What Can A 2200 Watt Generator Run?

If you buy through the affililate links in this article, we may get a commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more.

Photo of author
Last Updated On

Some of the biggest appliances a 2200 watt generator can run include a small window air conditioner, a refrigerator, or an electric grill.

You can also use a 2200 watt generator to run certain combinations of smaller electrical devices like a coffee maker, TV, few light bulbs, laptop, and slow cooker.

To play things safe, you likely want to figure out the power needs of your situation with the table and steps below and see whether a 2200 watt generator would be strong enough.

What will a 2200 watt generator run?

A 2200 watt generator will typically be able to run the following devices separately:

Appliance Or ToolRunning WattsAdditional Starting Watts
Coffee Maker600 Watts
Incandescent Light Bulbs60 Watts
Refrigerator800 Watts1400 Watts
11,000 BTU RV Air Conditioner1010 Watts590 Watts
Window Air Conditioner (10,000 BTU)1500 Watts700 Watts
Sump Pump (⅓ HP)800 Watts500 Watts
Flat Screen TV120 Watts
800 Watt Microwave Oven1300 Watts
Dishwasher220 Watts320 Watts
Electric Frying Pan1500 Watts
Electric Grill1650 Watts
Slow Cooker270 Watts
RadioUp to 200 Watts
Portable Fan40 Watts80 Watts
Laptop250 Watts
Printer600 Watts
Toaster1200 Watts
Blender400 Watts450 Watts
Air Fryer1600 Watts
Garage Door Opener720 Watts720 Watts
Cell Phone Charger25 Watts
Radiant Heater1300 Watts
Hair Dryer1800 Watts100 Watts
Vacuum Cleaner1400 Watts
Pressure Cooker1200 Watts
Iron1200 Watts
Electric Drill600 Watts300 Watts
Table with what things a 2200 watt generator will run

Keep in mind that a 2200 watt generator will not always be able to run combinations of the devices above.

Additionally, 2200 peak watt generators can still vary in terms of the number of running watts they have.

The list above assumes you have at least 1800 running watts to work with but there are also 2200 watt generators that “only” have 1600 running watts.

Lastly, keep in mind that the numbers above are just rough general estimations. Your individual devices can vary in terms of power needs.

Will a 2200 watt generator run a refrigerator?

Yes, a 2200 watt generator is typically enough to run a refrigerator. However, you do want to check the power needs of your appliance and how much electricity is lost while getting the power from the generator to the refrigerator.

Especially because there is a refrigerator full of food on the line.

Will a 2200 watt generator run an RV air conditioner?

Yes, a 2200 watt generator will typically run a small 11k BTU RV air conditioner since this often needs around 1600 starting watts and 1010 running watts.

However, a 2200 watt generator would typically not be able to run a 13,500 BTU RV air conditioner since this needs around 2800 starting watts.

Will a 2200 watt generator run a furnace?

No, a 2200 watt generator will typically not be able to run a furnace. Even just a furnace fan tends to require more than 2200 watts to get started.

Will a 2200 watt generator run a sump pump?

Yes, a 2200 wat generator will be able to run some 1/3 HP sump pumps since these only need around 2200 watts to start.

However, 2200 watt generators will typically not be able to power sump pumps with more HP. Some 1/3HP sump pumps need more watts too.

Will a 2200 watt generator run a camper?

No, a 2200 watt generator will not always run a camper. Certain combinations of devices inside this mobile home will be too much.

A 2200 watt generator is enough to power a few small to medium appliances but more than that and/or with an air conditioning you likely need something stronger.

Will a 2200 watt generator run a house?

No, a 2200 watt generator will typically not be able to power a standard house appliance setup.

However, a 2200 watt generator can theoretically still run a few small appliances in your house.

Will a 2200 watt generator run a TV?

Yes, a 2200 watt generator will typically run a TV since a flatscreen TV will generally only need 120 watts and a tube-type TV 300 watts.

What will a 2200 watt generator run at the same time?

A 2200 watt generator will typically be able to run a coffee maker, radio, TV, a few light bulbs, a fan, a laptop, and a cell phone charger at the same time.

You can figure out what other device combinations a 2200 watt generator can run by following these steps:

  1. Note down the devices you want to power together with their running and starting watt estimations or measurements.
  2. Add up the running watt requirements. This sum has to be smaller than how many running watts your 2200 watt generator offers.
  3. If you don’t mind starting with your highest peak watt device, you want to order your devices from biggest to smallest starting + running watts and figure out whether you will go over the peak watts of your 2200 watt generator.
  4. If you want a lot of flexibility in the order of the devices you power, you want to add the highest starting watts to your total running watts. The starting watts of your 2200 watt generator would have to be higher than this.

Details like whether you are willing to follow a certain start order and the brands of your individual devices will influence what your 2200 watt generator can deal with.

Photo of author

Author:

Mats is the founder and head editor of Generator Decision. With a combination of critical thinking, tireless research, and a healthy interest in electronics he helps people find the right generators and how to use these. At this point in the journey, Mats has done research on hundreds of portable generators.