What size generator for a house on well water?
Check, uncheck or adjust the typical device list below — watts, startup surge and battery size update instantly. Numbers come from U.S. DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer spec sheets, not marketing copy.
1. Check what you need to power
Refrigeration & Freezers
- 1
Kitchen
- 1
Heating, Cooling & Fans
Water & Pumps
- 1
Laundry & Cleaning
Electronics & Office
- 1
- 2
Medical Devices
Power Tools & Outdoor
Lighting
- 4
2. Your sizing
⚠️ Your selection includes 240V equipment (submersible pump / central AC / dryer) — you need a split-phase (120/240V) station or a transfer switch setup. Verify nameplate watts and starting amps before buying; consult a licensed electrician for fixed wiring.
Assumptions: daily hours per device follow DOE / ENERGY STAR duty cycles; capacity adds a 25% margin. Check your appliance nameplates — actual draw varies by model.
3. Best matches from our 6-brand database
- Anker SOLIX F3800~$2,199
- rated 6,000W covers your 2,590W continuous load
- surge 9,000W covers your 8,596W start peak
- 1.5 days of your typical daily use (3,840Wh / 2,485Wh)
- 120/240V split-phase output
Static answer (crawlable summary)
Typical device list: Submersible Well Pump (1/2 HP, 240V)×1, Refrigerator (top-freezer, ~16 cu ft)×1, Router + Modem×1, LED Bulb (60W equivalent)×4, Microwave Oven×1, Phone / Smartphone Charger×2.
Estimated from: Franklin Electric (AID/AIM) · Energy Star Certified Products · Mfr spec class: Netgear KB + measured (ARRIS SB8200) · Energy Star Certified Products (bulbs) · VT Extension table (DOE-derived) · Unbound Solar Power Table (secondary) — some household values are cross-checked class estimates (not single-model nameplates); check your own appliance nameplate before buying.
| Continuous load | 2,346 W |
|---|---|
| Startup peak | 8,596 W (driven by 1× Submersible Well Pump (1/2 HP, 240V)) |
| Daily energy use | 2,485 Wh |
| Recommended capacity | 3,110 Wh (25% margin included) |
| Minimum inverter | 2,590 W continuous |
Frequently asked questions
What size generator for a house on well water?
For a typical setup (Submersible Well Pump (1/2 HP, 240V), Refrigerator (top-freezer, ~16 cu ft), Router + Modem, LED Bulb (60W equivalent) and Microwave Oven, plus 1 more device), you need at least 2,346W of continuous power. The single biggest moment is startup: when 1× submersible well pump (1/2 hp, 240v) kicks on, the momentary draw peaks at 8,596W. For a full day of runtime we recommend at least 3,110Wh of battery capacity (your devices use about 2,485Wh per day, plus a 25% margin for a full day of use).
Which power stations can handle this?
Based on published specs, Anker SOLIX F3800 covers the 8,596W startup peak and delivers 1.5 days of typical daily use. Check the comparison cards above for the full numbers.
Why is the startup surge higher than the running watts?
Motor-driven devices (fridge compressors, well pumps, air conditioners) draw 2-5× their running power for a split second at startup — measured as locked-rotor amps (LRA). On this page the biggest spike comes from the Submersible Well Pump (1/2 HP, 240V): a station that only meets the running load will trip or stall when it starts. Data sources: U.S. DOE Energy Saver, ENERGY STAR certified products, manufacturer spec sheets.