What Will A 2500 Watt Generator Run?

Before investing in a 2500 watt generator you want to find out what it will run and whether you need something stronger.

If you want to know about the upper limits, a 2500 watt generator can run devices like smaller AC systems, certain circular saws, and electric grills.

You can also choose to run multiple small to medium-sized appliances at the same time.

For example, a 2500 watt generator should be able to power devices like a refrigerator, sump pump, TV, and dishwasher at the same time.

Ideally, you want to figure out the exact starting and running watts your appliances and tools require and what continuous watts the 2500 watt generator you have in mind offers.

The table with appliances below can help you get a rough idea but keep in mind that different brands of devices can still vary.

• Related: 5 Best 2500 Watt Inverter Generators

What can a 2500 watt generator run?

Before checking out the list of examples of tools and devices 2500 watt generators can run you want to know a few things.

First of all, the watt requirements below are for the individual devices.

If you want to run multiple options at the same time, you want to look at the guidelines later in the article.

Something else to note is that 2500 peak watt generators can have different amounts of running watts.

For the table below, I will assume your 2500 watt generator offers at least 2200 running watts but keep in mind that there are also models with less capacity.

Lastly, the watt requirements below are just rough general guidelines. Individual brands can vary.

What will a 2500 watt generator run at the same time?

You will likely already realize that a single 2500 watt generator will not be able to run all the appliances above at the same time.

That being said, you likely also don’t have to stick to just one of these devices.

By following the steps below you can figure out what things your 2500 watt generator will run at the same time:

1. Write down what appliances and tools you want to power.
2. Find or measure the running and starting watts of each of these devices.
3. Add up the running watts of the devices. Your generator needs at least this amount of running watts (or you need to run fewer devices at the same time).
4. People who don’t mind changing in what order they start up their devices can order their devices from highest peak + running watts to lowest. Calculate whether the 2500 watt generator would be able to deal with this sequence.
5. A simpler and more flexible calculation is adding up all the running watts and adding the single highest starting watts to this. This has to be below the 2500 watt capacity of the generator.

By doing this, you would find out that a 2500 watt generator can run appliances like a refrigerator, dishwasher, a few light bulbs, a coffee maker, a blender, and a TV at the same time.

It is worth noting again that what your 2500 watt generator will actually be able to run still depends on your startup order and appliance brand models.

Specific appliances and tools FAQ for 2500 watt generators

Many people also have certain appliances and tools in mind when considering a 2500 watt generator.

You can find some examples of these below.