When the power drops in New York, life changes fast. The furnace shuts down, the fridge starts warming, and the basement sump pump stops protecting against water. That is when the right size generator becomes more than a convenience. It is peace of mind.

Too small of a system leaves you choosing which appliance to plug in. Too big, and you end up paying for power you do not really need. So, the question comes up a lot: what size generator do I need? At Home Power Systems, we help families in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, and surrounding areas answer that question every day.

Factors to Determine Generator Size

Every house is different. A small ranch in Rochester does not need the same setup as a big family home outside Buffalo. Here are the basics to think about:

• Essential appliances: Refrigerators, freezers, and sump pumps are top of the list. In winter, you want the furnace blower running too.
• Heating and cooling: Syracuse winters can drag on, so heating loads matter. Rochester summers are hot and humid, so air conditioning can also factor in.
• Home size and layout: More square footage means more lights, outlets, and systems drawing power.
• Lifestyle needs: If you work from home or use medical equipment, you will want more coverage than just the bare minimum.

Our team at Home Power Systems walks through each of these points during a sizing visit, so nothing gets overlooked.

Calculating Your Power Requirements

The math is not hard, but it takes some attention. Every appliance has a wattage number. Add them up, then give yourself a margin for startup surges.

Here are a few approximate examples common in New York homes:

• Furnace blower: around 1,500 watts
• Refrigerator: about 700 watts
• Basement sump pump: close to 900 watts
• Lights and phone chargers: about 500 watts
• TV or router: about 800 watts

If you run all of those at once, you are already around 4,400 watts. Now add 20 to 25 percent for startup surges. That is why a 5,000 to 7,500 watt unit covers a lot of small homes. Larger houses add ovens, well pumps, or air conditioning, which bump the numbers up quickly.

Not sure where to start? That is normal. Home Power Systems does power requirement assessments to take the guesswork out of it.

New York-Specific Considerations

Sizing a generator here is not the same as in other parts of the country. The weather alone changes the math.

• Syracuse: Snow and ice storms can drag out outages for days. Larger standby generators keep heat, hot water, and kitchen appliances running without interruption.
• Rochester: Weather swings mean you may need power for both air conditioning in July and heating in January. That kind of flexibility calls for careful sizing.
• Buffalo: Lake-effect storms can shut things down fast. Whole-home coverage is often the safer call when outages stretch past a few hours.
• Fuel access: In city neighborhoods with natural gas, standby units can run indefinitely. Rural homes that depend on propane or gasoline need the right fuel storage to match generator size.

Our team has installed systems across these areas, so we know how local weather patterns play into sizing.

Choosing the Right Generator Size

Here are some general ranges we see most often:

• Smaller homes or apartments: A portable generator in the 5,000–7,500 watt range keeps essentials like the fridge, sump pump, and a few lights going.
• Medium to large homes: A standby unit in the 10,000–20,000 watt range can handle heating, cooling, and everyday appliances without juggling.
• High-demand households: Homes with well pumps, home offices, or medical equipment may need systems sized above 20,000 watts.

At Home Power Systems, we do not use guesswork. We match the generator to your actual household demand and explain why a certain size makes sense.

Why Choose Home Power Systems for Generator Sizing

Generator size is not just a number. It is about knowing what your home needs and how New York weather affects it. Home Power Systems has been helping families across Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse for years, and we bring that local experience to every home we serve.

When you call us, here is what you can expect:

• A clear assessment of your home’s power needs
• Professional installation of portable and standby systems
• Maintenance support to keep units reliable year-round
• Local knowledge of outage patterns and weather challenges in New York

If you are asking what size generator do I need, the answer depends on your home. That is where we come in.

Be Ready for the Next Outage

Power outages are not rare in New York. The right size generator keeps your home safe and comfortable through the storms, snow, and high winds that knock out the grid.

Contact Home Power Systems today to schedule an assessment. We will help you find the right generator size for your home in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, or anywhere in between.