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Yes, a 6,500-Watt generator will run your 1 or 2-ton heat pump. This is because the 6,500W power generator provides at least 6,500 starting Watts (usually more, depending on the specific model) that are required to get small heat pumps to start.
A bigger heat pump will require significantly more startup Watts. For example, you won’t be able to run a 2.5 or 3-ton heat pump with a 6,500W portable generator, because it can’t deliver more than 7,000W of startup power. However, there are certain models of generators that can boast much higher than usual starting Watts, like this Champion Power Equipment 100891 which delivers a whopping 9,375 starting Watts with just 7,500 running Watts. The latter is able to run a 2.5-ton heat pump.
You must always refer to a specific heat pump and a specific generator that you’re going to use. The rule of thumb is to get a generator that provides starting watts that are 3 times bigger than the power consumption of a heat pump.
Running a heat pump with a 6500-Watt generator
A 6,500W generator should start a 2-ton heat pump without any issues. A 2-ton heat pump requires about 4,800 Watts to 6,120 Watts of electricity to start up, depending on the model.
After the initial start, the energy consumption of your heat pump will be 3 times smaller, so you can also plug in additional appliances to your generator.
The size and energy efficiency are the main factors that influence the heat pump wattage. A larger pump requires more power to run. Sizes range from 1-ton to 6-ton for the typical residential heat pump system.
Once again, a 6,500W generator is ideal for a heat pump of up to 2-ton.
Depending on the SEER of your heat pump, it will consume more or fewer Watts. The higher the SEER, the more efficient your heat pump’s power consumption would be. Getting a more energy-efficient heat pump will allow for less consumption and therefore fewer wattage requirements for your generator.
The SEER ratings typically range from 14 to 22 SEER. A 23.5 SEER heat pump is the most efficient option currently available.
Any kind of 6,500W portable generator is going to work fine when running a heat pump. You can use gas, propane, or a dual-fuel model. The only difference would be the run time of a generator until a refueling and/or an oil change is required.
Gas-powered generators are typically made to run up to 8 to 14 hours per day. A propane generator is easier to run continuously as you can just keep changing the LPG tank as soon as it gets empty. An oil change is also required for any kind of generator and the interval should be listed in the manual.
How to run a heat pump with a 6,500-Watt generator
You can use a portable or a whole-house generator for a heat pump. In case it is a standby generator, you just need to make sure the heat pump is connected to your home’s electric grid and a generator is set up to run each time there is a power outage.
There are a lot of portable gas-powered generators available that deliver 6,500 Watts or more of power. However, you should never run a gas generator inside your home. Portable gas generators should generally be kept at least 20 feet away from buildings, requiring you to use a sturdy extension cord to run a heat pump and other appliances inside the house.
A propane generator is typically installed outside your home by a professional electrician. It often sits at least 5 feet away from the house as it is more eco-friendly. You’d still need an extension cord between the generator and your heat pump, but, it will be a shorter cord of a smaller thickness.
Since you will be running a generator outside for an extended period (hours or days), you’d also need to take care of a rain cover for it. You don’t want it to get wet and eventually damaged.
Because of the frequent voltage spikes that a conventional portable generator will produce it is recommended to either use it alongside a voltage regulator or use an inverter generator instead, as your heat pump is a costly sensitive electric device.
How many Watts does a heat pump use per hour?
The typical heat pump uses about 802 Watts to 5,102 Watts per hour per ton. A high-efficiency heat pump uses less electricity. A 1-ton 14 SEER heat pump may use about 1,020 Watts per hour, while a 22 SEER version may use about 802 Watts.
What size generator do I need to run a 2-ton heat pump?
You may need at least a 6,500-Watt generator to run a 2-ton heat pump. A 2-ton heat pump may require about 4.8 to 6 kWh to start and 1.6 to 2 kWh to run. A 6,000-Watt generator may occasionally fail to start a low-efficiency heat pump, making a 6,500-Watt generator a safer option.
What size generator do I need to run a 3-ton heat pump?
Running a 3-ton heat pump with a 6,500 generator is not possible, because, this heat pump requires 9,000W of startup power. This means you’re going to need a more powerful generator that is normally going to produce around 8,000 running Watts and 10,000W startup.
How many Watts does a typical heat pump use?
A heat pump may use 800 to 5,000 Watts per hour. A 1-ton 14 SEER heat pump uses about 1,020 Watts per hour. For example, a 3.5-ton 14 SEER heat pump uses about 3,571 Watts per hour. It is recommended to get at least 18 SEER heat pump if you want to conserve electricity and decrease the environmental impact.
How do I choose a generator for a heat pump?
Choose a generator based on the heat pump wattage. For example, if the heat pump needs at least 6,000 Watts to start up, the generator should be able to deliver at least 6,000 Watts. However, you should add a little more capacity to ensure that your appliance starts. So, in this case, a 6,500W generator will work better.
There is also a simple formula that you can use, depending on your heat pump running Watts rating. You just need to multiply the Watts requirement of your heat pump by 3. So, for a 5,000W heat pump, you’re going to need a portable or a whole-house generator that can produce 5,000 * 3 = 15,000W of starting power. Usually, these generators are marked with something like “15000 Watt Gas or Propane Powered generator”, for example, DuroMax XP15000EH produces 12,000 running Watts and 15,000 peaks (or starting) Watts.
Will a 20kw generator run a heat pump?
A 20kW generator should be more than sufficient to run a heat pump. A 5-ton (60,000 BTU) heat pump needs between 12,000 and 15,000 Watts (12kW to 15kW) from a power source to start up and 4,000 to 5,000 Watts per hour to keep running.
