How Big Of A Generator Do I Need To Run A 5000 BTU Air Conditioner?

Gary Evans
by Gary Evans
Running a generator is the only way to back your AC unit during an outage. However, the generator that you need varies based on the size and capacity of the air conditioner. Follow along as we explore what size of generator you need for a 5,000 BTU air conditioner.

Air conditioners are best known for two things. First off, they are known for providing the kind of cooling people desperately need during the dog days of summer. They are also well known for being voracious consumers of electricity.

For a 5000 BTU conditioner, your generator will need to be at least 2000 watts. While you only typically need 500 to 600 watts for an air conditioner to run, starting it up takes up a lot more power. Also, more than likely, you will have other things running on your generator.

Saving backup power for your air conditioner can help you stay comfortable even during a blackout. Find out how much power you need to prepare for your 5000 BTU air conditioner by reading on.

What Kind of Generator Does a 5000 BTU Air Conditioner Need?

Having an air conditioner at home can make such a big difference. On especially warm days, you can turn the air conditioner on and keep the oppressive heat at bay. For some folks dealing with health issues, being able to rest in a room cooled by an air conditioner really helps.

Even a smaller air conditioner such as a 5000 BTU unit can be a terrific addition to your home. If you want to make sure you can use it whenever you want to, securing a generator is recommended.

So, how big of a generator will you need for that kind of air conditioner? A 2000 watt generator is your best bet. That may seem somewhat surprising to you. After looking up 5000 BTU air conditioners, you may have seen that most of them run at 500 to 600 watts. You may think that all that extra wattage is unnecessary.

Air conditioners are complicated appliances though. Allow us to explain why even a 5000 BTU unit will need a 2000 watt generator by highlighting certain factors.

Starting Wattage

Let’s begin by first discussing an air conditioner’s starting wattage capacity. Most air conditioning units have two wattage requirements. First, you have the operating requirements. That’s typically the lower number.

In 5000 BTU units, the operating wattage requirement usually ranges from 500 to 600 watts. The operating wattage requirement is likely what you saw while researching 5000 BTU air conditioners.

The starting wattage is separate from that. As the term indicates, the starting wattage refers to how much power is needed to kickstart the air conditioner. Because the air conditioner’s compressor requires a lot of energy to kick in, the starting wattage is also often significantly higher.

The specific number tends to vary, but many 5000 BTU air conditioners have a starting wattage requirement of 1000 watts. Some units may require something closer to 1200 watts. Once the air conditioner has powered on, its electricity demands will lower.

Efficiency Rating

The efficiency rating of your air conditioner will also play a role in determining what kind of generator it needs. Low-efficiency units will require more wattage while high-efficiency units can do more with less power.

You can tell how efficient an air conditioner is by looking at its EER or energy-efficiency ratio. What you’re looking for here is an air conditioning unit with an EER of at least 10. An EER of 10 is standard for a 5000 BTU air conditioner. If you can find something with a higher rating, that would be even better.

Location of Your Home

The location of your home matters a great detail when determining how much power your air conditioner will need. Factors such as the climate in your area and the elevation of your home can affect energy requirements.

Generally speaking, air conditioners need more power at higher altitudes. They also need that extra bit of juice when they’re being used on an especially warm day.

Using a 2000 watt generator to power your 5000 BTU air conditioner saves you from dealing with those issues. Even if your air conditioner requires additional power on certain days, your 2000 watt generator can still meet the demands.

Age of the Air Conditioner

The age of your 5000 BTU air conditioner will also play a role in determining how much power it needs. Older models will often need more power to operate as intended. Poorly maintained air conditioners also become less efficient over time.

How Much Space Can a 5000 BTU Air Conditioner Cool Down?

If you don’t have an air conditioner yet, a 5000 BTU unit will look like a very appealing purchase. 5000 BTU air conditioners are often accompanied by lower price tags. They make a ton of sense for folks looking to secure comfortable cooling without emptying their bank account.

Do note however that 5000 BTU air conditioners have some limitations. To be more specific, they cannot properly cool down large rooms. A 5000 BTU air conditioner can work for rooms that range in size from 100 to 200 square feet. The air conditioner will struggle to work on rooms any bigger than that.

Other factors can also impact how effectively a 5000 BTU air conditioner cools your home. The climate in your area and the elevation of your home will again affect the effectiveness of the air conditioner. Close the curtains when you turn on the air conditioner to optimize cooling.

You should also consider the layout of the room. The rooms with high ceilings often need more powerful air conditioners.

Lastly, you should also note how many people often use the room. The presence of more people leads to greater cooling needs. If you’re using the 5000 BTU air conditioner for your living room, it may struggle somewhat.

What Other Items Can You Run on the 2000 Watt Generator?

Pairing a 2000 watt generator with a 5000 BTU air conditioner is smart if you want to use other items. Now, you cannot just plug in any item you want. You have to be careful because you don’t want to overload the generator.

With the air conditioner already running, you have to be more selective with the other items. Electric fans can be used along with an air conditioner. Use the fan to spread the cool air around the room faster. That works as a temporary solution if you’re using the 5000 BTU unit on a room bigger than 200 square feet. Pedestal, tower, and wall fans will only need about 60 watts individually.

You can also turn on some lights while the air conditioner is running. Lights top out at around 100 watts. Switching on one or two lights should be fine.

The generator may also be able to power an air conditioner and your laptop charger simultaneously. Laptop chargers will need about 500 watts at most. Just make sure nothing else is switched on if you’re using the laptop and air conditioner at the same time.

Powering your television via the generator should also be possible because it only needs a maximum of 300 watts. Take that opportunity to catch up on the news and find out why the power is currently out in your area.

Should You Push Your 2000 Watt Generator to the Limit?

Air conditioners use less energy when they’re already running. Theoretically, you should be able to turn it on, wait for it to run normally, and plug-in numerous other items.

Using a fan or a laptop charger along with a running air conditioner should turn out fine. However, plugging in numerous appliances simultaneously when the air conditioner is running can turn out badly. That holds true even if you seemingly have wattage to spare.

Pushing the generator to the limit can lead to the emergence of harmonic distortion. Harmonic distortion usually emerges when a generator is asked to supply power above 75 percent of its rated capacity.

You shouldn’t disregard harmonic distortion because it can do real damage to your appliances. The damage done to the appliances may even turn out to be permanent. Be more selective with regards to how you use your 2000 watt generator. If you want to use numerous other items along with the air conditioner, the solution is to get a larger generator.


Related Questions

How Much Do 2000 Watt Generators Cost?

2000 watt generators are typically portable models as well. Compared to whole house generators that have to be installed, portable generators are significantly more affordable.The high-end price for a portable generator is $1200. If you’re hunting for bargains, you may find something with a price tag closer to $300.Portable generators are great purchases if you only need them in emergency situations. Homeowners who have to deal with blackouts often may be better served to save up for a whole-house model.


What Is a “Low Voltage Startup” Air Conditioner?

You may stumble upon a “low voltage startup” air conditioner while shopping. As you’ve probably already guessed, this model requires less power to start up.The manufacturer will usually indicate what the starting wattage capacity is for low voltage startup units. Look for those numbers along the sides of the air conditioner. Pay attention to those numbers because those models may pair better with the generator you already have.

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Gary Evans
Gary Evans

Gary Evans is passionate about home improvement. He loves finding out how to make improvements in the easiest, most practical, and most affordable ways. Upgrading his home kitchen is one of his ongoing hobbies. Gary is also a long-time content creator and enjoys spending his free time tending to his hydroponic vegetable garden.

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