How do I figure out my essential loads?
Figure out your essential loads by listing every item you must run during an outage, then checking each nameplate for running watts and starting watts. Add the running watts together and make sure the generator can handle the biggest starting surge on top of that total.
Motors need extra power to start. A refrigerator or pump can draw several times its running wattage for a moment, which is why a total that looks fine on paper still overloads a generator that is too small.
Be honest about what counts as essential. Refrigeration, a few lights, phone charging, internet and any medical device usually make the list. A dryer or electric range probably does not.
Why does air conditioning change the answer in the West Valley?
Air conditioning changes the answer because a central AC draws far more power than all the other essentials combined, so a generator that runs it must be much larger. In a Phoenix area summer, the cooling decision usually drives generator size, cost and fuel use.
Some households accept that the central system will not run and plan for a smaller generator. They cool one room with a mini split or a portable unit, which draws far less power than the whole house system.
Others prefer to run everything. That is a legitimate choice, but it calls for a larger unit, a proper transfer switch and a licensed load calculation.
Do I need a transfer switch?
Yes, a transfer switch is the safe way to connect a generator to a home's circuits. It isolates the house from the utility grid so power cannot flow backward onto lines where utility workers may be working, and it lets you choose which circuits the generator feeds.
Backfeeding through a dryer outlet with a homemade cable is dangerous and illegal in many places. It can energize lines and cause a fire or injury, so never do it.
A licensed electrician installs the transfer switch at the panel, pulls the permit where required, and labels the circuits you chose. Panel work is never a DIY job.
Where can I safely run a portable generator?
Run a portable generator outdoors, well away from windows, doors and vents, and never in a garage or inside the house. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which can build up indoors within minutes and cannot be seen or smelled, so distance and ventilation matter.
Even an open garage door is not enough. Keep the exhaust pointed away from the house and make sure the generator sits on level ground, protected from rain but not enclosed.
Store fuel safely and let the engine cool before refueling. Dust storms and monsoon winds in Arizona can also blow debris, so plan the setup before the weather arrives.
Should I choose gas, propane or natural gas?
The fuel choice depends on convenience and storage. Gasoline is easy to buy but ages in a can, propane stores well for long periods, and natural gas feeds a standby unit from the home's line with no refueling. Each option changes output, cost and upkeep.
Standby generators on natural gas depend on the gas line staying up, which is usually fine, but a licensed professional should confirm the supply size. Propane needs tank storage and refilling plans.
Whatever the fuel, test the generator under load before the monsoon season. A unit that has sat for months can fail when you need it. A licensed electrician can wire the transfer switch and check the setup.
More questions: Home Generators: 12 Most Asked Questions Answered