use. For anything that matters, the label on your own appliance beats any table.

Kitchen

Appliance	Running	Starting	Volts	Typical use	Per day	Source
Refrigeratorrange 336–429 kWh/yr for ENERGY STAR models	700 W	2.9 kW	120 V	24 h	1.1 kWh	Generac portable generator wattage chart (RS5500/RS7000 brochure) + ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators (336–429 kWh/yr)
Chest freezer	700 W	2.9 kW	120 V	24 h	590 Wh	Generac portable generator wattage chart (RS5500/RS7000 brochure) (refrigerator/freezer) + ENERGY STAR certified freezers (chest ≈ 215 kWh/yr)
Microwaverange 600–1,500 W	1.0 kW	1.0 kW	120 V	15 min	250 Wh	DTE Energy appliance usage guide (GenerLink worksheet)
Coffee makerrange 750–1,200 W	1.0 kW	1.0 kW	120 V	15 min	250 Wh	U.S. DOE appliance wattages, via Virginia Tech Extension BSE-301
Hot plate / one burner	1.3 kW	1.3 kW	120 V	30 min	650 Wh	DTE Energy appliance usage guide (GenerLink worksheet)
Dishwasherrange 1,200–2,400 W with heated dry	1.2 kW	2.4 kW	120 V	1 h	1.2 kWh	DTE Energy appliance usage guide (GenerLink worksheet)

Water & sump

Appliance	Running	Starting	Volts	Typical use	Per day	Source
Sump pump, 1/3 HP	800 W	1.3 kW	120 V	2 h	1.6 kWh	DTE Energy appliance usage guide (GenerLink worksheet)
Sump pump, 1/2 HP	1.1 kW	3.2 kW	120 V	2 h	2.1 kWh	Generac portable generator wattage chart (RS5500/RS7000 brochure)
Well pump, 1/2 HP (240 V)	1.0 kW	3.1 kW	240 V	1.5 h	1.5 kWh	Generac portable generator wattage chart (RS5500/RS7000 brochure)
Electric water heater, 50 galrange 4,500–5,000 W	4.5 kW	4.5 kW	240 V	2 h	9.0 kWh	DTE Energy appliance usage guide (GenerLink worksheet)

Heating & cooling

Appliance	Running	Starting	Volts	Typical use	Per day	Source
Gas furnace blower, 1/2 HP	875 W	3.2 kW	120 V	12 h	11 kWh	Generac portable generator wattage chart (RS5500/RS7000 brochure)
Space heaterrange 750–1,500 W	1.5 kW	1.5 kW	120 V	6 h	9.0 kWh	U.S. DOE appliance wattages, via Virginia Tech Extension BSE-301
Window AC, 12,000 BTU	3.3 kW	7.2 kW	120 V	8 h	26 kWh	Generac portable generator wattage chart (RS5500/RS7000 brochure)
Central AC, 2 ton	3.8 kW	8.8 kW	240 V	8 h	30 kWh	Generac portable generator wattage chart (RS5500/RS7000 brochure)
Heat pump	4.7 kW	9.2 kW	240 V	8 h	38 kWh	Generac portable generator wattage chart (RS5500/RS7000 brochure)
Dehumidifier	840 W	1.7 kW	120 V	8 h	6.7 kWh	DTE Energy appliance usage guide (GenerLink worksheet)

Medical

Appliance	Running	Starting	Volts	Typical use	Per day	Source
CPAP, no humidifier	30 W	30 W	120 V	8 h	240 Wh	OutageWatt assumption, shown so you can change it
CPAP with heated humidifier	65 W	65 W	120 V	8 h	520 Wh	OutageWatt assumption, shown so you can change it
Oxygen concentrator (home, 5 L)	350 W	350 W	120 V	24 h	8.4 kWh	Philips EverFlo brochure (350 W)

Internet & devices

Appliance	Running	Starting	Volts	Typical use	Per day	Source
Wi-Fi router + modemrange 5–20 W	10 W	10 W	120 V	24 h	240 Wh	EnergySage: Wi-Fi router wattage
Starlink Standard dishrange 75–100 W	100 W	100 W	120 V	24 h	2.4 kWh	Starlink specifications
Starlink Minirange 25–40 W	40 W	40 W	120 V	24 h	960 Wh	Starlink specifications
Phones & tablets charging	20 W	20 W	120 V	3 h	60 Wh	OutageWatt assumption, shown so you can change it
Laptop	50 W	50 W	120 V	6 h	300 Wh	U.S. DOE appliance wattages, via Virginia Tech Extension BSE-301
Desktop computer	200 W	200 W	120 V	4 h	800 Wh	DTE Energy appliance usage guide (GenerLink worksheet)
TV (flat screen)	120 W	120 W	120 V	4 h	480 Wh	DOE appliance wattage list (Utah Division of Water Rights reprint)
Security system	200 W	200 W	120 V	24 h	4.8 kWh	DTE Energy appliance usage guide (GenerLink worksheet)

Lights

Appliance	Running	Starting	Volts	Typical use	Per day	Source
LED lights (about 6 bulbs)	60 W	60 W	120 V	6 h	360 Wh	OutageWatt assumption, shown so you can change it

Laundry

Appliance	Running	Starting	Volts	Typical use	Per day	Source
Washing machine	1.1 kW	3.5 kW	120 V	1 h	1.1 kWh	Generac portable generator wattage chart (RS5500/RS7000 brochure)
Electric dryerrange 1,800–5,000 W	4.8 kW	9.7 kW	240 V	1 h	4.8 kWh	DTE Energy appliance usage guide (GenerLink worksheet)

Garage & EV

Appliance	Running	Starting	Volts	Typical use	Per day	Source
Garage door opener, 1/2 HP	875 W	3.2 kW	120 V	6 min	88 Wh	Generac portable generator wattage chart (RS5500/RS7000 brochure)
EV charging, Level 1 (120 V)range 1.3–1.9 kW, 3–5 miles of range per hour	1.4 kW	1.4 kW	120 V	4 h	5.8 kWh	Plug In America quick guide (mass.gov)

Where these numbers come from

Running and starting watts come from Generac's portable generator sizing chart and DTE Energy's appliance usage guide, which gives a start-up factor for each motor. Daily energy for refrigerators and freezers comes from ENERGY STAR's certified product data rather than nameplate watts, because compressors cycle. Rows marked “OutageWatt assumption” are values no official source publishes (CPAP draw, phone charging, LED lighting): we show them so you can replace them with your own.

Generator charts are conservative by design: older window AC units and TVs drew far more than today's. Type the watts from your appliance's label into Will it run? or the planner for your real numbers. Values checked October 28, 2026.